NOTE: RFP responses from qualified consultants are DUE no later than April 19, 2010. A copy of the full RFP document is can be downloaded by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.

Reconnaissance Level Historical and Architectural Survey of the Drake Neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines has a number federally designated historic districts. Each of them has a unique character and type of historical assets. Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places is an involved process that requires extensive documentation and categorization of the physical structures in the proposed district.

To be considered eligible, a district must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. The evaluation process involves an in-depth examination of the age, integrity, and significance of the structures in the district. The nomination form becomes an excellent source for historical information!

The Des Moines Public Library is building a history wiki with an ever-expanding map of historical places in the city. This map shows the locations of some of the historic districts as well as many of the individually listed places.

The Des Moines Rehabbers Club has posted the nomination forms for most of the historic districts here. We are still attempting to locate copies of the remaining forms. If you notice one missing and have access to it, please use the Contact form to let us know!

Reading the House

Information can be gleaned from the building itself, the surrounding context, and the physical records of the building's change over time.

Examine the Context

Look at the house in relation to the other buildings on the block. Are all the homes the same architectural style? How does your home relate to adjacent homes in size and setback? Are the lots equal or different sizes?

This map shows all the current National Register listed properties, historic tax credit projects underway, and completed historic tax credit projects in Polk County.

The following "White Paper" was produced by Preservation Iowa to promote passage of the Historic Homeowner Tax Credit bill in 2010:

The federal government has long had a robust tax credit program designed to encourage the restoration of historic commercial properties. Currently, those who own qualifying historic properties for investment purposes may qualify for a tax credit of up to 20% of their qualified rehabilitation costs. Those who own a historic home for use as their residence, however, do not

This map was created by reNew Design Studio for use by the Smart Growth Development coalition. Click on the image to download a PDF version.

The next step in the process is developing a time line of ownership from the first plat to current day. There are a couple resources that can help in this process: the property Abstract (if you can get it) and the County Auditor/Assessor.

Use a spreadsheet to keep track of names, dates, and notes for each transaction.

Abstract

The Sanborn maps were created to aid in setting fire insurance policies. Today they serve as one of the best historical records of physical development in many cities and towns. Some of the information shown on the Sanborn maps includes:

• Street addresses and street names

• Building footprints
• Porches
• Construction type
• Accessory buildings
• Alleys
• Lot lines

The following is the text from a talk I gave at the Terrace Hill Tea on November 17, 2009.

Introduction

Thank you to the Terrace Hill Foundation for inviting me to speak to you today. I can not think of a better place to be discussing preservation and renovation than in this beautiful building.

Perhaps it is just a general appreciation of craftsmanship. Perhaps it is an interest in historic people and events. Either way, your presence here at this event says that you probably understand to some degree the importance of buildings as part of our shared history.

NOTE: More detailed how-to information on this topic can now be found at this page

The State Library of Iowa has online access to the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for cities throughout the state, including Des Moines. The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps were created to assist insurance agencies in determining insurance risk for individual buildings. The originals consist of bound books, indexed by street address range, that map out property lines, building footprints, and construction type.

Historically, insurance companies relied on these books to underwrite policies. Today, precise actuarial tables take into account a broader variety of structural and owner characteristics, and the Sanborn maps are used primarily in historical research - they remain one of the most complete accountings of the urban built environment available.

Through the State Library of Iowa, the Sanborn maps from 1884, 1891, 1901, 1906, and 1920 (with updates into the '50s) are available online. The earlier maps, up to 1906, only cover a small portion of the current Des Moines city.

In order to access the maps online, you must register for a FREE State Library of Iowa card number. The administrator will e-mail you your assigned access number within a few days.

Once you have your library card number, use it to log in to http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/services/resources/sanborn-login. Simply follow the instructions for accessing the maps for the town you are interested in. You will probably have to zoom in on the first few pages (which are the index) to find the address you are looking for.

[contributed to RenovateDSM by Jennifer Irsfeld James, MAHP]

Architect-designed houses rare. More commonly built by builders – and may have evolved over time. Especially for 19th-century houses, may have started with a cottage that was expanded over time.

Sanborn Maps

Look for the footprint of your house on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, available online to Des Moines Public Library card holders.

The Sanborn company produced these detailed plans for use by fire insurance companies and fire departments during a time when fires were a common hazard.

Fire insurance maps of the neighborhood, commonly called “Sanborn maps”, will show the outline of the house and any outbuildings, number of stories, and any outbuildings. Since new maps were often produced every 10 to 20 years, comparing maps may yield clues to additions and other alterations made to structures on the property, as well as changes to street names and numbers.

Savvy homeowners use these maps to help date construction and aid in reconstruction of original porches and carriage houses/garages, plus inappropriate additions best to be removed.

Maps of Des Moines were drawn in 1884, 1891, 1901, and 1920, with updates made through 1956.

Each map shows the most developed areas of the city, where the threat of fire was greatest. It's possible you may not find your address on every map.

Be aware that some street names and numbers (addresses) have changed over the years. In addition, construction of I-235 and university expansion have destroyed many houses, so it can be a bit disorienting to look at pre-1950 maps.

Also keep in mind that these maps were drawn by hand -- so even though they are highly accurate, some minor errors were made. Those caveats aside, the Sanborn maps are a key resource for unlocking the history of your house.

Talk With Neighbors and Locate Previous Residents

A neighbor (or former neighbor) may have a cache of photos that show your house.

Photos, letters, ephemera, oral history from previous neighbors/residents/owners and relatives of the same are best and perhaps most overlooked resources!

Learn About Your Neighborhood

Many resources categorized by historic names of neighborhoods and one-time suburbs now part of the city.

• State Historical Society Of Iowa Historical Research Library

• Des Moines Public Library
• Drake University’s Cowles Library, etc.

Researching houses in Des Moines is often a treasure hunt for clues. Juicy tidbits about a home’s history reside in resources such as city directories, county deeds, and old newspaper clippings.

Overview of the Research Process

• Read the House – Look for clues in the house and surrounding context

• Trace Ownership – Build a time line of who owned the house
• Uncover Resident History – Research the people who lived in the house
• Referenced Tangents – Dig up sources referenced in your prior research
  

One of the great joys of owning an old home is the sense of history that accompanies it. This history can help guide sensitive renovation projects, establish a connection with the past, and construct a greater understanding of the building's unique character.