Elsner House 1960s

Elsner House 2003

Built in 1927 as the second home of Max Elsner, after moving his Zenith Holland Garden business from the current location of the Masonic Home. Vernon and Melanie Elsner Draper lived in the house. The home was remodeled after their deaths. Melanie wrote the first published history of Des Moines "Timer, Tides, and Tales" in 1976 and helped found the local museum. Vernon was the son of Daddy and Mother Draper of the Children's Industrial Home.