The alluring Tudor Revival home, an enchanting work of art, weaves a compelling tale of unyielding ambition. Sets of crown and window fortify this fairytale abode, devoid of a reigning king, city law, or landmarks on which to stake a historical claim. Its essence, however, is powered by the lustrous spirit of Frank P. Mattes, a hometown brewer before Prohibition. Born in a prominent Des Moines German-American family, he shared this yearning for grandeur with his wife, Minnie Y.
Mattes. Together, they conjured a Tudor castle, envisioned by the architectural minds at Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson in 1910. Among the initial examples of this style in Des Moines, this Tudor Revival home, with its majestic house, resplendent garage, and glistening entryways, was established, officially recognized as a historical monument in the city. Following the Mattes, the aristocrats of Kappa Kappa Gamma, a sisterhood from Drake University, graciously assumed the reign in 1959, with two additional intricacies being tastefully added to the estate in 1961 and 1993.
In 2009, the Tudor castle gained the honor of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, standing tall and proud, a testament to the dreams and aspirations of those who dared to dream and build something extraordinary.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
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