Save This Old c.1899 Iowa George F. Barber Queen Anne Under $89K

301 N Jefferson St, Mount Pleasant, IA 52641    $88,500

• Contact Realtor: J. Dennis Ebersole
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• Niche

“Built in 1899 by Joseph Green on a lot he fabricated by purchasing two houses and moving them. He then built a new house for him and his sister Alice, both in their late 40s and unmarried. Their parents were a pioneering family from Pennsylvania who had settled in the Trenton area.

The house he built was another of the famous Barber houses in Mount Pleasant,  constructed from the mail-order plans of Tennessee architect George F. Barber.

Joseph Green was described as a capitalist money lender by profession in the Biographical Review of Henry County.

Although the Mt. Pleasant Daily News marveled at the anticipate expenditure of as much as $10,000 for the structure and its setting, that sum equates to about $340,000 in today’s dollars. It is doubtful that the structure could be built today for anything near that amount of money.” Per southeastiowaunion.com

Pros of Living in Mount Pleasant, IA

1. Affordable Cost of Living

   • The cost of living in Mount Pleasant is significantly below the national average. Local Observer Daily+2Citytistics+2

   • Housing is relatively affordable: Citytistics reports a median home value of around $108,800. Citytistics

   • According to LocalObserverDaily, median rent is pretty reasonable (~$666). Local Observer Daily

2. Strong Local Economy with Manufacturing & Agribusiness

   • Mount Pleasant has a diversified economic base: agriculture, manufacturing, distribution, and agribusiness are important. Wikipedia+1

   • Major employers include manufacturing firms, distribution centers, healthcare, and education. Wikipedia

   • According to ScoutCities, the local workforce is relatively well-educated, which helps economic stability. Scout

3. Good Education Opportunities

   • The Mount Pleasant Community School District runs multiple elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. Wikipedia

   • According to Citytistics, education is listed among the pros. Citytistics

   • There’s higher education presence / legacy: historically, Iowa Wesleyan University was located here. Wikipedia

4. Strong Sense of Community & Historical Character

   • Small-to-mid sized city (population ~9,000) gives it a close-knit feel. Wikipedia

   • Rich history: historic buildings like the Brazelton House Hotel and McCandless Building. Wikipedia+1

   • Cultural events: Old Threshers Reunion, a major annual event celebrating agricultural and mechanical heritage. Wikipedia

5. Good Safety (Relatively)

   • According to Homesnacks, the overall crime rate is significantly below the U.S. average. HomeSnacks

   • Niche gives Mount Pleasant a B+ for crime & safety. Niche

   • According to CrimeGrade.org, the cost of crime per resident is fairly modest (for a city its size). CrimeGrade.org

6. Convenient Commute / Transportation

   • According to DataUSA, the average commute time is just 14 minutes, which is very manageable. Data USA

   • The city has good road connectivity (via U.S. Route 34 and Route 218) per the city’s geography. Wikipedia

👎 Cons / Challenges of Living in Mount Pleasant, IA

1. Limited Job Diversity / Economic Opportunities

   • While manufacturing and ag are strong, other high-growth sectors (like tech) may be less developed, per Luxwisp. Ablison

   • Some community data suggests limited “vibrant” job market growth outside traditional industries. Ablison

2. Crime Isn’t Uniformly Low

   • CrimeGrade.org ranks Mount Pleasant in the 31st percentile for safety, meaning many cities are safer. CrimeGrade.org

   • Property crime (like burglary) gets a C- grade from CrimeGrade.org. CrimeGrade.org

   • The “cost of crime” per resident is nontrivial. CrimeGrade.org

3. Small Population / Limited Urban Amenities

   • As a relatively small city (~9,000), it doesn’t have the scale of big-city amenities. Citytistics lists population size as a “con.” Citytistics

   • Limited public transportation: AreaVibes notes that commuting could be harder, and there may be fewer transit options. AreaVibes

   • For nightlife, entertainment, or diverse restaurant scenes, options may be more limited than in larger metro areas.

4. Income & Poverty Challenges

   • According to LocalObserverDaily, the median household income is about $51,615, which is below the national average. Local Observer Daily

   • DataUSA reports a poverty rate of ~17.1% for Mount Pleasant. Data USA

   • These economic pressures could limit economic mobility for some residents.

5. Aging Infrastructure and Dependence on Traditional Industries

   • The city’s history and size mean some infrastructure may be older or less modernized.

   • Heavy reliance on agriculture and manufacturing makes the local economy potentially sensitive to industry shifts.

6. Limited Higher Education Options

   • While there historically was Iowa Wesleyan University, smaller colleges like this face challenges. (Note: as of some online discussions, closures or financial instability have been an issue.) Reddit

   • Fewer major research universities or large higher ed institutions in the immediate city.