Property Description
Bonneyview, believed to be the oldest wood-frame home in Keosauqua—and cited in 1935 as the oldest frame house in Van Buren County—stands as a rare and beautifully preserved piece of Iowa history. This historic property overlooks the Des Moines River and features an attached 11’9” x 13’9” summer kitchen, a charming back porch with river views, and a stone-walled garden complemented by a small orchard of pear, apricot, peach, and plum trees. The home has been thoughtfully restored to reflect the original appearance of each construction period—1840, 1856, 1906, and the 1950s—including masonry, siding, sills, windows, and roofing. The central portion of Bonneyview, named by early owner Estelle Bonney Walker, consists of three rooms on the main level and two bedrooms upstairs. The addition along Franklin St. was completed in 1856, with additional porches and upper-level rooms added in later years. Bonneyview is a classic example of an Iowa pioneer-era home, featuring a large open porch, clean, straightforward lines, and a centrally located chimney. The original structure is constructed of post-and-beam walnut framing with ½” x 8” walnut siding, while the 1856 addition is walnut-framed with pine siding. The home was occupied by the Bonney family from 1848 through the mid-1940s. Josiah Bonney was one of the founders of the Iowa State Democratic Party while his son-in-law William Walker’s father was a founder of the Iowa Republican Party—further adding to the home’s history.
