National Register of Historic Places

Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House

West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Listed
February 17, 1983
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
83000400

About this property

The Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House is a historic building located in West Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Valley Junction was incorporated in 1893, and it was named for the junction of three lines of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad where it was located. This two-story brick building was constructed to house the community's city hall and fire station, even though the fire department would not be established until 1905. The fire station was located on the first floor, and the city hall was located on the second floor. It was located a block north of the train depot. An interurban railway connected the town to Des Moines, and its proximity to the Iowa coal fields contributed to its growth. By 1911 the town grew to be the second largest community in Polk County, and its name was changed to West Des Moines by 1940. The building was used for city hall until 1952. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It was included as a contributing property in the Valley Junction Commercial Historic District in 2017.

Location

137 5th St.
West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
41.57076, -93.70835

Categories

POLITICS/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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Overview
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Nearby Historic Sites

I.O.O.F. (International Order of Odd Fellows) Valley Junction Lodge Hall No. 604
Industrial
0.1 mi
Valley Auto Co.-Morgan Auto Co. Garage
Industrial
0.2 mi
U.S. Post Office
Industrial
0.3 mi
Val-Air Ballroom
Industrial
1 mi
Jordan House
Industrial
1.6 mi

Questions about this property

When was Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House listed on the National Register?

Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 17, 1983.

What type of historic resource is Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House?

Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House?

The period of significance for Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House?

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