National Register of Historic Places

Iowa Commission for the Blind Building

Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Listed
July 1, 2010
Type
Building
Period
Colonial
Ref No.
09000714

About this property

The Iowa Commission for the Blind Building is a historic building in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The building is a steel-framed structure covered in brick. It is a nine-story state government office building that rises 95 feet (29 m) above the ground. The building was completed in 1913 for use by the YMCA. It was designed by the Des Moines architectural firm of Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson in the Neoclassical style. When the YMCA moved to their present location in 1959, the state acquired the building for the Iowa Commission for the Blind, now known as the Iowa Department for the Blind. It was here that the commission, under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan transformed rehabilitation services for the blind in the state into what became known as the Iowa Model. It is based on the belief that with the proper training and opportunity, the blind can live productive and successful lives. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Location

524 4th St.
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
41.59133, -93.62322

Categories

SOCIAL HISTORYEDUCATIONPOLITICS/GOVERNMENT
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Scottish Rite Consistory Building
Industrial
0.1 mi
American Republic Insurance Company Headquarters Building
Industrial
0.1 mi
St. Ambrose Cathedral and Rectory
Industrial
0.2 mi
Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Des Moines Building
Early Republic
0.3 mi
Homestead Building
Industrial
0.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Iowa Commission for the Blind Building listed on the National Register?

Iowa Commission for the Blind Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 1, 2010.

What type of historic resource is Iowa Commission for the Blind Building?

Iowa Commission for the Blind Building is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Iowa Commission for the Blind Building?

The period of significance for Iowa Commission for the Blind Building is recorded as the colonial era.

Can I research the history near Iowa Commission for the Blind Building?

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