One of the fine homes in the south part of Fort Dodge is the residence
at 1234 6th Ave. S. whose history dates back to the 1870s. Familiarly
known as the Griffith home, it was occupied by the Frank Griffith family
for many years.
City assessor records show the original portion of the home at this
location was built in 1871, but was remodeled, enlarged and modernized
years later. Located on parts of two lots, the house has a 93-foot
frontage on Sixth Avenue South and 106 feet on Thirteenth Street.
[Illustration: The Griffith home
1234 6th Avenue South]
John F. Duncombe, pioneer attorney here, was the first owner of the
property before a house was erected there. He sold the lots in 1861 to a
William Kellner who, in turn, disposed of the property to William C.
Young. The original house is believed to have been built by Young as he
retained ownership of the property until 1883.
Frank W. Griffith, an architect who later was manager of the U. S.
Gypsum plant here, purchased the home in 1914. Age of the house is shown
by the fact that its construction includes solid walnut studdings,
walnut floor joists and walnut sheathing. Foundation walls are of
limestone.
The two-story house has a shingle exterior. The first floor has living
room, L-shaped dining room, playroom, kitchen, screened-in porch and
large entrance hall. On the second floor are three bedrooms, bath,
screened-in porch and attic space.
Griffith came to Fort Dodge in 1901 to design the Blanden gypsum mill
located about a mile east of the present Celotex plant. He also
supervised construction of the plant of the American Independent Gypsum
Company organized in 1906.
Griffith then went to Chicago with the United States Gypsum Company and
in 1908 was transferred to Fort Dodge as manager of the local mill and
office. Later he was transferred to Alabaster, Mich., and then returned
to Fort Dodge in 1913 as manager of the U. S. G. plant. He remained as
plant manager here until 1921 when he resigned to resume architectural
work. His son, Stanford W. Griffith, later joined him in the business
and is presently head of the Griffith Company architectural firm here.
The elder Griffith continued work as an architect until his death in
1953.
The Griffith home is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Carney who
reside there.