One of the fine homes in the south part of Fort Dodge is the residence at 1234 6th Ave. S. whose history dates back to the 1870s. Familiarly known as the Griffith home, it was occupied by the Frank Griffith family for many years.

City assessor records show the original portion of the home at this location was built in 1871, but was remodeled, enlarged and modernized years later. Located on parts of two lots, the house has a 93-foot frontage on Sixth Avenue South and 106 feet on Thirteenth Street.

John F. Duncombe, pioneer attorney here, was the first owner of the property before a house was erected there. He sold the lots in 1861 to a William Kellner who, in turn, disposed of the property to William C. Young. The original house is believed to have been built by Young as he retained ownership of the property until 1883.

Frank W. Griffith, an architect who later was manager of the U. S. Gypsum plant here, purchased the home in 1914. Age of the house is shown by the fact that its construction includes solid walnut studdings, walnut floor joists and walnut sheathing. Foundation walls are of limestone.

The two-story house has a shingle exterior. The first floor has living room, L-shaped dining room, playroom, kitchen, screened-in porch and large entrance hall. On the second floor are three bedrooms, bath, screened-in porch and attic space.

Griffith came to Fort Dodge in 1901 to design the Blanden gypsum mill located about a mile east of the present Celotex plant. He also supervised construction of the plant of the American Independent Gypsum Company organized in 1906.

Griffith then went to Chicago with the United States Gypsum Company and in 1908 was transferred to Fort Dodge as manager of the local mill and office. Later he was transferred to Alabaster, Mich., and then returned to Fort Dodge in 1913 as manager of the U.S.G. plant. He remained as plant manager here until 1921 when he resigned to resume architectural work. His son, Stanford W. Griffith, later joined him in the business and is presently head of the Griffith Company architectural firm here. The elder Griffith continued work as an architect until his death in 1953.

The Griffith home is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel F. Carney who reside there.