Five previously unidentified early twentieth-century “pattern book” houses by Omaha architect Everett S. Dodds have been located thanks to a search sponsored by Restoration Exchange Omaha and the Preservation Association of Lincoln. Conducted in May, the search not only identified the houses but one in Woodbine, Iowa. Also, one property owner had a copy of original building plans. About six houses in Lincoln had been previously identified.
Dodds’ “Woodbine” model (above) as illustrated in his catalog and (below) an example in Woodbine, Iowa. (Photo courtesy of Alley-Poyner-Macchietto Architects, Omaha)
Many examples of Dodds houses are located in the Minne Lusa Residential District in Omaha, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. The district comprises small to mid-sized homes planned and built by Omaha developer C.W. Martin, with designs for many of the homes attributed to Dodds. Martin’s housing development was platted on the north edge of Miller Park and the southern edge of Florence, between 24th and 30th streets. The neighborhood is predominantly comprised of bungalows and craftsman-style houses, built primarily between 1915 and 1927. The district includes 708 properties; 541 are considered historic to the district and 78 of the residences are attributed to Dodds. Omaha architect Everett S. Dodds was one of Nebraska’s most prolific home designers. His area of expertise was residential house plans which he offered as “stock” plans to prospective homeowners and homebuilders. These building plans were featured weekly in the Omaha Bee and the Omaha Sunday World-Herald under the headline, “Some New Home Suggestions.” In approximately 1914, Dodds released a plan book of house designs ranging from affordable bungalows to more elaborate homes, which he stated could be modified at a small cost to suit individual preferences. He described himself as a “Specialist in Up-to-Date Residences and Bungalows of the Better Class.” Click here for a copy of the Dodds plan book: 
