Russell Building

821 Main Street

For more than 150 years, a single building in Adel Public Square Historic District has been continuously maintained, occupied, and reinvested in by the same family. Located at 821 Main Street, it represents one of the most complete and enduring examples of generational preservation in Iowa. It was originally built around 1880s as a hardware store and acquired by J.W. Russell in 1872 for use as Russell Loan & Title Company. The Russell Abstract & Tile Company is the oldest business in Adel.

Today, the property is owned and cared for by the fifth generation of the Glenn family, with a sixth generation actively engaged in both business and preservation efforts. The Glenn name reflects a direct continuation of the Russell family line through marriage, when a daughter inherited the business and passed it on under her married name.  The upper level has been utilized in connection with the business. The exterior of the building was renovated in 2012 as part of Adel’s Community Block Development Grant program and the interior of building underwent a total renovation in conjunction with Russell Abstract’s 150th Anniversary in 2023.

  • Early 1900s

  • 1960s

  • 2012

  • 2023

  • Building Plaque

  • Founder: J.W. Russell

Architectural Survey Research

Narrative Description

This is a 2-story, commercial building of masonry construction. The storefront is divided into three symmetrical bays by brick pilasters extending slightly outward from the main block and a pair of cast iron columns adjacent to the main entrance. On the storefront level, the central bay features a remodeled entrance flanked by storefront windows. Both the door and window cavities have been foreshortened. The appearance of the building would be much improved by returning the door, window, and transom designs to their original configuration* . An iron I-beam separates the first and second floors and supports the latter. The second floor features one window in the central bay and paired windows with arched lintels in the flanking bays. All of these windows possess 1/1 double-hung sash. The brick pilasters described above run vertical through the top of the building and define panel areas above the second floor windows. A brick and pressed metal cornice and pediment crown the building.

The Dallas County Assessor's Office date for the construction of this building-1905-is incorrect. The building dates to the 1970s.

*The entrance, brick, windows, and transom were restored to their original configuration in 2012 (after this site survey)

Statement of Significance

This building is National Register eligible as a contributing resource to the historic district under Criterion A. It calls attention the evolution of land use around the Public Square in Adel and local entrepreneurs' preference to locate businesses within the 800 block of Main Street.

This building is a contributing resource to the historic district because of its significance under Criterion C. The building calls attention to the influence of the Late Victorian styling to its design. (See cover document.) This influence is most evident in the pilastered configuration of the facade; the exuberant cornice with its brickworked pinnacles and pointed-arch pediment; the cast iron columns and I-beam support system on the storefront, and the high doorways, store windows, and transoms on the first floor

Historic Uses*

  • 1872 - Russell started Loan Co.

    L.V. Russell and Son

  • L.V.'s daughter Nancy and husband Harlon Glenn and sons Cedric and Rusy remained in business

Second floor

  • 1907 - Dr. Duncon

  • 1908 - Used for Russell loan and title offices

  • 1957 - 821 1/2 Curtis Gregory Attorney's office

Basement

  • Basement used to be boilers that heated most of Adel’s downtown square

*Survey research completed in 2004 so only includes building uses prior to that time