Historic Wallace House Photos
The Wallace House is one of two Wallace Centers of Iowa locations, and was the home of Henry and Nancy Wallace from 1892 until Henry’s death in 1916. These photos document 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa during the family’s time in the home.
Most of these photos were taken by Henry and Nancy’s daughter Josephine, who lived in the 16th Street house with her parents and for several years after their deaths. Her photos served as important primary source reference material when the Wallace House was restored after being slated for demolition in the late 1980s.
Josephine Wallace in the garden at 756 16th Street. Behind Josephine outside the garden fence you can see a brick quadplex on the opposite (north) side of Center Street. That building still neighbors the Wallace House today. You can also see that a trolley is passing by on Center Street, which remains a busy bus route today.