Overview

Owl's Head - A Hidden Gem tells the stories of a unique Des Moines neighborhood that has maintained the charms of childhood dreams while also housing many who have blazed new trails. Nestled behind major roadway Grand Avenue on Des Moines' west side is a quaint historic neighborhood - Owl's Head. Spanning only about one square block in size, one would never guess this unassuming enclave would have so many fascinating stories to tell. Owl's Head began as a streetcar suburb not long after Iowa became a state in 1846. The homes were built by notable architects of the time with a focus on style, entertaining, and accommodations for staff. It was a haven where affluential residents could escape their downtown career and enjoy the relaxation of nearby parks. Owl's Head has been the home to pioneers who influenced journalism, politics, art, and business innovation at the local, state, and national level. One of the more prominent homes was the official residence of the Iowa governor for 28 years. It is not uncommon for several generations of families to live in the neighborhood or to meet a resident who has resided in their home for well over 40 years. Residents in the neighborhood have socialized with prominent figures such as Louis Armstrong and Theodore Roosevelt. An annual neighborhood Labor Day party has been a tradition since Owl's Head became a historic district in the late 1970s. We invite you to take a stroll through the neighborhood and discover for yourself what makes Owl's Head such a hidden gem.

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9780578887579

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As a third generation resident of the Owls Head neighborhood, I found this book not only historically informative but delightful as well - a pleasure to read! - Dr. Lorn Matthews To paraphrase Sarah Anderson, old homes have souls. Sondra Ashmore and Christine Guzzo Vickery have given voice to these. From observations about the architecture to recitations of historical events to stories about the everyday lives of those who have and do live in Owl's Head, you are welcomed in for a cup of tea. So sit down, enjoy the beauty of these homes, meet the people who built them and slip into the vibrant community that is Owl's Head. It will be a lovely visit. - Lorraine May, Owl's Head Resident This book is an extremely outstanding collection of historical treasures that few people know anything about. I discovered so much from the interesting family histories and learned more about the business and community ties of those living in Owls Head. I am so proud of my great grandparents, W.W. and Mary Witmer, who were the original developers of what is now a National Historic District. My Tone and Witmer families lived in four different homes in this neighborhood. They built the anchor house at 29th and Grand which is also where my grandparents were married and lived for a while. It later became home to six of Iowa's Governors. In recent years it serves as a place for meetings and parties, a perfect place for my family and friends and The Young Wolfe Tones from Dublin, Ireland, to join me to celebrate my 75th birthday. I know a lot of my school friends who grew up in Owls Head will be smiling with their memories when they read this book. Well done. - John Tone

Author Information

Sondra Ashmore, husband Brian, and sons Drake and Dane have enjoyed being Owl's Head residents at 338 29th Street since 2014. She received her bachelor's degree in communications at Iowa State University, master's degrees at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in technical communication and management, and her Ph.D. at Iowa State in Human Computer Interaction. She publishes on software development best practices and methodologies and co-authored the book Introduction to Agile Methods. She has spent her career in the field of technology and is passionate about old homes and historic preservation. Christine Guzzo Vickery worked as a healthcare interior designer in Minneapolis for 31 years before retiring in 2017. She grew up in southeastern Iowa and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa. Her knowledge and interest in interior design and architecture were the reasons she became involved in writing about Owl's Head. In addition to co-authoring this book, she is also the author of the children's book: Nighttime in Owl's Head. She has co-authored two books on healthcare interior design: Modern Clinic Design: Strategies for an Era of Change and Clinic Design: Enhancing the Patient Experience through Informed Design. She has also published numerous family books, including a family history of her Sicilian ancestry: La Famiglia Domenico Guzzo: Eventi La Storia. She lives in Minnetrista, Minnesota with her husband, Peter, and daughter Mei. She is a proud aunt of Sondra Ashmore and enjoyed having the opportunity to work with her on this book. Sharon Larson is a watercolor artist specializing in custom portraits of homes, farms, and pets. Her work has been recognized for its elaborate attention to detail with whimsical flair. She is also acknowledged as a gifted watercolor teacher, having taught at Blackhawk College and other venues. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, where she studied English and writing. Since 1995 Sharon, her husband, and their three children have called Iowa their home. They now grow crops and care for a menagerie of animals on their Long Grove acreage. She's a member of the Beaux Arts executive committee, which helps support the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa. She's the illustrator of a children's book titled Cock-a-Doodle Don't, But Cock-a-Doodle Do and is the author of the eBook Growing Beautiful. To see her recent work or to request a painting, visit slarsonwatercolors.com or follow S. Larson Watercolors on Facebook.

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