Mr. Dalton came to Poplar Bluff in 1885 from Ripley County. He married Clara Wright of Doniphan. They had four children: Grover, Charles, Phoebe and Mary. Mr. Dalton became one of Poplar Bluff's pioneer merchants and in 1904 became the manufacturer of the country's first ten-key adding machine.

During that time and 1928, Mr. Dalton made extensive changes, remodeling the facade and adding the columned portico, bay windows, scroll trim and the iron fence. Unique features of the interior include decorative scrollwork above the windows and doorways matching exterior scrollwork, curved front windows, high ceilings and a beautifully carved stairway with leaded glass panels on the landing.

Clara and daughter, Phoebe, were very demanding in the care and maintenance of the home. The front porch and sidewalks were thoroughly cleaned and the front windows washed every morning. The exterior hand-carved panels were painted every year. The hardwood floors were stripped and waxed four times a year. According to Clara's grandson, Jim Dalton, after modern appliances were installed in the kitchen upstairs a wood stove was still kept in the basement as Mrs. Dalton thought some foods were best prepared on it.

Each Sunday evening Mrs. Dalton served tea in the dining room. Attendance by the family was mandatory. Special summer picnics were held in the North side of the house by the fishpond and waterfall, which was removed in the 1950's. Lovely rose gardens filled the back and a stone oven for cooking. Phoebe later did some remodeling but the remained mainly unchanged with a picture of her father over the fireplace and heavy oak doors welcoming guests. A back staircase lead to the upstairs bedroom was for servants.

In 1914 Mr. Dalton moved his family and his Dalton Adding Machine Co. to Cincinnati, where a larger workforce could help his company expand to meet demands. They retained the Poplar Bluff home as Grover stayed behind to manage their retail business, Wright, Dalton, Bell and Anchor department Store.

Today the home houses the Margaret Harwell Art Museum. It owes its existence to the generosity of its namesake and benefactor, Margaret Harwell – an amateur artist, businesswoman and civic leader who died in 1977. Mrs. Harwell left a part of her estate, a legacy that has become a vital resource for Southeast Missouri, to the City of Poplar Bluff to establish a center for art classes and exhibits. In 1978, a city Arts and Museum Advisory Board was formed to take on the task.

In 1980, the city purchased the J. L. Dalton home for $40,000 to house the museum. $65,000 was spent in repair and renovation. The museum was opened to the public on November 8, 1981. The remainder of the money was invested and interest from it helps to operate the museum. The city depends largely on gifts and grants for operating expenses. In 1994 the J. L. Dalton home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

By Sherry Link
Dalton Home
421 N. Main Street
Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., MO

Mail Box - Sherry Link

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