National Register of Historic Places

Southeast Water Trough

Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Listed
October 7, 1976
Type
Structure
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
76000801

About this property

The Southeast Water Trough is a historic structure located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is one of the last of 15 National Humane Alliance fountains that were placed around the city by the Iowa Humane Alliance. They were also named Ensign fountains after the founder of the National Humane Alliance, Hermon Lee Ensign. This was one of two placed in Des Moines in 1906. The 6-foot (1.8 m) tall granite structure features a rectangular shaft that is surrounded by a 6-foot (1.8 m) bowl. Four small cups are located at the base to provide water for smaller animals. The fountain rests on a base of tiles. It is a reminder of the horse and buggy era before the prevalence of indoor plumbing. While it served a practical function of watering horses, it also served a social function as a place where people in the local community could gather. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Location

Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
41.58272, -93.59961

Categories

SOCIAL HISTORY
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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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Timeline
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Nearby Historic Sites

Seth Richards Commercial Block
Industrial
0.5 mi
Hotel Kirkwood
Industrial
0.6 mi
Des Moines Western Railway Freight House
Industrial
0.6 mi
Iowa State Capitol
Industrial
0.6 mi
Iowa State Historical Building
Industrial
0.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Southeast Water Trough listed on the National Register?

Southeast Water Trough was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 7, 1976.

What type of historic resource is Southeast Water Trough?

Southeast Water Trough is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Southeast Water Trough?

The period of significance for Southeast Water Trough is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Southeast Water Trough?

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