The two-story house originally had 13 rooms which are now divided into three apartments—two on the first floor and one on the second. Foundation walls of the house are constructed of native limestone and upper walls have four layers of brick measuring 16 inches thick. Larson, a native of Norway, came to Fort Dodge in 1868. Trained in tailoring, he began work in John W. Hardin’s shop, later working in other tailoring shops here. In 1872 he started his own tailoring shop, leasing one side of the room then occupied by C. Rank’s shoe store. Outgrowing the quarters he then moved to Fessler’s building on Central Avenue. A few years later he leased a new brick building owned by Angus McBane and put in a complete line of ready-made clothing in addition to his tailoring department. Business prospered and he bought the building where the store was located. In 1892 Larson retired from active business and devoted his time to other interests here. In later years he was in the banking business as an officer and director of the Security Trust & Savings Bank which operated until the early 1930s. He was also an officer of the Larson Clothing Company which was sold in 1920 to the Glazers. There were three sons and two daughters in the E. G. Larson family. They included Ben P. Larson Sr., Olaf Larson, Clarence Larson, Martina and Louise Larson, who was married to Eugene Gates. Miss Martina Larson resided in the family home until 1935 when it was sold. Present owners of the Larson home are Mr. and Mrs. Orrin R. White who purchased the property in 1947. THE FESSLER HOME [Illustration: The Fessler home 1110 5th Avenue North] One of the city’s most historic houses is this brick residence at 1110 5th Ave. N. built by pioneer storekeeper and Indian fur trader David Fessler. The original portion of the two-story home dates back to 1869 when it was erected by Fessler in the northeast part of the town in order to make it easier to conduct his fur trading business with the Indians who camped in the nearby north woods. Fessler came to Fort Dodge from Germany in 1858 and shortly after arrival opened a trading center and clothing store. He started his fur trading business in his first small home located where the Blanden Art Gallery now stands. It was a considerable distance from this place to the Indian camp so Fessler purchased property in the northeast part of the growing town and built a new home there. The rear of the present home is the original part of the house built more than 100 years ago. The old time brick is still in good condition as are the basement walls made of stone. In pioneer days there were gunslots in the foundation walls for use in event of Indian attacks. The house now has four rooms and bath on the first floor and four rooms and bath on the second floor. The property has changed hands many times in past years and is now owned and occupied by George Bradshaw, Fort Dodge attorney, and daughter, Vivian.