Don's Service Station - Move Prep

Thanks to the tireless work of the East Village neighborhood association, $60,000 was raised to move this "most endangered" building from the wrecking ball. This photo shows preparations for the move - the mover had to dig trenches underneath the building before inserting huge steel beams to lift and relocate the masonry structure.

Don's Service Station - Move Prep

A bobcat positions the steel beams underneath the former Don's Service Station building in preparation for the move.

Don's Service Station - Building Move

The former Don's Service Station dates back to 1931 when it was erected by The Continental Oil Company (now ConocoPhillips) as a training station for gas dealers. Constructed of terra cotta in the Spanish Mission Revival style of architecture, the building served the east side of downtown Des Moines as a gas and service station nearly 80 years. JSC Properties, which is owned by Jim Cownie, acquired the property in August of 2008 as part of a larger real estate transaction. Cownie plans to develop the property as a parking lot.

Historic East Village has been working overtime to save this building from the wrecking ball - they passed first hurdle, and the building was moved on Saturday to a temporary site at 3rd and Walnut.

Here is video of the moving process:

Historic Gas Station Sold to Collector; Will Remain in East Village

The Historic East Village, Inc. (HEV) Board of Directors today inked an agreement with Jerry Bassman to finalize the purchase of the building formerly known as Don’s East Grand Texaco.

The gas station, removed from its original location at 203 E. Grand in April, has been sitting on a temporary site at E. 3rd and Walnut while HEV sought a buyer and worked to raise money to offset moving expenses. In May, the Board voted to list the building on eBay. Bassman, an antiques collector and regular eBay user, first saw the gas station listed there and became interested.

“When I saw the station listed on eBay without any bids, I was concerned we were going to lose it forever,” Bassman said. “I have a large collection of antiques and I just thought this would be a good little building to house them in.”

The purchase price is undisclosed, but is enough to cover HEV’s outstanding debt. Fundraising efforts produced more than half the expenses associated with saving the building, estimated at about $70,000.

Bassman owns EDM Storage, a collection of buildings at E. 6th and Des Moines streets, as well as the Northland Dairy building at 621 Des Moines Street. The station will be moved once again by Aug. 1 to its final location immediately east of the Northland Dairy building on what is now a vacant lot, also owned by Bassman. Mike Kinter, Kinter Construction, will work with Bassman to construct a foundation upon which the building will be placed so that it can be accessed at street level.

“There was no question this was the right decision,” Kinter said. “Not only does it keep the gas station in the neighborhood in which it was built, but also keeps it accessible to the public for years to come.”

Kinter and Bassman will also work to determine the building’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places, a requirement in acquiring any historic preservation grants and assistance.

The gas station building dates to 1931 when it was erected by The Continental Oil Company (now ConocoPhillips) as a flagship location in Des Moines. Constructed of terra cotta in the Spanish Mission Revival style of architecture, the building served the east side of downtown Des Moines as a gas and service station nearly 80 years. JSC Properties, which is owned by Jim Cownie, acquired the property at 203 E. Grand in August 2008 as part of a larger real estate transaction. Cownie has since developed that property as a parking lot.

In October 2008, the Des Moines Rehabber’s Club named the structure one of seven “Most Endangered Properties” in Des Moines. HEV continues to sell commemorative bricks salvaged from the station for a $100 donation to the organization. Call (515) 971-4364 for more information.