DES MOINES, Iowa - All of the Iowa properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 received special recognition Monday from the State Historical Society of Iowa. A ceremony was held at the State Historical Building in conjunction with National Historic Preservation Week.

Fifty Iowa properties, commercial and historic districts earned listings on the National Register last year. Each are notable for retaining historic integrity and stand today as excellent examples of architecture or have association to significant events or people.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’s cultural resources worthy of preservation. The program is administered by the National Park Service under the Secretary of the Interior. Properties listed on the Register include districts, sites, structures and objects that are significant to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. These resources contribute to an understanding of the historical and cultural foundations of the nation.

The ceremony also included presentation of the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance’s “Preservation At its Best” Awards. These awards are made annually to projects in Iowa that demonstrate a commitment to maintaining and preserving Iowa’s cultural heritage.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES LISTINGS FOR 2002
(by county)

Black Hawk
Black Hawk Hotel, 115-119 Naub St., Cedar Falls
Known as Burr’s Hotel from 1884 until 1915, the Black Hawk Hotel is a local landmark and stands as one of the best examples of commercial architecture. The property, which is undergoing rehabilitation, has always been a hotel. John G. Ralston, a regionally important architect in practice in Black Hawk County between 1889 and 1953, was responsible for the 1914 alterations into the more modern hotel. The building thus illustrates two important periods of architectural design and evolution: the 1884 Burr’s Hotel and the 1914 conversion to the Black Hawk Hotel.

Chapple and Young Block, 316-318-320 Main St., LaPorte City
The most sophisticated building erected during a boom period of expansion in the 1890s, the Chapple & Young Block calls attention to the architectural design trends of the period. During this time, building styles moved away from a close reliance on architectural detailing, such as pressed metal cornices and hood molds, toward the onsite manipulation of building materials to achieve decorative effect. It was erected in 1892 by William Chapple, a local businessman, capitalist and journalist, and his colleague, Clayton E. Young.

Cass
Atlantic High School, 1100 Linn St., Atlantic
Funding from the Public Works Administration helped many communities to construct public buildings during the Depression, including the Atlantic High School. In 1935, the school board applied for a PWA grant to build the new school to accommodate population growth and the need for modern facilities. The school was opened in the fall of 1937.

Cerro Gordo
Hotel Lester—Lester Café, 408-410 2nd St., NW, Mason City
The Hotel Lester/Lester Café is the only known surviving railroad hotel in Mason City and was designed and constructed primarily to provide temporary housing and other services for railroad employees and passengers. The development of the hotel was initiated by Mier Wolf, a prominent and successful businessman in Mason City. The hotel was completed in 1915, and had one famous guest—track legend Jesse Owens, in December, 1937.

Keerl-Decker House, 119 2 St., SE, Mason City
This home was designed by noted Mason City architect E.R. Bogardus and is significant for its association with two prominent Mason City families, the Keerls and the Deckers. The exact date the house was built is unknown, but the lot was purchased in 1902 by I.W. Keerl, a strong civic supporter in the community. The home was purchased in 1919 by Jay E. Decker who owned and operated the Decker Meat Packing Plant, Mason City’s largest employer which continues today as the Armour Food Company (ConAgra).

Modern Brotherhood of America (MBA) Building, 103 E. State St., Mason City
The M.B.A Building, currently called the Brick and Tile Building, is the only surviving office building of its size from the early 20th century in Mason City. It was the only one constructed of its type and size and there are no other buildings in Mason City to which it can be compared. The building opened in 1917 as headquarters for the fraternal lodge, the Modern Brotherhood of America.

Mason City YMCA, 15 N. Pennsylvania
The Mason City YMCA has played an important role in the development of the city. The building has undergone several changes since being built in 1926, and has been the host of several historical moments throughout its history, serving people of all ages and spurring community fundraisers that have been recognized nationally.

Clayton
McGregor Commercial Historic District, 100-300 blocks of Main St.; 100-200 blocks of A St., McGregor
With 871 residents, present-day McGregor is a survivor of industry shifts and transportation developments, not to mention constant flood damage, with one of the most disastrous having been in 1902. The town is now effectively positioned as a tourist destination and because much of its Main Street architecture remains intact, the town’s commercial artery is among Iowa’s notable examples of mid- to late-19th century commercial architecture.

Dallas
Adel Bridge, River Street, Adel
This bridge’s location in Adel was originally a ferry crossing during high tides of the Raccoon River. It is known for its two-span configuration, durability and life since its construction. The Adel Bridge is one of the oldest of its kind left in Iowa.

Delaware
Lincoln Elementary School, 410 Lincoln St., Manchester
Constructed in 1916, Lincoln Elementary School is an excellent example of the Prairie style of architecture. Although the school was closed in 1965, it reopened only two years later as a first grade school. In the 1970s, it was used for special education purposes, and in the 1990s, once again became an elementary school.

Dubuque
John Bell Block, 1301-1307 Central Ave., Dubuque
The John Bell Block is a well-preserved example of the Italianate commercial style applied to a four-storefront, three-story commercial block. It is also associated with the German ethnic population of Dubuque as the building’s storefronts house German-American businesses closely tied to the city’s German-American population. The building is associated with three significant Dubuque residents: John Bell, capitalist; architect Martin Heer; and contractor Anton Zwack. The building was erected in 1886.

Ziepprecht Block, 1347-1353 Central Ave., Dubuque
This building represents one of a small number of surviving and well-preserved mid- to late-1880s commercial double storefront blocks. These buildings, built throughout the entire downtown on its main business streets, rebuilt or extended northward the commercial core of the city in the years 1882 to 1895. Henry Ziepprecht immigrated to Dubuque from Germany, where he was a druggist. Known as an attentive businessman, Ziepprecht became quite wealthy, although he died before construction of the building was completed in 1888. His estate funded the $14,000 building.

Grand Opera House, 135 8th St., Dubuque
Completed in 1890, the Grand Opera House stands as an example of one of the best designs of Chicago architect Willoughby James Edbrooke. The Grand is the only surviving grand opera house Edbrooke designed and it was part of the portfolio that earned him an appointment as Supervising Architect of the United States Treasury in 1891.

Sherrill Mount House, 5259 South Mound Road, Sherrill
This historic stone building dating back to before the Civil War is one of the oldest and largest buildings of the period and has served as the city inn and community social center for the town’s first 100 years. The house is located along the popular Great River Road, just north of Dubuque.

Harrison
Woodbine Normal School and Grade School, 5th and Weare, Woodbine
The Woodbine School is significant for its association with the development of primary and secondary education facilities and development of normal training facilities. The historic school actually consists of two sections built in 1910 and 1930. The 1910 Normal school embodies significant characteristics of the Classical Revival style and the 1931 Grade school building is an excellent example of the Art Deco style.

Humboldt
Stephen Harris Taft House, 809 First Ave. N., Humboldt
New York native Stephen Harris Taft was a Congregational Society minister whose efforts largely established the town of Humboldt. He lived there from 1864 until 1897. The house stands today as a surviving example of the town’s settlement period, and as an early model and inspiration for Humboldt’s tradition of limestone architecture.

Jasper
Emerson Hough Elementary School, 700 N. 4th Ave. E, Newton
This elementary school is associated with the development of the Platoon School educational system in Iowa, which divided each grade into two “platoons” that each spent one-half of the day learning fundamental subjects and the other half learning specialty subjects such as art. It was built in 1927, a boom time for enrollment in Newton’s public schools, and was seen as an economical solution because every space in the school was used throughout the day.

Johnson
Longfellow Historic District, Iowa City
The Longfellow Historic District, located between Court Street and Rundell, Sheridan Avenue and the west boundary of Longfellow School, is a good example of early 20th century suburban development in its residential design. The residences constructed throughout the Longfellow neighborhood during a period of intense development, 1910-1940, are representative of small to medium size houses in the popular styles of the period.

Lee
The Park Place—Grand Avenue Residential District, Keokuk
Keokuk’s successful businessmen built the houses in the Park Place/Grand Avenue residential district over a long period of time and today the neighborhood maintains its status as the “best place to live in Keokuk.” Houses in the district date to 1856, though most were built in the first 30 years of the 20th century, each standing as an excellent examples of their architectural styles.

Alois and Annie Weber House, 802 Orleans Ave., Keokuk
The Alois and Annie Weber House was built circa 1873 and stands today as an example of the Second Empire architectural style, with tall, narrow windows and high ceilings. The Webers were highly respected in Keokuk and throughout the Midwest. Alois Weber opened his own hardware business, A.Weber & Co., and continued its operation until his death in 1917. Annie Weber was also an entrepreneur, establishing and controlling a millinery shop from 1856 until 1887. She died in 1898.

Linn
Charles W. and Nellie Perkins House, 1228 3rd Ave., SE, Cedar Rapids
Many houses in the neighborhood of the Perkins’ House reflect the distinct architectural style of Charles Dieman, a prestigious architect who also lived in this neighborhood. This home was built in 1897 and still retains its overall elegance and prominence. It is currently undergoing restoration and the owner plans to keep the house as an eight-unit apartment complex.

Bohemian Commercial Historic District, 1000 to 1300 blocks of 3rd St., SE and 100 to 200 blocks of 14th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids
This district is associated with nearly 60 years of commercial development in Cedar Rapids' Bohemian South side from the 1880s though the 1930s. The commercial district is a representative collection of the commercial architectural styles and vernacular building forms that appeared in Cedar Rapids from the 1880s through the 1930s.

James W. and Ida G. Bowman House, 1372 8th Ave., Marion
Built in 1909, the James W. and Ida G. Bowman house represents the stylish homes built along 8th Avenue in the Pucker Street Historic District in the early 20th century. This home reflects the social history of this neighborhood, which was populated by Marion’s wealthy and influential citizens during that time. The Bowman House reflects not only James and Ida Bowman’s social, political and financial position in the community, but also the most up-to-date architectural style and modern conveniences of the day.

Samuel M. Lane House, 1776 8th Ave., Marion
The Samuel M. Lane House is another example of the social and architectural history of the Pucker Street Historic District. It was built in 1868 and reflects the end of a mini-building boom along 8th Avenue in the late 1860s. Not much is known of Samuel Lane except that he served as School Board President in Marion in 1869 which would indicate he was respected and of some influence in the community.

Pucker Street Historic District, Marion
This neighborhood, established from 1850-1940 represents the historical development of a neighborhood that was home to the city’s wealthy and influential. It was started by prominent pioneer settlers of this town and later expanded by many of their descendants. During the area’s development, the first residents of Marion—doctors, merchants, lawyers and politicians—built their large, impressive dwellings along 8th Avenue and adjacent streets.

Glenn O. and Lucy O. Pyle House, 1540 8th Ave., Marion
The Pyle House is a notable landmark in Marion’s Pucker Street Historic District and reflects the later years of the social and architectural evolution of this neighborhood. Glenn O. Pyle built this house for his own home, although he was also responsible for the construction of two other bungalow-type homes in the area. This one, however, reflects a more elaborate expression of the Craftsman style in the Midwest, strongly suggesting that Glenn Pyle customized an otherwise pattern book design to his personal tastes and financial position in the Marion community.

Marshall
State Center Commercial Historic District, Main Street Blocks 200-100 West and 100 East, State Center
The historical significance of the district lies in its representation of the central business district from the late 1860s to the present and its reflection of the many varied enterprises that evolved in the late 19th to early 20th centuries within this community. The architectural significance lies in the retention and integrity of many of the historic buildings constructed between the 1860s and 1952.

Mitchell
Osage Commercial Historic District, Main St., blks 700, 600 and parts of 500, Osage
The Osage Commercial Historic District represents the central business district from the 1860s to the present and reflects the varied commercial, public, social, cultural and recreational enterprises that evolved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The architectural significance of this district lies in its retention of so many of its late 19th century commercial buildings, and their comparatively high degree of architectural integrity, as well as some notable early 20th century additions and remodeling. A majority of the buildings in the district date from the boom period of construction in the 1870s to the 1880s.

Walnut Grove School, 3272 Foothill Ave., Osage (vicinity)
The Walnut Grove School is the only remaining structurally sound, unaltered, one-room rural school on its original site, in Mitchell County. In 1911, there were 88 one-room schools in Mitchell County. Classes were held continuously on this site from 1857 until the school’s closing in 1946. Enrollment varied from five to 33 students, who received systematic instruction in the basic curriculum for the period.

Montgomery
Grant Commercial Historic District, parts of Second St. and U Ave., Grant
The Grant Commercial Historic District represents a small town historic district from the 1870s to the 1950s and reflects the slow but persistent growth of this southwestern Iowa town. The district shows the growing importance of the automobile as a mode of transportation and its impact on Iowa’s main streets, with numerous businesses and buildings added in the early 20th century along what was becoming the main paved highway through town. The earliest buildings in the district were built in 1871.

Muscatine
West Liberty Commercial Historic District, bounded by 4th St., Railroad Tracks, Clay and Spencer streets, West Liberty
This historic district has been the central location for businesses since the 1860s as many varied commercial, industrial, public, social, cultural and recreational enterprises evolved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in West Liberty. Many of the district’s historic buildings built between 1867 and 1948 retain their integrity today.
Abraham Lincoln High School, 2600 SW 9th St., Des Moines
Lincoln High School is associated with the development of secondary educational facilities after the consolidation in Des Moines in 1907. It was built in 1923 and is significant as an example of the quintessential “Modern School” with its H-shape plan, highly decorated main lobby, and specialized spaces such as an auditorium and gymnasium. It is also an excellent example of the Tudor Revival style of architecture designed by one of Iowa’s preeminent architectural firms, Proudfoot, Bird and Rawson.

Theodore Roosevelt High School, 4419 Center St., Des Moines
Like Lincoln High School, Roosevelt was built by Proudfoot, Bird and Rawson and designed in the “Modern School,” H-shape plan. The elaborate lobby space, a pool, an auditorium, and a girl’s and boy’s gymnasium are examples of this style. It opened in September, 1924 with 1,282 students. In order to alleviate the demands for more high school space, the Des Moines School District issued over $6.5 million in bonds to finance the construction of both Lincoln and Roosevelt high schools.

Hohberger Building, 502-506 E. Locust St., Des Moines
The Hohberger Building is one of only two cast iron buildings in the downtown Des Moines area. Constructed in 1898, the building was erected with cast iron because it is lighter and stronger than stone and brick. Cast iron supports were used as an alternative to masonry.

Fleming Building, 218 6th Ave., Des Moines
Hailed as one of the first skyscrapers in Des Moines, the Fleming Building marked a transition to a more modern architectural style when it was built in the early 20th century. It is one of the very few in the state built by D.H. Burnham & Co., a prominent Chicago firm.

Edward B. and Nettie Evans House, 1410 19th St., Des Moines
Built for the Edward Baker Evans family, this house is one of the best surviving examples of a Free Classic, Queen Anne type residence in the city of Des Moines. The house was included in the book, “A Field Guide to American Houses” in 1984. Edward Evans was the second dean of the Drake College of Law, until 1917. The house is currently being renovated as a bed and breakfast for Drake parents and alumni of the university.

Pottawattamie
100 Block of West Broadway Commercial District, Council Bluffs
The 100 block of West Broadway has played a significant role in the growth of Council Bluffs, first as a haven for Mormons moving from Illinois to Utah, and later with grocery stores, dry goods and clothing stores, drug stores, restaurants, cafes and more. Most of these buildings were built between 1850 and 1920, and still maintain their original character.

Scott
McKinley Elementary School, 1716 Kenwood, Davenport
McKinley Elementary School is typical of the modern elementary school with large kindergarten rooms and facilities for community use. Funding from the Public Works Administration helped many communities to construct public buildings during the depression. The school has retained its integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association.

Lincoln School, 318 E. 7th St., Davenport
Like McKinley Elementary School, Lincoln School was also funded in part by Public Works Administration funds. The school opened in the fall of 1940 during a time of student population growth. New buildings were needed. Twelve of the 18 elementary schools were abandoned, and six new ones constructed, including McKinley and Lincoln.

Shelby
Irwin Consolidated School, North Street, Irwin
The Irwin Consolidated School represents an era of consolidation of rural townships with independent schools that provided educational services to rural areas in Iowa. The school opened in the fall of 1918 and had room for an expanded curriculum. It also had a new gymnasium, which gave rise to the first girl’s basketball team in Irwin in 1920.

Storey
Ames High School, 515 Clark Ave., Ames
Ames High School was built beginning in 1937 to accommodate the city’s entire high school population, which was previously housed in schools on the north and south sides of the city. The building was completed in 1939 and used as a high school until 1967 when a new high school was constructed on 20th St. The Ames High School then became Central Junior High School until the mid-1980s when a new middle school was built. The city administration reoccupied the former high school in 1989 to consolidate scattered city offices.

Taylor
Bedford Commercial Historic District, 200-500 blks, Main St.; 500-600 blks Court; 500 blk Central, Bedford
The evolution of this commercial historic district reflects two important developments in Bedford’s town history: the securing of the county seat of government, and the securing of a rail line. The early portion of the commercial district was oriented around the intersection of Court Avenue and Main Street, with the Taylor County Courthouse being the focal point of the district in its early days. But upon securing a railroad, the district began to develop along Main Street to the east connecting the early commercial district to the railroad at the east end of Main Street.

Lenox Hotel, 114 S. Main St., Lenox
The Lenox Hotel symbolizes the hotels that sprouted up in small towns across the prairies of the Midwest as proud pioneers and settlers ventured westward. The original Lenox Hotel was built in 1874, and survived the “great fire” of 1884. It did not, however, survive a second fire in 1912. A group of 10 local businessmen rebuilt the hotel, and it opened once again in 1916. It is currently owned by Paul and Betty Fay, who are overseeing its restoration.

Union
Jefferson Elementary School, 501 North Cherry, Creston
The first Jefferson School on this site opened in the 1880s. By the 1920s, the building was overcrowded and lacked the facilities of a modern elementary school. The new Jefferson School was constructed with Public Works Administration (PWA) funds, and was completed at a cost of $74,629. It was considered a state-of-the-art school at its opening, with fire-resistant construction, asphalt-tiled floors, and photoelectric lights.

Van Buren
Goodin Building, 106 N. Front St., Farmington
The Goodin Building has taken on many functions since being built in 1875, including serving as the Mt. Moriah Lodge #9 (later reinstated as #27), a chain saw and mower repair shop and currently as a heating and cooling business. The upper floor is not currently in use, but will eventually be converted into an apartment or meeting hall for community events.

Vernon School, 26849 South St., Vernon vicinity
Vernon School is an excellent example of a 19th century public school building architecture. For financial reasons, construction of the school lasted from 1867 through 1873, though it is probable that classes were held in the building earlier. It served the town of Vernon until the mid-20th century, when pressures on schools throughout Iowa led to the consolidation of independent schools into districts. Most of the building maintains its original interior configuration.

Warren
Indianola High School, 301 N. Buxton, Indianola
This school, noted for its association with the development of independent schools in Indianola, also serves as an excellent example of the Late Gothic Revival style of architecture designed by the Minneapolis firm of Grahn and Rathurst. It is typical of an independent high school in a small town—a high style building located in a prominent part of town with auditorium facilities that are used by the community.

Woodbury
Leeds Junior High School, 3919 Jefferson St., Sioux City
Built in 1939, Leeds Junior High School, like others at the time, was built as part of the vocational education movement. At the time, it was thought a good thing to steer students into a curriculum choice that would benefit them in their chosen profession. Most were constructed similar to the high school, but on a smaller scale. They have gymnasiums, auditoriums, and specialized classrooms, such as science rooms.

Rose Hill Historic District, 1400-1700 blks of Douglas St., Grandview Blvd. and Summit St., Sioux City
The Rose Hill Historic District is associated with an important era of population growth and intense residential development in Sioux City at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. Rose Hill was undertaken in the spirit of real estate development projects to promote and benefit from opportunities presented by this growth.

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