The two-family residence pictured here is believed to be the first of its kind built in the city and dates its history back to 1870, according to city assessor’s records. Located at the northwest corner of Third Avenue North and Tenth Street, the house was the homestead of Andrew J. Haviland, noted horticulturist, who came to Webster County in 1855.

Old-time photos of the house show that it has not changed much since it was erected 105 years ago. Of two-story frame construction, the house has two identical apartments with addresses of 926 and 928 3rd Ave. N. Each apartment has a living room, dining room, kitchen and utility room on the first floor; two bedrooms and bath on the second floor.

There is a basement area where old hand-hewn beams can be observed and there is a tunnel leading from the furnace room to the outdoors so as to make removal of ashes easier.

The residence is presently owned by Mrs. John K. Jensen of Palatine, Ill., and her son John K. Jensen Jr. of Green Bay, Wis. Mrs. Jensen is the daughter of K. D. Miller, one-time superintendent of schools in Fort Dodge, who purchased the property in 1939 from the estate of Rowena H. Haviland.

A. J. Haviland was born in Pawlings, N.Y., in 1820 and did some carriage making and contracting in the east before coming to Webster County in 1855. He located in Cooper Township north of the city where he farmed for six years and then moved into Fort Dodge and in 1870 built the Third Avenue North residence. He resided there with his wife, the former Mary Colby, and their four children.

Two years after his arrival in the county he established the Fort Dodge Nursery at the north edge of the city and operated it along with his farm. He was a noted horticulturist and was well-known throughout the northwest part of the state as an authority in this line of work. Following his death in 1888, Mrs. Haviland and children continued to make their home in the old homestead until her death in 1901.

Historians report that “The Evergreens” at the north edge of the city, formerly used as a nursery by A. J. Haviland, was “one of the most beautiful places to be found in or around Fort Dodge.” W. C. Haviland, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Haviland, was credited with planting the first apple trees in Cooper Township. Later he had the large apple orchard at the north edge of the city.