The Judge Lewis House is located in beautiful Winterset, Iowa. Winterset is the county seat of Madison County, home to the world renowned covered bridges made famous by “The Bridges of Madison County” novel and film. Our property is only a few minutes from each of these historic bridges. We are also just minutes away from the Madison County Historical Museum, The Iowa Quilt Museum and the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum.
The Judge Lewis House was built between 1867 and 1869 by Judge William Henry Lewis. Mr Lewis was one of Winterset’s early pioneers, coming here in1864 to settle in a community where he could practice law. Among his other professions, Judge Lewis served as the Mayor of Winterset, and was a teacher as well as a lawyer. Judge Lewis was also Superintendent of the construction of our beautiful courthouse, and we have been told that he was the builder of the beautiful carved stair casings in the building. He moved his wife to their new home, which he had previously built, in 1870. Here he gave up law and began a well known nursery. He called his land “Fairmont,” and it was here that he sold trees and shrubs of all kinds all over the state. The estate is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the “Judge W.H. and Emma Lewis Historic District” – honoring Judge Lewis for his pioneering efforts in horticulture as well as his contributions to the early settlement of Winterset. Included in this designation is the barn (which is now home to several goats, sheep and horses), the summer kitchen which we use as an exercise room (and you can too) 😊 along with the chicken coop, the Judges “garage” and 2 corner stones/hitching posts. Our property also boasts several trees which have been determined to be a part of the original Fairmont Nursery.