Tours & Property Lists

Charles Altfillisch Headshot

Charles Altfillisch Tour

Charles Altfillisch had a greater impact on the present visual character of Decorah than any other single individual. Although our brochure notes his contributions as an engineer and city official, and mentions some of his many designs throughout the upper Midwest, our focus is on his long-lasting and prolific career as an architect in Decorah. We hope the following web-based materials, when used in conjunction with the printed brochure, will be informative and enjoyable.

We would appreciate suggestions, corrections, and additions. Contact the Decorah Historic Preservation Commission (DHPC) by email (historicpreservation@decorah.iowa.gov) or at the Municipal Center (400 Claiborne Dr.; 563-382-3651).

1870 Decorah Birdseye View

What's Still Here: Decorah's Surviving Properties, 1849-1870

This talk and the accompanying photos were presented by Decorah Historic Preservation Commission members Mark Z. Muggli and Judy van der Linden for the celebration of Decorah's 175th (June 15, 2024, Vesterheim Commons). The contents may be occasionally updated.

 

Significant Decorah Properties
(not on the National Register)

“Significant Decorah Properties” is a comprehensive list of buildings that are NOT on the National Register of Historic Places, but that are especially significant and that have considerable integrity. See the PDF list headnote for a detailed explanation of terms, sources, and methodology

Architectural Styles in the National Register in Decorah

This tour surveys the architectural styles present in Decorah’s individual National Register of Historic Places properties and in Decorah’s three NRHP Historic Districts.

Porter House Buzza MZM Trimmed 1600
Phelps Park Bandstand 2 1600
CFL Buzza Trimmed Mzm 1600

The “brochure” links makes available a PDF of the printed brochure typically available in the Decorah Chamber of Commerce lobby. The second link includes the unformatted brochure text with a photo of each individual property.

Historic Church Walking Tour

This walking tour focuses on the six historic churches that lie within a few blocks of each other within the Broadway-Phelps Park Historic District. A printed brochure copy is usually available at the Decorah Chamber of Commerce.