A former Iowa governor’s home and one of Des Moines’ last remaining railroad depots have been named to the Des Moines Rehabber’s Club “Seven Most Endangered Buildings” for 2009.

Over the period of about a month, the DMRC received nominations from the public for buildings, homes or structures within the City of Des Moines deemed to be in danger of demolition or neglect. With nearly 800 votes cast, the public made the final decision on which buildings would make the list. The results will help raise awareness of endangered structures in Des Moines and promote opportunities for rehabilitating them.

“Our main goal is to draw attention to these properties and raise awareness of their contribution to Des Moines history,” said Steve Wilke-Shapiro, DMRC organizer. “We also hope the resulting list will provide an opportunity for those who are interested to rehabilitate, reuse or reinvest in these worthy structures.”

The following have been selected as the 2009 “Des Moines Seven Most Endangered Buildings” (in no particular order):

Drake Neighborhood Victorian, 1075 26th Street. This 1889 home was purchased during a tax sale earlier this year. It had been converted into multiple small apartments, and the new owners gutted it in preparation for conversion back to single family. Their plans have changed and it is now for sale. Portions of the structure are currently open to the elements. This structure is located directly adjacent to the Kingman Place National Register Historic District and would potentially be eligible for inclusion as a contributing structure in a new nomination. It is an excellent example of the type and style of structure constructed as part of the early development of the Drake University neighborhood.
East Side Union Railroad Depot, 120 E. 5th. The structure is one of two known passenger depots still standing in Des Moines and the only one on the east side. Built in 1900, the depot came under scrutiny only four years later for not being big enough to accommodate the growing number of passengers. At the time, there were four railroads stopping at the “little station”: the Wabash Railroad, Chicago Great Western Railway; the Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad; and the Des Moines, Iowa Falls and Northern Railway.
Former Governor Jackson Mansion, 1618 Oakland. Frank Jackson and his family lived here prior to and during his term as governor (1894-1896). Since Iowa did not provide a house for governors at the time, the house was in effect the Iowa Governor’s Mansion from 1895 to 1897. The Jacksons lived here until the early 1920s when they moved to California. In 1925, the Jackson House and the home of Iowa Supreme Court Justice Scott Ladd at 1624 Oakland were purchased for a proposed Baptist Home and Orphanage.
Fairground Hardware, 2951 E. Walnut St. Built in 1895, the building served as the home of Sherman Lodge #576, associated with Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). In 1998, it was sold to the current owners and has been the location of this neighborhood hardware store ever since. While this building isn't as physically in danger as many of the other nominations, this particular nomination highlights the fragile condition of the neighborhood hardware store that is critical to both homeowners and urban rehabbers. Several independent hardware stores in the City have closed in the recent past, and it is important to support the remaining ones. Not only do the staff actually know where everything is in the store, but they also often stock items particular to renovation and restoration work - and they know how to use them!
Former North Des Moines Town Hall, 1601 6th Ave. Also known as the Perry and Brainard Block, this building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Erected between 1888 and 1889, the building is significant in the Annexation Movement in Des Moines and its suburbs in the late 19th century, and it is the only known public building surviving this critical period. North Des Moines played a pivotal role in the Annexation Movement, as it was the largest in population among the suburbs and also the most vocal in stipulating conditions before endorsing annexation. It is the last remaining historic mixed-used building along 6th Avenue that has not been rehabilitated.
Double House, 4018-4020 Ingersoll Ave. Built in 1909, this structure was one of several double houses identified in the City of Des Moines’ “Community Preservation Plan” (1994-1995). The plan reads: “Double houses were developed in Des Moines as early as 1878 and continued to be built until the early part of the 20th century. Since most double houses were built near the central city, many have been demolished in recent years.” Both units of the double house are currently vacant.
Row House, 709 E. Locust. This 1894 building may be the oldest surviving row house in Polk County, though recent research suggests that the building next to it is actually a year older. The Iowa Department of Administrative Services has purchased the buildings at the foot of the West Capitol Terrace in order to finish plans for that project. The State has indicated it is interested in preserving the two historical buildings, though at the current time, what that means is unclear. The building was renovated in the early 00’s.

The Des Moines Rehabber’s Club received 13 nominations to its 2nd Annual Most Endangered Buildings list. This list highlights Des Moines buildings in danger of demolition or neglect.

Nominations for the Des Moines Most Endangered Buildings list typically meet the following criteria:

• The building or structure must be located in the City of Des Moines.

• The building must be threatened with either active demolition or permanent damage due to neglect within the next year. The building must not be too far deteriorated as to make rehabilitation unfeasible.
• There is no preference for building type, use, style, or size.
• A building does not have to be on the National Register or located in a historic district to be nominated.

The Des Moines Rehabbers Club is a group of people of all skill levels with a common interest in preservation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of Des Moines’ buildings. Free monthly meetings take place on the first Saturday of each month. Topics range from demonstrations and “work in progress” tours to classroom topics such as how to look up a home’s history. For more information, visit http://RenovateDSM.com.