Death of a queen: Heartbreaking end to iconic mansion in Marshalltown, Iowa

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — The “Queen of Hearts” mansion in Marshalltown met its end after a last-ditch effort to save the iconic home.

While several individuals tried online fundraising in hopes of moving the early-1900s structure, owner Todd Hollingworth took out a demolition permit last week and the mansion was demolished on Sept. 23, 2025.

The city of Marshalltown had issued a notice for Hollingworth — who was buying the home on contract — to either fix the structure or abate it.

Deb Millizer, the city’s director of housing and community development, said the previous owners, who were selling the house on contract, did not contest the demolition.

Built in 1901 for Newton Carmean, president of Marshalltown Buggy Co., the eclectic-style house featured 18 rooms, including a third floor ballroom.

Demolition debris from the “Queen of Hearts” mansion is seen on Sept. 23, 2025. (photo/Kyle Landas)

Located on West Main Street, the mansion was described as French Chateauesque, Colonial Revival and Queen Anne style and was best known for its signature heart-shaped windows.

Past efforts to save the house included an attempt by Reality Daydream to fundraise via their YouTube channel, citing more than a $1 million price tag for repairs, but their efforts fell short.

Preservation experts said the mansion could have been stabilized for much less, and considered its demise “demolition by neglect.”

Hollingworth, who purchased the home for its land — situated next door to his own home — also cited an estimated cost of repair at $1.8 million, so the $51,000 demolition cost was the less expensive route, he said.

Parts of the mansion were salvaged by individuals, West End Salvage of Des Moines and the nonprofit Save CR Heritage of Cedar Rapids, with Nick and Bethany Sy of Reality Daydream using a Sawzall to take out a frame of the heart-shaped window, with video posted to their YouTube channel.

More: See photos of the “Queen of Hearts” in its final days