General Grenville M. Dodge is a civil war veteran and became one of the counsels to some of the famous United States Presidents such as Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant. He was involved in helping the presidents in terms of the political, financial and military affairs. Additionally he was also known as the ?greatest railroad builder of all time?. Because of this distinction, Gen. Dodge became one of the most famous residents in Council Bluff, Iowa.

Dodge constructed the Victorian home located at 605 Third Street, Council Bluff in 1869. Built with fourteen rooms and decorated with sturdy materials, the mansion cost some $35,000 a large amount during that time. Today it overlooks the Missouri Valley and is visited by many tourists yearly.