WATERLOO, Iowa – When collectors think of Waterloo, John Deere is what comes to mind. The factory history, the John Deere Tractor and Engine Museum and more are entrenched with the agricultural giant. However, at the Weis Mansion Bed & Breakfast, the story of another agricultural entrepreneur comes to light.

Henry Weis built his mansion in 1902. Designed by the architectural firm of Murphy & Ralston, this lovely bed and breakfast is a Queen Anne style with Colonial Revival Elements. Owned by Christopher and Kelly Schmitz, the couple originally resided in Minnesota and made the move to Iowa when they found the property on Zillow.

There is a lot to love at the Weis Mansion, the wraparound porch, stained glass windows and six suites to choose from. But for a collector, the agricultural history is a huge draw. Weis was a factory owner that produced egg case fillers that protected eggs during shipping. In 1891, he opened the North Star Co. in Waterloo. The egg fillers were made from cottonwood slats and met the need for farm fresh eggs.

A picture of Weis is in a place of honor in the house along with early egg filler advertisements. Weis born in Germany and first grew up in Burlington, Iowa. His inventive character was inherited from his father, Paul Weis. Paul Weiss patented an egg case design. This kickstarted Henry’s idea. An article from The Egg Reporter from March 6, 1924, that Kelly Schmitz has, states, “Henry is credited with perfecting the special machines needed to produce the paper fillers, and his eventual success funded an expansion north to Waterloo.”

Henry Weis and his wife Sophia had four children, while they moved to Waterloo in 1891, it wasn’t until 1902 that they built their mansion. Kelly Schmitz said that this was a high-end house that cost $16-$18,000 when most houses sold for around $600. In an article that Schmitz had, they state that the spot where the house was built, “was on the corner of 4th & Wellington…touted as ‘getting to be one of the greatest residence streets in the city.’”

One point of wealth Schmitz shared was on the stairs. While most steps had two spindles, the Weis house has three. Most windows have stained, or leaded glass. There are parquet floors, the wrap around porch and a small sitting porch on the 2nd floor. The house was built for Weis, his wife Sophia and daughter Laura. His sons were already on their own. “She got married in this house,” Schmitz said.

While researching the house and family she learned after marrying a Gholson, Laura moved to Colorado, then returned and lived in the house until her death in 1934. Over time the house was converted into apartments for 50 years. It fell into neglect, then in the 1980s found new life as a bed and breakfast.

After moving to Waterloo, Weis’ business grew and Henry Weis experienced a lot of international trade with shipments to Germany and even Cape Town, South Africa. Business expanded in the spring of 1897 with the promotion of beet processing. While this was not as successful as his egg fillers, the business continued to expand, and in 1897, the business was incorporated into the Weis-Peterson Box Company in Cairo, Ill.

The business expanded to production of wood cases in Quincy, Ill. While the business grew, Henry Weis stayed put with the administration of the businesses remaining in Waterloo. By 1921, Henry decided to retire and sold his business to employees led by E.A. Sohm of the Quincy location, although he kept an office in Waterloo. He passed not long after his 83rd birthday in 1927.

What happened to the business? The Waterloo North Star merged with four other firms into the Central Fiber Products Company in 1931.

In 2022 Christopher and Kelly bought the home. “We were looking for a historical house to run as a bed and breakfast.”

Finding this on Zillow, it seemed perfect. “I like that it has lots of bathrooms and already had permits.”

With years of rental properties, the Schmitz’s were ready for this next big project. An adult only bed and breakfast, they offer six suites and an amazing breakfast featuring only farm fresh eggs. To find out more about what they have to offer at this agricultural piece of history, visit www.theweismansion.com.