A Brief History

The Creston House was originally a hotel. It was built in two phases. The south side was built in 1880 and was attached to the building to the south, 219 South Main. The north side was added in 1884. The Creston House was owned by Max Mohn who came to Council Bluffs in 1869 as a shoemaker. The Creston House had 75 sleeping rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors, each with window(s) and steam heat. The going rate was $1.50 per night. 

The upper floors were eventually converted in to apartments. In 1943, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) acquired the Creston House and the ground floor became the VFW Club. Rumors say that they kept the slot machines in the basement. 

In 1953, Sam’s Supermarket opened in the Creston House. The apartments on 2nd and 3rd floor were condemned by the City in the 1970’s and were never used again. Sam’s continued doing business there until 1978. Following the closing of Sam’s, the ground floor was converted into office space. In 1984, the predecessor to Petersen Law moved into the ground floor. 

In 2010, the Creston House was completely renovated. The 2nd and 3rd floor became finished office space. The ground floor has been partially finished while maintaining its historic character and has the flexibility to accommodate almost any business.