Joel Stewart was a farmer, banker, and state legislator who was known for his philanthropic activities.

He planned for the structure, superintended the construction, and turned it over to the city free and clear.

The three-story, brick building follows the Romanesque Revival style, and contains 5,458.8 square feet (510 m2) of space.

The meeting room on the top floor was converted into the Loft Theatre, and it opened in August 2014.

This article about a property in Poweshiek County, Iowa on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub.