This large residence at 1302 10th Ave. N., was one of the first
constructed in the Crawford-Armstrong Addition to the city after it was
platted in 1910. Built in 1911 by E. F. Armstrong, a well-known
pharmacist and drug company officer, the house remained in possession of
the Armstrong family until 1948.
[Illustration: The Armstrong home
1302 10th Avenue North]
It was then sold to Dr. J. J. Foley, a Fort Dodge dentist. Following his
death the home was acquired by Arthur H. Johnson and his wife, Ann. The
Johnsons completely remodeled the house giving it a traditional and
attractive English style of architecture.
The first floor has living room, family room, dining room, kitchen and
half bath; the second floor three bedrooms and two full baths. The third
floor has a large bedroom, walk-in storage closet, two double closets
with sliding doors and a built-in chest of drawers. A large recreation
room is located in the basement, complete with sauna bathroom, full bath
and laundry.
Exterior of the house features gray cement walls with tobacco brown wood
trim and roof of heavy split cedar wood shakes. The front porch and
patio area has a red brick wall—bricks being from the old Chicago Great
Western depot which was razed some years ago. Adjoining the house at the
rear is a family room and double garage.
The Johnsons occupied the home until the summer of 1974 when it was sold
to Dr. and Mrs. Gary LeValley. The Johnsons then moved into their new
home at 1640 N. 22nd St.
Armstrong, who built the house at 1302 10th Ave. N., was married to the
former Mary Crawford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Crawford,
well-known early Fort Dodge residents. Mrs. Armstrong was prominent in
Iowa circles and was a member of the State Conservation Commission when
Dolliver State Park was dedicated in 1925. The Armstrongs were parents
of a daughter, Elizabeth.
For many years Armstrong was associated with the Oleson Drug Company as
a pharmacist and vice president of the firm. Later he was in the
Crawford-Armstrong real estate firm and manager of the Fort Dodge
Chemical Company.