Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District
National Register of Historic Places

Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District

Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
Listed
November 21, 2000
Type
District
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
00000929

About this property

The Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District, also known as Droukas Court, is located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is the only example of a Post World War I “California bungalow court” in the city. The district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000. It is part of The Bungalow and Square House Des Moines Residential Growth And Development, 1900-1942 MPS. The eleven houses in Droukas Court were built between 1924 and 1926. It is one of three "California bungalow court” developments in Des Moines. The other two examples are the Lincoln Court and Goddard Bungalow Court Historic District. They were both built in 1916. Droukas Court was a late example of a bungalow development and the only post-World War I example. It was successful as a rental complex as it was built near a street car line. Unlike the Godard, Droukas Court was built after the automobile became popular and nearby off-site parking garages were built for the tenants. John B. Veneman acquired the property in two parcels in February 1909 from John H. Cash and W. R. Mathews. The odd numbered bungalows on the southern portion of the district were constructed after the building permits were issued on September 23, 1924 to Ringland Veneman. The even-numbered houses on the north side of the district were built after the building permits were issued on March 19, 1926 to V. V. Veneman. The houses on the south have a more varied porch treatment, which suggests that there was interest in visual variety that faded by the time the houses on the northern were built. The development was initially known as Veneman Court until 1954 when it was sold to Dan and Georgia Droukas and renamed Droukas Court. It has been known by that name ever since. They sold it to Gene Andrews and Jess Comley who in turn sold it to George and Bertha Archer. Renters over the years have been either families or elderly tenants. In more recent years tenants have qualified for low rent housing.

Location

1101-115 Droukas Court, 1228, 1232 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
41.60095, -93.60726

Categories

COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENTARCHITECTURE
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.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District

This page lists Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
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
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District report
Or see a real report first

Nearby Historic Sites

Gabriel, Rees, House
Industrial
0.6 mi
Iowa State Historical Building
Industrial
0.6 mi
Iowa State Capitol
Industrial
0.7 mi
Baker-Devotie-Hollingsworth Block
Industrial
0.7 mi
Teachout Building
Industrial
0.8 mi

Questions about this property

When was Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District listed on the National Register?

Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 21, 2000.

What type of historic resource is Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District?

Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District is classified as a district in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District?

The period of significance for Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District is recorded as the industrial era, specifically around 1900.

Can I research the history near Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Polk County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Polk County.

Explore PolkCounty ›

More historic places in Iowa

Browse all historic places in Iowa.

View Iowahistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Iowa history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Iowahistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Veneman's Bungalow Court Historic District will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report