The James L. Lawther House is an octagon house

Octagon house

Octagon houses were a unique house style briefly popular in the 1850s in the United States and Canada. They are characterised by an octagonal plan, and often feature a flat roof and a veranda all round...

 in Red Wing, Minnesota

Red Wing, Minnesota

Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County....

. The owner, James Lawther, built it after he visited Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....

 and toured the Langworthy House

Langworthy House

The Langworthy House, also known as the Octagon House, is an historic octagon house located at 1095 W. 3rd Street in Dubuque, Iowa. Built in 1856, it was designed by local architect John Francis Rague for local politician Edward Langworthy...

 there. At the time, the Langworthy House was the grandest house of its type on the upper Mississippi River

Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...

. The Lawther House was built in 1857, with an addition in 1870. Its location, at the corner of Third and Hill Streets, has been termed "one of the most architecturally significant intersections in Minnesota" and is part of the Red Wing Residential Historic District. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

.

James Lawther was a successful businessman and merchant in Red Wing. Besides the house, he built the Gladstone Building in downtown. He also contributed to civic causes such as the Carnegie-Lawther Library, the YMCA, and the park on Barn Bluff

Barn Bluff (Red Wing, Minnesota)

Barn Bluff is a bluff along the Mississippi River in Red Wing, Minnesota. The bluff is associated with Dakota legend from hundreds of years ago. During the 19th century, the bluff functioned as a visual reference for explorers and travelers. The bluff overlooks the downtown area and towers about...

. The Gladstone Building is listed on the National Register, and the library is a contributing property to the Red Wing Mall Historic District.

Now serving as a bed and breakfast

Bed and breakfast

A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...

, the all-brick home features an ornate cupola and central chimney.