West Main Street in Marshalltown is renowned for its many historic and distinctive businesses, churches and homes.

One — the “Queen of Hearts Mansion,” as it is referred to by some because of its several heart shaped windows – has fallen into a state of serious disrepair.

“Todd Hollingworth, the owner, took out a demolition permit for the property (607 W. Main St.) and emailed it to our office this morning,” said City of Marshalltown Housing and Community Development Director Deb Millizer on Monday morning.

Millizer said it typically takes five days for her department to approve the permit and added that she did not know if Hollingworth is a Marshalltown resident. Marshall County Beacon records indicate that he owns the neighboring property at 609 W. Main St., which is listed as his mailing address.

On Friday, crews from Alliant Energy were seen using construction equipment to dig into the boulevard in front of the once-stately home. A call to Alliant Energy’s media hotline to ascertain the purpose of their work — believed to be capping the natural gas line leading into the property – was not returned at time of press.

On Friday and Sunday, a man was seen entering and exiting the property’s front door and carrying household-related materials to a vehicle parked on Main Street. The man, who did not identify himself, told this reporter he “had the owner’s permission” to remove items.

Rumors of demolition accelerated when the roof of the large front porch on the once regal property caved in.

As a result, the city of Marshalltown condemned the porch as ” dangerous and unsafe” on Aug. 11, according to a large red condemnation notice affixed to the porch. Yellow caution tape circles the porch.

Serious efforts to save the property began in 2021. In April 2021, Reality Daydream Properties LLC of YouTube Channel fame used social media to raise money to move the home and convert it into a bed and breakfast according to Historical Society of Marshall County (HSMC) archives, an effort the HSMC supported.

“Their actions were commendable, but it fell short,” said HSMC President Michelle Roseburrough.

In 2022, the HSMC was asked to intervene and move the property.

“We thoroughly explored taking this structure and moving it to another location per the owner’s stipulation,” said Roseburrough. “After thoroughly inspecting the structure’s interior and exterior, we determined It was financially beyond the scope of HSMC to do it then and still is. This organization laments the property’s deterioration. The amount of structural damage due to lack of maintenance over the years is significant. We were told by a house-moving contractor the original foundation was too small to support the house. For those who are under the impression that (the) HSMC has any say or the financial resources to offer significant remediation for historic properties or artifacts requiring tens of thousands of dollars in expense may contact HSMC for information. Our current priorities are to maintain our headquarters and museum at 503 W. Main St., Taylor School No. 4 and preserve thousands of valuable county artifacts.”

The HSMC — established in 1908 — does not receive funding for its operations from the federal government, the state of Iowa, Marshall County or the city of Marshalltown. It is a certified 501 c3 not-for-profit organization

Organizational income for operations is derived from membership renewals, a small and diminishing endowment from the Susie Sower Trust and interest earned from certificates of deposits.

The organization employs one part-time staff person. Much of its work is accomplished by a volunteer board of directors.

Roseburrough also said it has faced numerous challenges since the 2018 tornado, COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 derecho.

Catherine Noble of State Center, who extensively remodeled her own private residence in the town and earned placement on the National Register of Historic Places, said she was saddened to see that the “Queen of Hearts” porch had fallen in and its distinctive windows removed.

Noble is knowledgeable about preservation as she and other State Center residents organized to save Watson’s Grocery Store on the town’s Main Street from demolition. It is now a focal point of its downtown and spurred other development.

“Preservation is sound economic development, but many factors come into play. Timing, expense and community interest are critical factors,” she said. “Saving Watson’s led to saving the building that houses Mitchell Family Funeral Home and the development of the Iowa Main Street program in State Center.”

The “Queen of Hearts” was originally built and owned by Newton Carmean, president and treasurer of the Marshalltown Buggy Co. The lot was purchased in 1900 and construction completed in 1901, according to HSMC archives. Carmean hired architects and builders from Chicago to design and build it. The hipped roofs suggest the French Chateau Esque style, with much of its detailing coming from the Colonial Revival style.

One neighbor who offered a comment on the situation was Pamela Siemsen.

“It was beautiful once, but I know it is time … it has to go … it is falling down,” she said.