Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #2 in Des Moines, United States

The Charles H. and Lena May Weitz House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. This 1½-story frame dwelling features a gable-front-and-wing configuration, a front porch located in the el of the facade, a single-story bay window on the south elevation, a dormer window on the facade, and steeply pitched roofs. Behind the house is a two-story, brick outbuilding. It is one of the few brick out buildings in the neighborhood. Both were constructed about 1891 by Charles H. Weitz for his home and his workshop. He was a partner and elder son of the founder of Charles Weitz & Sons, which was a prominent Des Moines construction firm in the late 19th and early 20th-century. During his time with the company, Charles H. Weitz "introduced modern methods of construction to this family business, thereby assuring its potential for growth." The Weitz Company grew to become a nationally recognized full-service general contractor. The house and outbuilding were listed together on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Wikipedia: Charles H. and Lena May Weitz House (EN), Heritage Website

The Byron A. Beeson House, also known as Mission Temple Academy, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Built c. 1890, the 2½-story structure features balloon frame construction, a complex roof system, and wrap-around front porch. Its flared cornice is considered unusual. It was originally a single-family dwelling that later became and education facility associated with the Church of God in Christ. It is also associated with Byron A. Beeson who served as Treasurer of Iowa from 1891 to 1895, and as Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard around the same time. The house's significance is derived from its location in suburban North Des Moines and its complex roof system. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. A stable along the alley behind the house shares the historic designation.

Wikipedia: Byron A. Beeson House (EN), Heritage Website

Sargent's Garage, also known as the Robinson's Paint and Body Shop, Grand Spring Body and Paint Company, and Fabio's, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Completed in 1924, this single-story commercial building emplifies vernacular commercial architecture. It features a rectangular plan, wood siding now covered with metal, and a flat roof. It originally had a symmetrical facade, which has now been altered. Its significance is that it is an early automobile repair and body shop, which was a new architectural form that was emerging in early 20th-century Iowa. It continued to serve this purpose until 1997 when it suffered a minor fire. The building sat vacant for a period of time until it was renovated and reopened. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Wikipedia: Sargent's Garage (EN), Website, Heritage Website

The Perry and Brainard Block, also known as the North Des Moines Town Hall, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The structure was built between 1888 and 1889 and the second floor served as the city hall for the suburb of North Des Moines. In the late 19th century Des Moines actively sought to annex its Victorian suburbs, with North Des Moines being the largest of these communities. This is the only known public building that has survived from the Annexation Movement era. The local government and community of North Des Moines debated annexation, not only of the municipalities, but of their schools as well. It was also the only community where the residents voted on the annexation issue, and this building also served as a polling place. The building served as the location of the celebration after the referendums passed in 1890. After its use as the city hall, the second floor became the lodge for the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Wikipedia: Perry and Brainard Block (EN), Heritage Website

The Wherry Block, also known as Wherry's Hall, Scruby Brothers Grocery, and Scruby's Grocery Store, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States.

Wikipedia: Wherry Block (EN), Heritage Website

The C.H. Baker Double House, also known as the Indiana Apartments, The Manor, and The Manor House, is an historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Built from 1901 to 1902, it is a two-story structure that features balloon frame construction with brick veneer. It was designed in the Colonial Revival style by the Des Moines architectural firm of Smith & Gutterson. Its significance is attributed to its location on the Sixth Avenue streetcar route "to capitalize on the appeal of public transportation." It was one of the first multiple-family rental properties along the avenue, and it was built for upper-middle class occupancy. It was part of the movement toward denser residential use in this area of the city. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Wikipedia: C.H. Baker Double House (EN), Heritage Website

The William H. and Alice Bailey House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa. It is a two-story, balloon frame, front gable dwelling. Its significance is attributed to its association with the Baileys.

Wikipedia: William H. and Alice Bailey House (EN), Heritage Website

Trent-Beaver House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. This single-story, brick, American Craftsman dwelling was completed in 1917 by the John Martin Company. It was as a single family dwelling built for the Central Land & Real Estate Company, which was a partnership of the brothers Francis E. Trent and John G. Trent. In 1923 it was converted into a mixed use building by Doctors Lincoln and Elizabeth Beaver, who were both chiropractors. They converted the front room into their office and lived in the rest of the house. They remained here until 1940. The house is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it call attention to the importance of small real estate developers and contractor-builders in the suburban residential development of Des Moines during the 1910s. Secondly, it calls attention to the importance of the streetcar in stimulating higher land use along its routes. The Trent-Beaver House was located along the 6th Avenue streetcar line, which helped the conversion of this single-family dwelling into a professional office. It was part of a wider movement of professional services from the central business district to the suburban areas that public transportation made possible. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Wikipedia: Trent-Beaver House (EN), Heritage Website

The Dr. John B. and Anna M. Hatton House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The house is significant for its suburban architecture in the former suburb of North Des Moines, especially the canted bay subtype of the Stick Style with Italianate influence. This 2½-story frame structure on a brick foundation features a hip roof with intersecting gables, a canted bay tower on the southeast corner, porches on the front and side, and a two-story bay window on the south elevation. The house was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. It was included as a contributing property in the Polk County Homestead and Trust Company Addition Historic District in 2016.

Wikipedia: Dr. John B. and Anna M. Hatton House (EN), Heritage Website

The Lowry W. and Hattie N. Goode First North Des Moines House, also known as the Allabach House, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The Late Victorian-style single-family dwelling is significant for its association with Lowry W. Goode. Goode was a prominent real estate developer in the Des Moines area in the 19th century. Built c. 1884 in what was the suburb of North Des Moines, this house is one of the last resources that calls attention to his work. The Goode's themselves built and occupied several houses in North Des Moines, and they lived here for about one year after it was built. They then used it as a rental property for a while until they sold it. The two-story brick structure features a main block with a rectangular plan, intersecting gables, a single-story bay window on the west elevation, a two-story extension on the south elevation, and a rear wing. The original porch has been removed. The house was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. It was included as a contributing property in the Polk County Homestead and Trust Company Addition Historic District in 2016.

Wikipedia: Lowry W. and Hattie N. Goode First North Des Moines House (EN), Heritage Website

The Chaffee-Hunter House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Built in 1886, the single family dwelling is named for its first two residents, Henry L. Chaffee and Edward H. Hunter who bought it from Chaffee in 1891. The house calls attention to Hunter who served as the local postmaster from 1894 to 1898. He conceived and implemented the idea of a streetcar-mounted collection box for the mail. It was later implemented in other cities in the country. The 2½-story frame Queen Anne structure features a gable-on-hip roof with intersecting gables, a brick foundation, wrap-around porch, and dormer windows. The house was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. It was included as a contributing property in the Polk County Homestead and Trust Company Addition Historic District in 2016.

Wikipedia: Chaffee-Hunter House (EN), Heritage Website

The Dr. Anna E. and Andrew A. Johnstone House is a historic house in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Built in 1887, the Queen Anne-style house was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. It was included as a contributing property in the Polk County Homestead and Trust Company Addition Historic District in 2016.

Wikipedia: Dr. Anna E. and Andrew A. Johnstone House (EN), Heritage Website

The Julius Scheibe Cottage at 815 College Ave. in Des Moines, Iowa, United States, was built in 1898. It was a work of architect George E. Hallett. It and the adjacent house split a corner land parcel and both faced south, while all other houses in the area faced the east or west ends of their parcels. The "parcelization of corner lots" this way increased density and the value of their real estate.

Wikipedia: Julius Scheibe Cottage (EN), Heritage Website

Trinity United Methodist Church is located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 as Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, which was its previous name.

Wikipedia: Trinity United Methodist Church (Des Moines, Iowa) (EN), Heritage Website

The William A. and Etta Baum Cottage is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Built in 1891, the 1½-story structure features a gable-end facade, brick foundation, and a small front porch with a gable-end roof. It is considered a good example of the gable-on-hip subtype of the Queen Anne cottage. There were only a few that were built with 1½-stories as most were two-stories. Its significance is based on how it demonstrates that a modest-sized dwelling can embrace the picturesque design. The cottage was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. It was included as a contributing property in the Polk County Homestead and Trust Company Addition Historic District in 2016.

Wikipedia: William A. and Etta Baum Cottage (EN), Heritage Website

The Susie P. Turner Double House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. This two-story duplex features a symmetrical facade, brick in various colors, decorative cast stone, and a fullwidth front porch that is supported by three brick columns. Built in 1914, its significance is its combination of Prairie School architecture and American Craftsman styling. At the time it was constructed the double house was still a somewhat uncommon building type in Des Moines. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Wikipedia: Susie P. Turner Double House (EN), Heritage Website

The Rev. R.W. and Fannie E. Keeler House, also known as the Henry C. Borzo House, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The house is significant for its being one of the best examples in Des Moines of the attic balcony gable subtype of the Stick Style. It was built by local contractor-builder Detwiler and Bedford in 1889 as speculative housing. Most residential construction in Des Moines was in small developments between about 1880 and 1941, and this house was a part of one such development. This 2½-story frame structure shows its Stick Style influence with a hip and gabled roof, decorative trussed attic balconies that are supported by large decorative brackets, wide bracketed overhanging eaves, and wood clapboard walls with decorative patterns of horizontal boards. The property also contains a barn from the same time period, but it has been significantly altered over the years and now serves as a garage. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

Wikipedia: Rev. R.W. and Fannie E. Keeler House (EN), Heritage Website

The Edward B. and Nettie E. Evans House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is significant as the best Free Classic Queen Anne style dwelling in the city. It is a transitional architectural style. The 2½-story structure shows elements of both the Queen Anne and the Neoclassical styles. The Queen Anne is found in the asymmetrical plan, the complex roof treatment, the full width and recessed porches, and contrasting shingle patterns. The Neoclassical is found in the window and door trim, the grouped classical porch columns, and the Palladian window in the attic level.

Wikipedia: Edward B. and Nettie E. Evans House (EN), Heritage Website

The Basilica of St. John is a Minor Basilica of the Catholic Church in the Drake neighborhood of Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is also a parish church in the Diocese of Des Moines. The church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Wikipedia: Basilica of St. John (Des Moines, Iowa) (EN), Website, Heritage Website

The Capt. Nicholas W. and Emma Johnson House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa. The house is an unusual example in Des Moines of Châteauesque design elements added to a late Queen Anne style house. The design was attributed to Des Moines architect Oliver O. Smith and was built by local contractor Charles Weitz. The 2½-story brick structure features large massing, a prominent front-facing gable, two full-height polygonal side bays, steeply pitched hipped roof, smooth and rough wall surfaces, contrasting courses, and the fleur-de-lis motif executed in stone, ceramic tile, and glass.

Wikipedia: Capt. Nicholas W. and Emma Johnson House (EN), Heritage Website

The F. F. Odenweller-James P. and Nettie Morey House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is a 1½-story frame cottage that follows an irregular plan. It features chamfered corners, Stick Style strips, moulded lintels, beaded corner boards, decorative shinglework, and a small front porch with a shed roof. The property on which it stands is one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The University sold the lot to Delos Cutler, one of the University Land Company organizers, in 1887. The next year he sold the property to F.F. Odenweller. After seven years the property was sold to A.A. Smith and O.E. Bowers. In 1896, the year the house was built, the property was sold to J.P. Morey, and he owned it for twenty-three years. Its significance is attributed to the effect of the University's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Wikipedia: F. F. Odenweller-James P. and Nettie Morey House (EN), Heritage Website

The John P. Simmons House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. This simple 1½-story frame dwelling features a gable front, rectangular plan, and a hipped roof front porch. The property on which it stands is one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The house's significance is attributed to the effect of the University's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. Delos Cutler, one of the organizers of the University Land Company, acquired this lot and the one next to it in 1887. He sold them to F.F. Odenweller the following year. John P. Simmons bought this lot 25 in 1894, the same year the house was built. He either sold or mortgaged it to University Bank in 1900. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Wikipedia: John P. Simmons House (EN), Heritage Website

The Josiah Andrews House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is a 2½-story, rectangular, frame, front gable dwelling. It features Stick Style strips on the gable end, and brackets along the cornice. The property on which it stands is part of one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The university sold the lot to J. and H.L. Andrews in 1896, and they built this house at that time. Its significance is attributed to the effect of the university's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Wikipedia: Josiah Andrews House (EN), Heritage Website