Part 1/12:

From Rags to Riches: The Extraordinary Rise and Fall of Terrace Hill

The Humble Beginnings of a Self-Made Man

Benjamin Allen's journey to building one of the most impressive Victorian-era mansions in Iowa is a testament to the transformative power of ambition and resilience. Born in 1829 in Indiana as an orphan at just four years old, Allen faced early hardships and grew up with relatives in Ohio. Lacking formal education, he compensated with grit, courage, and an innate entrepreneurial spirit. At 17, he briefly served in the military, and by 19, he ventured to the frontier town of Fort Des Moines to claim a modest inheritance from his late uncle.