Clinton architect W.W. Sanborn originally designed the house in the
Second Empire style. J. C. Clausen was superintendent of construction when it was built in 1877. The exterior was composed of red brick and it featured a
mansard roof and
turreted tower. It was built for lumber baron Lafayette Lamb. The house was extensively renovated in 1906. The brick veneer was removed and replaced with gray cement brick of the Iowa Granite Brick company. A flat roof was installed and the tower was removed. As a result, the home now reflected the
Georgian Revival style. In 1920 it was donated to the
YWCA who continues to use the building. Other additions were built onto the building in subsequent years. ==References==