Karl F. Haugen

One of Fort Dodge’s most unique residences is this Spanish-type home at 725 N. 21st St.—built in 1925 by furniture store owner Joe K. Trauerman. The attractive home is now owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lunn and family. Lunn is a Fort Dodge attorney.

The house is similar to those seen in the southwestern United States where Spanish architecture is much in vogue. Exterior of the house is of stucco, painted a pleasing yellow with black trim. Front of the house is distinguished by three arches supported by two black columns. Behind and set back of a small patio area are large French-type doors opening out from the west side of the living room.

A traditional Spanish-type wall extends from the southwest corner of the house to the south lot line, providing privacy for the back yard.

The Trauerman home
725 No. Twenty-first Street

An entry hall just inside the front door leads to the large living room with high beamed ceiling and a Spanish style fireplace. Other rooms include a dining area, kitchen, two large bedrooms and bath and another bedroom over the garage. Just off this bedroom is a veranda over a portion of the garage. The backyard has a large screened-in porch and patio.

Trauerman came to Fort Dodge from Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1921, purchased the C.H. Pill Furniture Store and changed the name to the Home Furniture. He remained in active operation of the store until 1940 when he moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, but retained an interest in the business. The Trauerman home changed ownership several times after that until purchased by the Lunns in 1970.

Harold W. Burch joined Trauerman as an officer of the Home Furniture in 1933, coming here from Clinton. In 1950 Trauerman sold his remaining interest in the business to Burch and the late Kitty Munn. Earlier (in 1947) the Home purchased the McQuilkin Furniture Store, transferred its operations to the McQuilkin building and remained there until 1960. The store then moved to a new building at 611 Central Ave. In 1972 the business was sold to the Kelly Furniture Company. In 1974 the Elliott Home Furniture took over the 611 Central Avenue location.

Trauerman and his wife. Lucille, were parents of three children—two daughters and a son. They are Betty Frantz, Weslaco, Texas; Marjorie, New York City; and Joe Trauerman Jr., Palatka, Fla. The elder Trauerman resides in San Jose, Costa Rica. Mrs. Trauerman is deceased.