A Fort Dodge couple—Mr. and Mrs. Willis F. Rich—built this large brick
residence at 701 Northwood Ave. in 1924 and have lived there
continuously since then. The Riches planned and constructed the home
more than 50 years ago, have lived there all of this time and also
reared a family of three children there.
The stately English style home was constructed of red brick with a red
tile roof. The house is surrounded by trees and green ivy vines cover
the north and west sides.
The home has large and comfortable rooms on the first floor—living room
with fireplace, sunroom, entry hall, dining room, kitchen, breakfast
room and half bath. All floors are of hardwood. The second floor
includes master bedroom, sleeping porch and three other bedrooms, bath
and sunporch.
Insulation materials were not in use in the 1924 era but architect E. O.
Damon’s plans specified four dead-air spaces to serve as insulation in
the house between the exterior brick wall and the interior plastered
wall. The method worked successfully.
Rich is from a family of bankers, his father E. H. Rich being one of the
early prominent bankers here. He followed in his father’s footsteps and
in 1932 was cashier of the First Trust & Savings Bank and assistant
cashier of the early-day First National Bank. At that time he quit the
bank and went into the property supervision, real estate, insurance and
loan business. Mrs. Rich was his partner in the business.
[Illustration: The Willis Rich home
701 Northwood Avenue]
At one time the Riches were supervising 100 city properties and 45
farms. Later he was president of the Union State Bank of Rockwell City
and director of the Pocahontas State Bank and the Renwick Savings Bank.
Rich has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church here since 1899
and now has the distinction of being a member of the congregation longer
than any other living person. He is a veteran of World War I.
Mr. and Mrs. Rich are the parents of three children. They are Willis F.
Rich Jr. of Minneapolis; Mrs. J. C. (Eunice) Norby of Pasadena, Calif.;
and Robert E. Rich, Centerville. Mr. and Mrs. Rich are trailer
enthusiasts and have visited all the states by trailer except Alaska and
Hawaii. In 1972 Rich sold his business because of impairment in his
hearing and he says they are now enjoying retirement in the “old
homestead” more than ever.