Historic Districts
Vacant / Not In Use
Iowa - Polk County - Historic Districts
Polk County Iowa (Historic Districts) has 33 places on the National Register of Historic Places including 1 place of National significance and 2 places of Statewide significance. Significant places include Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School, Flynn Farm, Mansion, and Barn and Iowa State Fair and Exposition Grounds Historic District, Ashby Manor Historic District and Bates Park Historic District.

Several famous people are associated with these Polk County historic places including Susan Newens, Newens, Lynn, and Hill M. Bell.

Some of the country's most noteable architects helped create the Polk County places including Keffer & Jones, Hallett & Rawson, Guy McDowell, Henry Pharmer, Vernon and Eva Veneman, Henry Tillia, Wetherell & Gage, Multiple et al., William N. Nielsen and Charles Dombach. Prominent architectural styles found in Polk Country are Colonial Revival, Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements and Bungalow/Craftsman.

Alleman, Richard L. and Verda M., Farm Historic District (added 2015 - - #15000192)
Slater, Slater
CelticClicker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event
Area of Significance:
Other, Politics/Government
Period of Significance:
1950-1974 AD
Ashby Manor Historic District (added 1992 - - #92001150)
Roughly bounded by Beaver Ave. and Ashby Park , Des Moines
Goddesshanna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
McDowell,Guy, McMurray,E.T.
Architectural Style:
Colonial Revival, Moderne, Tudor Revival
Area of Significance:
Architecture, Community Planning And Development, Landscape Architecture
Period of Significance:
1925-1949
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Bates Park Historic District (added 1996 - - #96001154)
4th St. between Orchard and Clark Sts. , Des Moines
CelticClicker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Newton, William
Architectural Style:
Colonial Revival
Area of Significance:
Community Planning And Development, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Local, Private
Historic Function:
Domestic, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function:
Outdoor Recreation, Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function:
Outdoor Recreation, Single Dwelling
Camp Dodge Pool District (added 1995 - - #95000098)
Also known as Camp Dodge Swimming Pool Complex
Buildings A22--A24, Camp Dodge , Johnston
CelticClicker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Nielsen, William N., Pearse, Robinson & Sprague
Architectural Style:
Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements
Area of Significance:
Entertainment/Recreation, Engineering, Military
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924
Owner:
State
Historic Function:
Defense, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function:
Military Facility, Sport Facility
Current Function:
Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function:
Sport Facility
Chautauqua Park Historic District (added 1990 - - #89001776)
Roughly bounded by 16th St., Hickman Rd., and Chautauqua Pkwy. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Et al., Foglesong,L. Earl
Architectural Style:
Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival
Area of Significance:
Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Community Planning And Development
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924
Owner:
Local, Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Civic Center Historic District (added 1988 - - #88001168)
Also known as See Also:US Post Office;Municipal Building;Public Library of
Des Moines River, Center St. Dam to Scott Ave. Dam, including both banks , Des Moines
Jdsteakley, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Multiple
Architectural Style:
Art Deco, Beaux Arts
Area of Significance:
Community Planning And Development, Landscape Architecture, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Mixed
Historic Function:
Education, Government, Landscape, Transportation
Historic Sub-function:
City Hall, Library, Park, Post Office, Rail-Related, Water-Related
Current Function:
Education, Government, Landscape, Transportation
Current Sub-function:
City Hall, Library, Park, Post Office, Rail-Related, Water-Related
College Corner Commercial Historic Business District (added 1998 - - #98000385)
Also known as Highland Park Historic Business District at Euclid and Secon
Euclid Ave., between Second and Third Aves. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Liebbe, Nourse & Rasmussen
Architectural Style:
Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements
Area of Significance:
Architecture, Commerce
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Commerce/Trade
Historic Sub-function:
Business, Financial Institution, Organizational, Specialty Store
Current Function:
Commerce/Trade
Current Sub-function:
Business, Financial Institution, Organizational, Specialty Store
Drake University Campus Historic District (added 1988 - - #88001341)
Roughly two blks. along University Ave. near Twenty-fifth St. , Des Moines
Yassie, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Person, Event
Historic Person:
Bell,Hill M.,et al.
Significant Year:
1903, 1908, 1883
Area of Significance:
Exploration/Settlement, Education
Period of Significance:
1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Education
Historic Sub-function:
Library
Current Function:
Education
Current Sub-function:
Library
East Des Moines Industrial Historic District (added 2017 - - #100001700)
Roughly East 2nd to East 5th and East Walnut to East Market Streets, Des Moines
Prburley, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architectural Style:
Mixed (More Than 2 Styles From Different Periods)
Area of Significance:
Commerce, Industry, Transportation
Period of Significance:
1874-1956 AD
Fitch, F.W., Company Historic District (added 2013 - - #13000147)
300-306 15th & 1510-1526 Walnut Sts., Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event
Area of Significance:
Industry
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924
Flynn Farm, Mansion, and Barn (added 1973 - - #73000737)
Also known as Flynn Farm;Walnut Hill Farm;Clive Honor Farm
2600 111th St. , Des Moines
Dennis Bratland, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Unknown
Architectural Style:
Other
Area of Significance:
Conservation, Landscape Architecture, Agriculture, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1850-1874
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Agriculture/Subsistence, Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Animal Facility, Single Dwelling, Storage
Current Function:
Work In Progress
Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School (added 1974 - - #74000805)
Also known as Fort Des Moines Military Reservation
Fort Des Moines Military Reservation , Des Moines
KudzuVine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event
Area of Significance:
Military, Black
Period of Significance:
1900-1924
Owner:
Mixed
Historic Function:
Defense
Historic Sub-function:
Fortification
Current Function:
Commerce/Trade, Defense, Government, Vacant/Not In Use
Current Sub-function:
Business, Fortification, Government Office
Goddard Bungalow Court Historic District (added 2000 - - #00000930)
1410-21 Goddard Court, 1232 14th St. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architectural Style:
Bungalow/Craftsman
Area of Significance:
Community Planning And Development, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1900-1924
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Greenwood Park Plats Historic District (added 2013 - - #13000068)
Roughly 39th to 42nd Sts., approx. Grand Ave. to Center & Pleasant Sts., 4006, 4024 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architectural Style:
Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements
Area of Significance:
Community Planning And Development, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1950-1974, 1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
Highland Park Historic Business District at Euclid and Sixth Avenues (added 1998 - - #98000867)
Roghly jct. of Euclis Ave. and Sixth Ave. , Des Moines
Slick-o-bot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Hallett & Rawson, Wetherell & Gage
Architectural Style:
Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements
Area of Significance:
Commerce, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Commerce/Trade
Historic Sub-function:
Business, Department Store, Financial Institution, Organizational, Restaurant, Specialty Store
Current Function:
Commerce/Trade
Current Sub-function:
Business, Financial Institution, Organizational, Restaurant, Specialty Store, Warehouse
Ingersoll Place Plat Historic District (added 2000 - - #00000931)
28th St., Linden and High Sts. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Dombach, Charles
Architectural Style:
Bungalow/Craftsman, Colonial Revival
Area of Significance:
Architecture, Community Planning And Development
Period of Significance:
1900-1924
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Iowa State Fair and Exposition Grounds Historic District (added 1987 - - #87000014)
Also known as Iowa State Fairgrounds;See Also:Fish and Game Pavilion and A
E. Thirtieth St. and Grand Ave. , Des Moines
Ankenycat, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Et al., Keffer & Jones
Architectural Style:
No Style Listed
Area of Significance:
Conservation, Entertainment/Recreation, Agriculture, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
State
Historic Function:
Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function:
Fair
Current Function:
Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function:
Fair
Kingman Place Historic District (added 2000 - - #00000928)
27th to 31st Sts., Kingman Blvd., Rutland St. and Cottage Ave. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architectural Style:
Bungalow/Craftsman, Colonial Revival
Area of Significance:
Architecture, Community Planning And Development
Period of Significance:
1900-1924
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Linden Heights Historic District (added 2003 - - #03001262)
Foster Dr., Glenview Dr., Woodlawn, Park Hill Dr. W of SW 42nd St. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Johnson, Carl V., Boyd and Moore
Architectural Style:
Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival
Area of Significance:
Architecture, Transportation, Community Planning And Development
Period of Significance:
1950-1974, 1925-1949, 1900-1924
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic, Transportation
Historic Sub-function:
Road-Related, Secondary Structure, Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic, Recreation And Culture, Transportation
Current Sub-function:
Road-Related, Secondary Structure, Single Dwelling, Work Of Art (Sculpture, Carving, Rock Art)
Middlesex Plat Historic District (added 2000 - - #00000932)
Center St. to Woodland Ave., 31st to 35th Sts. , Des Moines
Smallbones, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Tillia, Henry
Architectural Style:
Bungalow/Craftsman
Area of Significance:
Community Planning And Development, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1900-1924
Owner:
Local
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Newens Sanitary Dairy Historic District (added 2003 - - #03000062)
Also known as Newens Danitary Dairy, Newens House
2300-2312 University Ave., and 2225 University Ave. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Person
Historic Person:
Newens, Lynn,, Newens, Susan
Significant Year:
1913, 1922, 1934
Area of Significance:
Agriculture, Commerce, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Agriculture/Subsistence, Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Processing, Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Hotel, Professional, Restaurant, Specialty Store
Oaklands, The, Historic District (added 1996 - - #96001155)
Oakland and Arlington Aves. between Franklin and College Aves. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Liebbe, Nourse, & Rasmussen, Cross, C.C., & Company
Architectural Style:
Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Queen Anne
Area of Significance:
Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Community Planning And Development
Period of Significance:
1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Multiple Dwelling, Single Dwelling
Owl's Head Historic District (added 1978 - - #78001253)
Ridge Rd., Forest Dr., 28th and 29th Sts. , Des Moines
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Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Multiple
Architectural Style:
Other, Colonial Revival, Late Victorian
Area of Significance:
Transportation, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Polk County Homestead and Trust Company Addition Historic District (added 2016 - - #16000687)
Des Moines, Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architectural Style:
Mixed (More Than 2 Styles From Different Periods), Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance:
Community Planning And Development, Architecture, Other
Period of Significance:
1886-1945 AD
Prospect Park Second Plat Historic District (added 1998 - - #98000375)
Also known as Official Plat of Government Lot 2, Corrected Plat of the Sec
Roughly along the Des Moines R. S to Franklin Ave., between 6th Ave. and 9th St. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
et.al., Vorse, Norman T.
Architectural Style:
Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Late Victorian
Area of Significance:
Community Planning And Development, Architecture, Landscape Architecture
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Local, Private
Historic Function:
Commerce/Trade, Domestic, Landscape
Historic Sub-function:
Department Store, Multiple Dwelling, Park, Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Commerce/Trade, Domestic, Landscape
Current Sub-function:
Business, Multiple Dwelling, Park, Single Dwelling
Riverview Park Plat Historic District (added 1996 - - #96001157)
Arlington Ave. between Franklin and 6th Aves. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Multiple et al.
Architectural Style:
Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival
Area of Significance:
Architecture, Community Planning And Development, Landscape Architecture
Period of Significance:
1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Multiple Dwelling, Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Multiple Dwelling, Single Dwelling
Sherman Hill Historic District (added 1979 - - #79000926)
Also known as See Also:Lexington, The;Sherman, Hoyt, Place
Roughly bounded by Woodland Ave., 19th, School, and 15th Sts. , Des Moines
Ankenycat, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Unknown
Architectural Style:
Late Victorian
Area of Significance:
Transportation, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Local, Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Multiple Dwelling, Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Multiple Dwelling, Single Dwelling
Sixth and Forest Historic District (added 1996 - - #96001156)
Jct. of 6th and Forest Aves., NE and NW corners , Des Moines
Slick-o-bot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architectural Style:
Romanesque, Early Commercial, Other
Area of Significance:
Architecture, Community Planning And Development
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Multiple Dwelling, Specialty Store
Current Function:
Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Multiple Dwelling, Specialty Store
Sylvan Theater Historic District (added 1995 - - #95000965)
Also known as Greenwood Park Outdoor Theater
In Greenwood Park on W side of 45th St., 1 block S of jct. with Grand Ave. , Des Moines
Ankenycat, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Robinson, Francis Asbury, Bartholomew, Harland, Associates
Architectural Style:
No Style Listed
Area of Significance:
Landscape Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation, Social History
Period of Significance:
1925-1949
Owner:
Local
Historic Function:
Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function:
Outdoor Recreation, Theater
Current Function:
Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function:
Outdoor Recreation, Theater
Valley Junction Commercial Historic District (added 2017 - - #100001739)
100-318 5th Street (even side 300 only) and cross streets, West Des Moines
Iowahwyman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architectural Style:
Mixed (More Than 2 Styles From Different Periods)
Area of Significance:
Commerce, Community Planning And Development
Period of Significance:
1893-1967 AD
Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District (added 2000 - - #00000929)
Also known as Droukas Court
1101-115 Droukas Court, 1228, 1232 E. 12th St. , Des Moines
Goddesshanna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Veneman, Vernon and Eva
Architectural Style:
Bungalow/Craftsman
Area of Significance:
Community Planning And Development, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924
Owner:
Private
Historic Function:
Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
West Ninth Streetcar Line Historic District (added 1998 - - #98000377)
Also known as Ninth Street Corridor;Ninth Street;9th Street;W. 9th St.
W. Ninth St. from University Ave. to Hickman Rd. , Des Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
et.al., Hallett & Rawson
Architectural Style:
Late Victorian, Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance:
Transportation, Community Planning And Development, Architecture
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924, 1875-1899
Owner:
Local, Private
Historic Function:
Domestic, Education, Landscape, Transportation
Historic Sub-function:
College, Multiple Dwelling, Park, Rail-Related, Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Domestic, Government, Landscape, Transportation
Current Sub-function:
Correctional Facility, Fire Station, Multiple Dwelling, Park, Road-Related, Single Dwelling
Woodland Place Historic District (added 2000 - - #00000927)
Also known as Woodland Heights Neighborhood
25th to 27th St. to Woodland Ave. , De Moines
Boscophotos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic Significance:
Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer:
Taylor, Harry, Pharmer, Henry
Architectural Style:
Bungalow/Craftsman
Area of Significance:
Architecture, Community Planning And Development
Period of Significance:
1925-1949, 1900-1924
Owner:
Local
Historic Function:
Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Historic Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
Current Function:
Commerce/Trade, Domestic
Current Sub-function:
Single Dwelling
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