[1] This was the first residence built in the city in the Italian villa style and one of the earliest examples in the state of Iowa.

[3][4] The house is named for three of its early owners: Joseph Lambrite, a lumber mill owner who built the house, Dr. Thomas Iles, a physician, and John H.C. Petersen, who founded Davenport's largest department store that grew to become Von Maur.

[6] The Petersen family retained ownership of the house for ten years, selling it to Joseph Schick in 1920.

Its local landmark status recognizes its significance, history, and assists the city's historic preservation commission if it decides to intervene on the structure's behalf.

Joseph Lambrite was a partner in Davenport's largest sawmill, a major industry in the city's early history.

[12] He served as the chief surgeon of the Civil War Confederate prison camp located at the Rock Island Arsenal.

[4] John H. C. Petersen was born in Schleswig in present-day Germany and went to school until he was 16 when he was apprenticed to a dry-goods seller.

The family immigrated to the United States in 1860 and settled in Scott County, Iowa where he initially worked as a farm hand.

It features a three-story tower, bracketed eaves, tall windows, and quoins on the corners.