Historic General Dodge House, Council Bluffs: Hours, Address, Historic General Dodge House Reviews: 4.5/5
Historic General Dodge House
Historic General Dodge House
4.5
Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Built in 1869 on the frontier, no expense was spared on this sublime Second Empire Victorian home. The fourteen room, three story mansion stands on a high terrace overlooking the Missouri Valley, and displays such architectural features as parquet floors, mansard roof, cherry, walnut & butternut woodwork, and a number of "modern" conveniences quite unusual for the period: central heating and hot & cold running water. The house was designed by William Boyington, a famous Chicago architect. It has been painstakingly curated with period items, many of them original to the home and the Dodge family.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
95 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
24
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Brendan S
Arlington, VA1,308 contributions
Solo
This is the house of General Dodge, a Civil War hero who was one of the fathers of the transcontinental railroad after the war and made his fortune through that endeavor. I hadn’t heard of Dodge, but he was a pivotal figure in major American events, regularly associating with multiple Presidents and leading an amazing and colorful life. These stories are told at his imposing house, lavishly furnished with many original items and Dodge artifacts. You can tour the house with an audio guide or self-guided tour. I enjoyed learning about this important American hero and businessman and touring the house, almost all of which is open for visitors to see.
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lapolla
Tulsa, Oklahoma79 contributions
Our tour guide, Cindy, was an excellent source of information and enthusiasm as she guided us through the historic General Dodge House. General Dodge has history in both the civil war and the building of the railroads, and so a visit to the General Dodge House includes a broad range of history. Beautiful home - nicely presented - leisurely pace - several items in the home are original to the home. I am so glad we included this home tour on our recent visit to Omaha/Council Bluffs.
Written April 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Owen B
Council Bluffs, IA25 contributions
Family
If you are a history buff then this is a must see. I have been through the house several times and have found new items of interest everytime. Christmas time is a great time to visit, but make sure to check their website as holiday hrs vary. The Didge house was ahead of it's time when built. Council Bluffs was considered the frontier and the launching point of the railroads push westward.
I was amazed at the modern conveniences like hot and cold running water as well central heating. On the first floor is a display of items from the 1800's that is added to on a regular basis. The Dodge house is truly a gem of Council Bluffs.
I was amazed at the modern conveniences like hot and cold running water as well central heating. On the first floor is a display of items from the 1800's that is added to on a regular basis. The Dodge house is truly a gem of Council Bluffs.
Written November 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
IowaEditor
Des Moines, IA30 contributions
Solo
The architecture is interesting, and the period furnishings are wonderfully preserved and arranged. But despite these plusses, there were some major short-comings in my opinion. The biggest: a prohibition against photography inside the building. Unless you are an expert in antiques, you'll probably remember little of your visit. Also, the staff was friendly, but their knowlege of the structure and furnishings was sometimes a bit lacking. Be aware, too, that the staircases are long and steep, so if anyone in your party has mobility issues, this might not be the best experience for them.
Written October 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
reginasue
Dayton, TX137 contributions
Friends
The tour starts in the house next door where you watch a short video and can go upstairs to see a glass exhibit. There is also a very small gift shop. The lady working the desk was very nice and had been volunteering for 30 years so she was very knowledgeable
You then walk to the dodge house the the same lady let us in the front door. It is a self guided tour. You are given a handheld device that you punch numbers in according to your location and they tell you about the room and some of the objects in the room. You could take all the time you wanted.
Very enjoyable well worth your time to visit. Absolutely beautiful home.
You then walk to the dodge house the the same lady let us in the front door. It is a self guided tour. You are given a handheld device that you punch numbers in according to your location and they tell you about the room and some of the objects in the room. You could take all the time you wanted.
Very enjoyable well worth your time to visit. Absolutely beautiful home.
Written September 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Spikedidi
Miami, FL437 contributions
Solo
Very interesting Historical location which is a must see if you are staying close by! They have a lot of the General Dodge’s property and it is a beautifully kept and decorated home, specially now in December! I highly recommend this as it is great for any age to learn some history!
Written December 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lifes2short4me
Saint Francis, MN130 contributions
Couples
You start at the house next door, the August Beresheim House, where you will get your tickets to tour the General Dodge House ($5 pp for seniors). You can look around this beautiful old house (the staircase is really neat) and there is a video to introduce you to the General Dodge House, which you will see later. It seems weird to start at one house to tour another, especially when the two homes aren't really related to each other (the Beresheim House was built 30 years after the Dodge house although some members of each family knew each other). You don't get much history about the Beresheim House and I wish they would give more. It's so interesting to see these old homes and they all have such rich stories and history. There are pictures on the wall, but no signage to let you know who they are. The docent will answer questions, though, and encourage you to head upstairs and look at the rooms. Then you can walk over to the big General Dodge House and the docent there will welcome you and ask you if you want to take the audio tour or the self-guided tour with a printed brochure. Take the audio tour! It's easy to use, well done, and there is so much more information provided (no extra charge). The home is fascinating--a real window into a bygone era. There are a lot of original pieces in the home and the architecture is beautiful. The staircase is stunning. There is even a ballroom upstairs and you can almost hear the chatter, laughter, and music that must have echoed in that room all those years ago. General Dodge was very accomplished and had some powerful friends. I was infatuated with the fact that President Theodore Roosevelt had visited the General's home, and President Abraham Lincoln ate from one of the dessert bowls sitting on the dining room table. It's a wonderful step back in time and well worth your time.
Written August 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL7,737 contributions
Couples
You may not have heard of General Grenville M. Dodge. But you've probably heard of Dodge City, Kansas, the town that was named after Dodge. A veteran of the Civil War, Dodge was an associate of many of the most influential Americans of his time and a counsel to presidents of the United States, including Lincoln and Grant. The chief engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad, he was called "the greatest railroad builder of all time" after helping to construct the transcontinental railroad across the western plains in the post-Civil War era. He surveyed over 100,000 miles of line. In 1869, he built his Victorian house at 605 South 3rd Street in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at a cost of 35,000, a lavish sum for the day. The three-story, 14-room mansion stands on a high terrace overlooking the Missouri Valley and features many marvels of innovation, including running water, central heating and plumbing. It retains its original black walnut woodwork and many antiques and beautiful Victorian decor that underscores the elegant life style of one of the city's most famous residents. It is the only National Historic Landmark in Council Bluffs. After Dodge's death in 1916, the house remained occupied by a member of the family until 1943. There is a lot of history associated with this house, which demonstrates how people of wealth lived in the American West in the late 1800s, the so-called Gilded Age.
Written January 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CLM59_59
Detroit, MI34 contributions
Friends
My sister and I visited on a Saturday afternoon. It ended up that we were the only two visiting. The guides were very friendly and answered all of our questions. Their warm welcome made us feel more like we were visiting their home and not a museum. The home is breathtaking. From the shutters on the windows to the details on the fireplaces we were amazed at all of hit.
Written April 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Happy Traveler
Kansas City, MO269 contributions
Friends
Different Christmas tree in each room. Beautifully decorated for Christmas. Must see. $7 for people under 62 years of age. Watch the 20 minute video first in the house next door.
Written December 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Historic General Dodge House
- Historic General Dodge House is open:
- Tue - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Historic General Dodge House:
- (4.27 mi) Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
- (4.61 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area
- (6.18 mi) Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
- (9.42 mi) DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest
- (2.49 mi) Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Council Bluffs, IA
- Restaurants near Historic General Dodge House:
- (0.20 mi) Duncan's Cafe
- (0.19 mi) Boxer Barbeque
- (0.19 mi) Legend's Cafe
- (0.20 mi) La Carreta Rosa
- (0.20 mi) Stay Sweet Nicolas