A lot of house for the money! C. 1893 Victorian with a tower in Iowa. $250,000.
This is the Lindsay House, also known as the Bloom County House, a Victorian built in 1893 in downtown Iowa City. It has 10 bedrooms, 3 baths and about 4,033 square feet over three stories. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it has served as a private home, a fraternity, apartments and, most recently, a 10-bedroom rooming house.
935 E College St, Iowa City, IA 52240 — $250,000
The Look From the Street
The house sits on a corner lot of about 7,400 square feet in the College Green neighborhood. A wrap-around front porch leads to the entry, and there is an authentic Victorian balcony above it. An octagonal tower rises on one side.
The siding includes fish scale shingles, and a three-story masonry chimney runs up the corner of the house. The listing also points to an artisanal stone-arched window.
Features:
- Built in 1893, three stories
- Wrap-around front porch and Victorian balcony
- Octagonal tower and fish scale siding
- Three-story corner masonry chimney
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
A Piece of Comic Strip History
The listing credits this house as the inspiration for the boarding house in Berkeley Breathed’s “Bloom County” comic strip. That is where the Bloom County House name comes from. The listing also describes it as a piece of Iowa City history with unique landmark status.
Features:
- Also known as the Lindsay House
- Credited as inspiration for the boarding house in “Bloom County”
Rooms of All Sizes
The listing says the house has spaces of all sizes. There are spacious private rooms, plus flexible combo rooms with sliding doors that can work as bedrooms or as multi-purpose spaces. High ceilings and bookcases are listed among the interior features.
Up top, there is a third-floor tower room. The house is set up as 10 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms.
Features:
- 10 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms
- About 4,033 square feet
- Combo rooms with sliding doors
- Third-floor tower room
- High ceilings and bookcases
Antique Details Still in Place
The listing says the house keeps some of its antique elements throughout. That includes doors, baseboards, trim, accents, hardware, windows and glass, and wood floors. It also lists cast iron radiators and bathtubs.
Features:
- Original doors, woodwork, hardware and glass
- Wood floors, along with some vinyl and laminate
- Cast iron radiators and bathtubs
Systems and Maintenance
The listing mentions a new roof in 2021 and updated electrical and heating systems. Heat is steam, which fits with the radiators. Cooling is listed as ceiling fans.
The basement is full, stone and unfinished. A range or oven and a refrigerator are listed as appliances.
Features:
- New roof in 2021
- Updated electrical and heating
- Steam heat
- Full stone basement, unfinished
- Range or oven and refrigerator
Parking and the Lot
There are two off-street parking spaces, listed as tandem. There is no garage. The lot is about 7,405 square feet.
Features:
- 2 off-street tandem spaces, no garage
- Lot of about 7,405 square feet
- Public water and sewer
Schools and Neighborhood
The home is in the Iowa City school district. Longfellow Elementary is about 0.4 miles away and rates a 6 on GreatSchools. Iowa City High is 0.8 miles away and also rates a 6. Southeast Junior High is 1.5 miles away and rates a 4.
Features:
- Longfellow Elementary (PK-5), 0.4 mi, rated 6
- Southeast Junior High (6-8), 1.5 mi, rated 4
- Iowa City High School (9-12), 0.8 mi, rated 6
Price and Taxes
The house first listed on August 1, 2026 at $300,000. The price was cut by $50,000 on September 11, and it now sits at $250,000. That works out to about $62 a square foot. Annual taxes are listed at $9,055.
Features:
- Listed at $300,000, now $250,000
- About $62 per square foot
- Property taxes of $9,055 a year
This one is a lot of house for the money. The listing calls it ready for its next chapter and says it is available now. It also says backup offers are welcome, since the current buyer may cancel the purchase at any time. Someone who wants a big historic house with a story behind it should take a close look.
Full Listing Description
Create your dream home in this piece of Iowa City history!
The iconic Lindsay House (also known as the Bloom County House) features spaces of all sizes.
Highlights include a third-floor tower room, an authentic Victorian balcony, spacious private rooms, and flexible combo rooms with sliding doors that can function as bedrooms or multi-purpose spaces.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this downtown property is credited as inspiration for the boarding house in Berkeley Breathed’s “Bloom County” comic strip.
Authentic architectural details include a wrap-around front porch, a three-story corner masonry chimney, an artisanal stone-arched window, an octagonal tower, fish scale siding, and unique landmark status.
The home preserves some antique elements throughout, including doors, woodwork such as baseboards, trim, accents, hardware, windows/glass, wood floors, cast iron radiators, bathtubs, and more.
Over the years, this versatile property has served as a private residence, a fraternity, apartments, and most recently a 10-bedroom rooming house.
Major maintenance items include a new roof in 2021 and updated electrical & heating systems.
A truly unique, versatile historic home ready for its next chapter, available now!
Backup offers welcome, current buyer may cancel purchase any time for any reason.
All Photos
