This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Ely mansion razed for luxury apartments in Cedar Rapids
The Blair House on First Avenue in Cedar Rapids, built on the 1908 09 site of John Stoney Ely’s grand Cedar Rapids home, was demolished after plans for a $1.5 million luxury apartment project. The 4 1/2 acre site and surrounding parcels were acquired by Reilly Corp of Des Moines in 1963, with excavation starting May 21, 1964 and occupancy slated for June 1, 1965.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
de Blair
Washington, D.C
Blair
Washington
Iowa
First Avenue
Cedar Rapids
John Stoney Ely
John F. Ely
21St Street
23Rd Street
John Montague Ely
Northview
Ely
Elys
John S. Ely
Fifth Precinct
McIntyre
Franklin Junior High
Washington High School
Franklin Building
Reilly Corp
Des Moines
Reilly
John E. Reilly
Boss Hotels Co
Arthur Neuman