Marcus News Building, Marcus, Cherokee County

Marcus News Building

Reason for designation: The Marcus News Building, built in the early 1910s, was originally known as the Edmonds Bank Building. It is located at the primary intersection of North Main and West Cedar Streets in Marcus. The building retains its original built-in vaults on the main floor and basement, and much of the decorative woodwork dating back to the original bank. Over the years, it has also been occupied by: Frank's Place (a pool hall and entertainment establishment), the second floor offices of Dr. M. F. Joynt and Attorney Mark Bancroft, a barbershop and beauty parlor, and the offices of the Marcus News. The News offices are still located in the building. Although the Marcus News Building is structurally sound, the roof is in need of repair. There are a few broken windows on the second floor, which has also contributed to significant water damage to both the ceiling and the walls. With only a portion of the building being used by the News, the remainder of the interior is in desperate need of repair. Only the area being used has heat, air conditioning, and plumbing, and there is a great deal of refuse inside the building. The property is currently for sale.

Eldora YMCA, Eldora, Hardin County

Eldora YMCA

Reason for designation: The Eldora YMCA, built in 1890, is significant as one of very few YMCAs still surviving from this era. The building is remarkably intact on the exterior. Architectural features include the original cornice, cast iron columns at the entry, and original wood-framed windows. According to Sanborn fire insurance maps, the building was used as a community library from at least 1893 until after 1900. The 1911 map indicates it was being used as a laundry at that time. A restaurant later occupied the space until it became a laundry again in the 1980s. The YMCA is part of a commercial district that is currently being surveyed for listing on the National Register. Today, the Eldora YMCA is in dire need of repair. The middle section of the cornice is missing and the roof is in critical condition. Water damage is occurring in the interior with no attempts to stop it. The threat is not only that this historic building could suffer a roof collapse soon, but that the loss of this building will endanger the connecting buildings on either side and leave a large hole in an otherwise intact commercial historic district. The owners of the building are a defunct corporation and the city is trying to make arrangements to legally assume ownership of the building.

Hotel Charitone, Chariton, Lucas County

Hotel Charitone

Reason for designation: The Hotel Charitone is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significant association with the development of Chariton as a county seat and as an excellent example of the work of local architect William L. Perkins. Opening to great fanfare in November 1923, the hotel was equipped with the modern conveniences, including tile floors, a telephone in every room, and the finest in restaurant equipment. The hotel not only provided quality housing for the traveling public, it served as a place for local social affairs. Today, the Hotel Charitone stands abandoned, mothballed, and in significant decline. Over the last year, a portion of the bricks detached from the facade and fell to the sidewalk below. Although the owner took steps to prevent additional damage, including stabilizing the walls, covering the windows with plywood, and blocking the sidewalk with a plywood fence, the building continues to decline. The community, chamber, city officials, and others are discussing the immediate future of the building. Due to safety concerns, the discussion revolves around demolition. However, the building is an important landmark within the community and should be rehabilitated to create added value to the downtown business district. The owner wants to rehab the building, but is having difficulty with financing the work needed.

Kent Union Chapel, Brooklyn, Poweshiek County

Kent Union Chapel

Reason for designation: Built between 1907 and 1909, Kent Union Chapel is symbolic of a way of life that has all but disappeared from Iowa's rural farm communities. Located northwest of Brooklyn, next to Kent Cemetery, the building served as a gathering place for occasional church services, weddings, and funerals. The Ladies Aid Society was instrumental in getting the chapel built and for 60 years, supported and maintained the Chapel and Cemetery by raising funds through chicken suppers, ice cream socials, and quilting projects. The women also supported the community and, during World War I, rolled bandages and did sewing projects for the Red Cross. The Kent Chapel Ladies Aid Society disbanded in the 1970s due to their declining membership. The building is in the process of being nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Kent Union Chapel has suffered due to many years of abandonment and lack of maintenance. Raccoons have infiltrated the building and there are holes in the roof, broken windows, and rotting floor boards. Although the limestone foundation is in reasonable condition, the exterior needs painting, and the trim is rotting and needs to be repaired or replaced. The building owners would like to see the building rehabilitated, but are not able to do it on their own.

Crescent Park Log Cabin, Lake View, Sac County

Reason for designation: The log cabin in Crescent Park was originally located five miles east of Lake View, and was built in 1872 by the David W. Belt family. In 1926, the Belt Family sold the building for $1 to the Lake View Park Board, with the stipulation that the cabin be moved to a public park as a memorial to the early pioneers. It contains several relics and antiques furnished by residents of the Lake View area. Located near the city historical museum and an old country schoolhouse in Crescent Park, teachers and tourists have enjoyed it over the years. Today, the Crescent Park Log Cabin is in tough shape. The ceiling beams sag, the back wall is collapsing, and the stairs are structurally unsafe. The building has been closed to the public for several years, and a significant amount of debris adds to the hazardous conditions of the building. Several of the relics and antiques need to be repaired or replaced. If the cabin is not restored and maintained as stipulated by the Belt family, it will be removed and no longer available for public use. Although the mayor and city council appreciate the value of the building as a tourist attraction and educational tool, there has been little action to hire a consultant or budget for any repairs to the structure.

Hose House #5, Sioux City, Woodbury County

Hose House #5

Reason for designation: Built in 1894, Hose House #5 was used by the Sioux City Fire Services Division as Hose Company #4 until 1911, and then Hose Company #5 between 1912 and 1954. Since the mid-1950s, the building has had several tenants, the most recent vacated the building in 1984. The building has been evaluated as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Hose House #5 stands empty and neglected. Although the building is secure, there has been no upkeep or maintenance for over 25 years. The roof is 25 percent gone and the interior is losing plaster walls and ceilings due to moisture damage. Although the owner wants to see the building restored and put back into service, the city has "red-tagged" the building for demolition. There is a limited amount of time to rehab the structure before the city moves forward with their plans.

Bluff Mills Bridge, Andrew, Jackson County

Bluff Mills Bridge

Reason for designation: The Bluff Mills Bridge, also known as the Fountain Dale Bridge near Andrew, Iowa was built in 1902. It is described as a steel, five-panel pin connected Pratt Through Truss Bridge. The Clinton Bridge and Iron Works Company constructed the bridge. Currently a group of citizens has expressed an interest in saving the bridge to include a connection to a walking and bike trail and picnic area. The Jackson County Supervisors are willing to work to preserve the bridge, but do not wish to use further county tax money on the project. The time constraints are the main concern.

Red Oak Commercial Buildings, Red Oak, Montgomery County

Red Oak Commercial Buildings

Reason for designation: The seven endangered structures in Red Oak comprise about one-third of the downtown city square district, which has been designated as a local historic district. The structures were built between 1890 and 1910. The structures have been deteriorating; however, none of them have any major structural malfunctions. At this time, the city government of Red Oak is not willing to allow time for requisite restoration work to take place. The current owner purchased the seven buildings to protect them from proposed demolition.

Hopkins Building, Bonaparte, Van Buren County

Hopkins Building

Reason for designation: The Hopkins Building, built in 1853, is one of the oldest structures in the Bonaparte National Historic District. It is in a state of advanced deterioration. All wood in the structure needs to be replaced. The threat is that the walls might fail before the owners are financially able to restore the building.

Clinton Post Office, Clinton, Clinton County

Reason for designation: The Clinton Post Office, built in 1900-02, was vacated in 1992 and has been used as storage since. It is suffering from neglect. Current rumors are that the building may be torn down to make room for a parking lot. The structure was included in the 2001 list of Iowa's Most Endangered Properties.

Clinton Public Library, Clinton, Clinton County

Reason for designation: The Clinton Public Library is a Carnegie library built in 1904. The building was listed on the National Register in 1983. At the time of designation as one of Iowa's Most Endangered, the City of Clinton was going to build a new library or move the contents to a different facility and the future of the Library was unsure.

Update: In January 2008, the Library Board of Trustees announced plans to study preserving the Clinton Public Library by constructing an addition. SGGM Architects and Interior Designers of Davenport are working with the Board, library staff, and Friends of the Clinton Public Library to study the various options.

Trimble Parker Historic District, Davis County

Reason for designation: Trimble Parker Historic District in Davis County represents Iowa farm operations at the turn of the century. Placed on the National Register in 2004, the farmstead includes a unique "U" shaped barn. At the time of designtion on the Most Endangered List, the owners were divided on the future of the property. Two owners prefer preservation, the other three wish to sell to the highest bidder.

Sacred Heart Church, Ida Grove, Ida County

Reason for designation: Sacred Heart Church, built in 1899, is slated to be torn down and a new church is to be built. This church represents a growing trend of tearing down older churches rather than restoring or finding other uses for them. St. Irenaeus and St. Boniface Churches in Clinton have been on Iowa's Most Endangered Properties list twice previously are still in danger of being lost. St. Patrick's Church in Clinton, also listed twice, was torn down this year.

Monticello Carnegie Building, Monticello, Jones County

Reason for designation: The Monticello Carnegie Building, built in 1903-04, has served as the Monticello library since. The library is likely to be moved next year, and the future of the present structure is unknown.

Stipes Country Store and Storekeeper's House, Grant, Montgomery County

Reason for designation: Stipes Country Store and Storekeeper's House in Grant were built in the 1870s. The current owner is interested in restoration within a restored historical commercial district. Both structures are in need of immediate repair. The buildings were listed on the National Register in 2003.

Washington County Hospital, Washington County

Reason for designation: Washington County Hospital, built in 1912, was the first hospital in the United States to be publicly funded by county residents. It has continued to serve as part of the hospital complex to the present. Recently the Board of Trustees voted to raze the structure to make room for a new structure. The building was listed on the National Register in 1977.

Update: Washington preservationists fought hard to preserve the building, but it was demolished in early 2006 to make way for a new facility.

Canadian National Railway Depot, Storm Lake, Buena Vista County

Reason for designation: The depot, built in 1915, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the time of designation, a local group had been formed and hoped to restore the Prairie style structure to be used as a welcome center and museum. The Railway indicated plans to demolish the depot in order to construct a new building for use as an office and equipment storage facility on the same site. Negotiations between the Railway and the local depot preservation committee were underway.

Churches of Clinton, Clinton, Clinton County

Reason for designation: St. Irenaeus Church, built in 1852; St. Boniface Church, built in 1908; and St. Patrick's Church and Rectory, built in 1905, were listed as a group on our Most Endangered Properties list in 2002 and individually in previous lists. Church officials agreed that the buildings were inefficient and too small to serve the needs of the Clinton Catholic population. St. Patrick's was closed in 1997. St. Irenaeus closed in the winter of 2003, and was only being used in warm weather months. At the time of designation, plans were to demolish all of the structures and replace them with one new, larger church.

Update: Despite ongoing efforts by the Citizen's Coalition to Save Our Catholic Churches, St. Patrick's Catholic Church and Rectory in Clinton were demolished in May 2005. The school was demolished the previous year. Other than the windows, little effort was made to save artifacts.

Boeing/United Terminal Building, Iowa City, Johnson County

Reason for designation: The Terminal is one of just seven original Air Mail terminals left in existence. Both sides could be opened to permit the aircraft to taxi inside. In inclement weather, both doors could be closed, allowing passengers and cargo to load in a climate-controlled environment. At the time of designation, the FAA had deemed that the building was too near the runway for modern safety standards. It was hoped that the structure could be moved onto a nearby lot. It was slated for demolition within 24 months.

John Wilson House, Earlham, Madison County

Reason for designation: The property is the last to remain of five houses built by John Wilson. Resources indicate that Wilson was active in the Underground Railroad in Iowa. The property, built in 1861, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the time of designation, a quarry was granted permission to blast as close as 300 feet from the structure, which is on the same bedrock as the blasting site. There had been damage to the house, and the potential for additional damage was great.

Camp Dodge Swimming Pool, Johnston, Polk County

Reason for designation: Built in the 1920s, the Camp Dodge Swimming Pool is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built to train soldiers for WW I, but the war ended before completion. It was opened to the public in 1922 and has operated continuously since. It is believed to be the world's largest outdoor filtered pool. Ronald Reagan spent many days there when he was a sportscaster in Des Moines in the 1930s. There is an oak tree that locals call the "Reagan Tree" because he parked his car there and courted the ladies under that tree. At the time of designation, assistance was needed to prevent the pool from being filled in, and plans were to remodel the bathhouse into a classroom/community center.

Charles R. & Lucille Hannan II and the Van Brunt Mansion, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County

Reason for designation: These houses were built circa 1900 by Charles R. Hannan and Henry H. Brunt. Hannan owned land in and around Council Bluffs. Van Brunt was an early dealer in buggies, carriages, wagons, and agricultural implements. The two men went into partnership and owned the Hannan-Van Brunt Motor Company located in Omaha. This was the first Ford dealership west of the Mississippi. At the time of designation, the properties were multi-tenant, low-income properties, and had decayed significantly in recent years.

Administration Building Naval Air Station, Ottumwa, Wapello County

Reason for designation: Built in 1942-43 as part of America's war effort, this building housed Communications, Commanding and Executive officers, Public Information, Personnel, and a variety of other offices. It is one of 28 remaining buildings out of about 60 originally constructed. In the 925 days the station was in operation, 4,626 students completed training at the facility. At the time of designation, the building had been empty for several years and received minimal maintenance.

Columbia Opera House, Correctionville, Woodbury County

Reason for designation: Built in 1888, and rebuilt after a fire in 1892, the Opera House was the social center of the community. President Taft spoke and Lawrence Welk performed there. The building is structurally sound, it needs tuck-pointing and windows need replacing. At the time of designation, the City of Correctionville was considering demolition of the structure.

Badgerow Building, Sioux City, Woodbury County

Reason for designation: Designed by local architect K.E. Westerlind, this prominent building was completed in 1933. It is the largest commercial building in Sioux City designed in the Art Deco style. At the time of designation, the property was vacant and "red tagged" by the City of Sioux City as being dangerous and in dilapidated condition. Some of the upper floor windows were open to the elements.

Lincoln Elementary School, Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County

American Legion Memorial Building, Atlantic, Cass County

Woodworth Building, Millville, Clayton County

Adel Bridge, Adel, Dallas County

St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Burlington, Des Moines County

Update: The Heritage Trust For Preservation and Restoration of Historic Burlington, Iowa, is now the proud owner of ""Hibernia Hall."" The former St. Patrick's is now available for receptions, reunions, and meetings. For more on the project, go to www.burlington.lib.ia.us/Heritage%20Trust/Hibernia.htm.

Old German Bank, Dubuque, Dubuque County

Franklin County Courthouse Tower, Hampton, Franklin County

Clinton Machine Company Administration Building, Maquoketa, Jackson County

Reason for designation: The City of Maquoketa began clean-up of the Clinton Engines brownfield site in 2001. Phase 2 of the project, including demolition of the Administration Building, is to begin in 2003.

Update: The Clinton Engines site was acquired by the Jackson County Historical Society in November 2004. They are carefully restoring the building for use as a museum. For more on this project, including information on how you can help, go to www.clintonengines.com.

Fort Des Moines Site (II), Des Moines, Polk County

Update: Portions of the site were during construction of the Science Center of Iowa.

Mormon House, Bentonsport, Van Buren County

East and Middle Schools, Decorah, Winneshiek County

Update: East Side School was demolished in early January 2008.

Churches of Clinton, Clinton, Clinton County

Reason for designation: The Diocese is closing St. Patrick's Church and Rectory, St. Boniface Church, and St. Irenaeous Church.

Draley's Stone Milk House, De Witt, Clinton County

Dexter Community House, Dexter, Dallas County

Reason for designation: The Dexter Community House is an 85-year-old, 100 foot by 85 foot elliptical building that has been used for Chautauqua meetings, revivals, political events and basketball tournaments. The Community House Board is trying to convince city officials to commit resources to restore and maintain the structure.

Stone Barn, Dubuque, Dubuque County

Normal and High School, Woodbine, Harrison County

Reason for designation: Claiming the building was outdated and impossible to bring up to modern educational standards, Woodbine school administrators decided to demolish the National Register-listed Woodbine Normal School. The building is significant for its association with the development of primary and secondary education facilities and development of normal training facilities.

Update: Despite an effort by Woodbine preservationists, the Normal School was demolished.

Ft. Madison Bridge, Ft. Madison, Lee County

Iron Bridge, St. Ansgar, Mitchell County

AIB/Polyclinic Building (In Memoriam), Des Moines, Polk County

Update: Demolished

Livestock National Bank, Sioux City, Woodbury County

Old Stone School, 509 Center Street, Lansing, Allamakee County

Rock Island Depot, Atlantic, Cass County

East Park Bandshell, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County

Clinton Post Office, Clinton, Clinton County

Barhydt Chapel & Henry K. Holsman Historic District, Fairfield, Jefferson County

Bayview Bridge, Ft. Madison, Lee County

Old Lee County Jail, Ft. Madison, Lee County

Unitarian Church, Keokuk, Lee County

Gitchie Manitou State Preserve Shelterhouse, Larchwood, Lyon County

Omaha And Council Bluffs Street Railway Substation, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County

Ruth Suckow Homestead, Hawarden, Poweshiek County

Garland Hotel, Bedford, Taylor County

Wiest Mill, Ft. Atkinson, Winneshiek County

Second Baptist Church, 422 South 18th Street, Centerville, Appanoose County

Walnut Street Baptist Church, 415 Walnut Street, Waterloo, Black Hawk County

Kyte Farmstead, Weldon, Decatur County

McGee School, Manchester, Delaware County

Herriman Mansion, Wadena, Fayette County

Slayton Farms Round Barn, Iowa Falls, Hardin County

Keokuk Middle School, Keokuk, Lee County

Rotridge House, St. Paul, Lee County

CCC Camp, Moorhead, Monona County

Camp Dodge Swimming Pool, Johnston, Polk County

Bentonsport Foot Bridge, Bentonsport, Van Buren County

Castle On The Hill, Sioux City, Woodbury County

Update: Rehabilitated into apartments and space for the non-profit Castle on the Hill Association.

Chicago Milwaukee Railroad Shop And Roundhouse, Sioux City, Woodbury County

Greenfield Library, 215 South 1st Street, Greenfield, Adair County

Knapp Barn, Calhoun County

Reason for designation: Built in 1920, the Dr. Charles Knapp Round Barn in Calhoun County is one of the few remaining true round barns with a dome roof in Iowa. Most round barns have conical or gambrel roofs, so this barn represents the diversity found in the round barn style. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It is threatened with demolition.

Update: In 2003, the Knapp Barn was moved to a new location.

Park Inn Hotel, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County

Update: The Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank are being restored. For additional information, go to www.wrightonthepark.org.

Octagon House, Ionia, Chickasaw County

Nashua Antiques, Nashua, Chickasaw County

St. Boniface, Clinton, Clinton County

Dickinson County Courthouse, Spirit Lake, Dickinson County

Reason for designation: Built in 1891, the Dickinson County Courthouse was designed by Minneapolis architect T.D. Allen. The courthouse was listed on the National Register as part of the State Historical Society of Iowa's statewide courthouse survey in 1981. Over the years, this center of county government, political power, and prestige was sandblasted and painted tan. This may have led to the building's demise; county voters elected to demolish the building rather than rehab it after a very caustic battle was waged in the local newspapers.

Update: The courthouse was demolished in May 2006.

Franklin County Jail, Hampton, Franklin County

Harmon Building, Iowa City, Johnson County

Woodlawn Cemetery Receiving Vault, Des Moines, Polk County

St. Ireanaeus, Clinton, Clinton County

Burlington Public Library, Burlington, Des Moines County

American Tower Building, Dubuque, Dubuque County

Update: Demolished

All Saints Church, 420 North Fremont Street, Stuart, Guthrie County

Reason for designation: Nearly destroyed by arson in 1995, all that remains of All Saints Church are its walls.

Update: The Project Restore Foundation was formed in 1996 and has made great strides toward restoring this church. For more on their project, including information on how you can help, go to www.restoreallsaints.org.

Keokuk Depot, Keokuk, Lee County

Officer's Residence Ft. Des Moines, Des Moines, Polk County

Baker's, Bedford, Taylor County

Wickfield Pavilion, Cantril, Van Buren County

Dixon Site 3WD8, Rural Anthon, Woodbury County

Warrior Hotel, Sioux City, Woodbury County

Klinefelter Livery Stable, Waterloo, Black Hawk County

Reason for designation: Built in 1907 to replace a previous livery destroyed by fire the year before, this was the last stable built in Waterloo before the advent of the automobile. This two-story brick building featured the first multi-level parking ramp for horses in the city. This distinctive Victorian Romanesque building is one of the few, fine liveries remaining in the state. The building has suffered significant moisture damage, and remedial rehabilitation costs have been estimated close to $300,000. Though this amount may sound large, consider the amount new construction of a 20,000 square foot detailed brick building would cost today. The city of Waterloo currently owns the building and is considering demolition. Rehabilitation of a building of this stature should be aggressively sought as a preferred solution.

Update: Demolished

Earl Farm, Lake City, Calhoun County

Reason for designation: This century farm has all of the farm buildings on site representing Iowa's Golden Age of farming. The main house dates to 1879. The property includes a peg barn, smokehouse, ice house, buggy shed, peat bogs, walnut trees, as well as the expected hog sheds and corn cribs. The owners would like to see the farm preserved and are willing to consider donating the farmstead buildings and immediate site.

Park Inn Hotel, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County

Reason for designation: Built between 1909 and 1911, Iowa has the very last Frank Lloyd Wright hotel standing. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972, it continues to deteriorate and is neglected despite the significant national landmark that it is.

Update: The Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank are being restored! For additional information, go to www.wrightonthepark.org.

City Park Shelter, Elkader, Clayton County

Reason for designation: This large, two-story frame building was built at the turn of the century as an Exhibition hall for the Elkader Fair. The building has been neglected and is deteriorating from lack of routine maintenance. The roof needs replacing, which has resulted in additional water damage. This building with its stone fireplace has character and style that many communities would showcase rather than ignore. Plans have been suggested to replace this structure with a pole and steel structure.

Park House Hotel, Iowa City, Johnson County

Reason for designation: This building, last used as apartments in May 1996, was ordered vacated due to code violations and structural problems. This National Register-listed building is one of the few commercial buildings left from the period when Iowa City served as the state's capitol. Built in 1852 as a three-story brick building, it had a fourth floor mansard roof added in 1875. It has a long history of uses in Iowa City including a period from 1862 to 1909 when it served as a female seminary. The out-of-state owner doesn't wish to demolish it, but is overwhelmed by the rehabilitation work required.

Blood Run, Lyon County

Reason for designation: The Blood Run National Historic Landmark is a tribute to the Oneota Culture or "Prairie Sioux" which included the Omaha, Oto, and Ioway tribes, among others. It is believed that 5,000 people lived here, forming what was probably the largest Indian community in the upper Midwest. The core portion of this site (about 640 acres) contains 76 of the original 276 mounds, which are still intact. The threats of community development, agricultural practices, and river erosion continue to put pressure on those trying to save and interpret the site.

Gibbs House, Oskaloosa, Mahaska County

Reason for designation: The lovely brick home, originally known as "The Elms," was built by Ernest H. Gibbs, a prominent citizen of Oskaloosa, in 1903. It is now owned by William Penn College and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991. The Iowa fire marshal's mandates to bring the building up to code prompted the William Penn College Board to recommend demolition. A preservation consultant hired to look at the building estimated $200,000 would bring it back to use in the community.

Rock Island Depot, Oskaloosa, Mahaska County

Reason for designation: This small brick railroad depot, built in 1889, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989. Vacant and dilapidated, it exudes charm and class beneath the sagging portions of what once was a roof.

Update: After this property was selected for Iowa's Most Endangered list, the Oskaloosa Rock Island Depot partners was formed and purchased the building in 1997. They are looking for more community partners and ways to rehabilitate and use the depot.

Decorah East Side School, Decorah, Winneshiek County

Reason for designation: Designed by the Minneapolis architectural firm of Orff and Joralemon, this three-story brick building with its towers and Romanesque arches opened in 1897. That early school board elected to spend extra money to ensure the quality and durability that stands yet today. The current school board is leaning towards demolition, and is in favor of constructing a new building. Many in the community have been pushing for the more economical solution of rehabilitating the building to meet current codes and standards, thus saving an important historical building in their community.

Update: East Side School was demolished in early January 2008.

William L. Steele Churches, Sioux City, Woodbury County

Reason for designation: Three downtown churches, each designed by recognized architect William L. Steele, contribute to the architectural significance of their community and exemplify the threat to declining city churches across the nation. As the population shifts to suburbs, many church buildings are being abandoned, and either new congregations or new uses need to be found for these outstanding examples of architectural style and community heritage.
1. Originally known as Mount Sinai Temple, United Orthodox Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in Iowa. It is also the last remaining Queen Anne-influenced religious building in Sioux City. The growth of the Jewish population in Sioux City following WWI necessitated the Prairie Style addition of classroom space. This 1920 expansion was designed by Steele. In 1956, the new Beth Shalom Synagogue was built, and the United Orthodox Synagogue carried on in the old building. Today, less than ten members support the operation of this beautiful building.
2. The Sioux City Baptist Church was originally built as the First Congregational Church in 1918. The brick building has the long horizontal lines of the Prairie Style, with round arched windows and a large done characteristic of church architecture. The interior details of the church, including extensive woodwork, are little changed from when it was built. It is currently occupied by Sioux City Baptist Church. They are good stewards to this important building, but have contemplated a move to a new neighborhood.
3. St. Casimir Catholic Church was built between 1915 and 1916 to serve the large Lithuanian population of Sioux City. The Catholic diocese of Sioux City has scheduled to close this parish in July 1998 over the objections of its parishioners. The brick form has a traditional forward-facing gable, with the striking feature of a central octagonal tower and onion dome. The stained glass windows were done by renowned Lithuanian artist Adolph Valeska.

Wapsipinicon Mill, 100 1st Street West, Independence, Buchanan County

Taylor Farm, Shell Rock, Butler County

William Joyce House, Clinton, Clinton County

Dunlap Farm, Dunlap, Harrison County

Blue Top Motor Court, Coralville, Johnson County

Update: Demolished

Blood Run, Lyon County

Masonic Temple, Des Moines, Polk County

Update: Des Moines' Downtown Preservation Partners rehabilitated the building in 2002, restoring many architectural features that had deteriorated or been destroyed. Today, the Temple of the Performing Arts serves as a "center of arts, culture, entertainment, music, and learning." For more information, go to to www.templeforperformingarts.com.

Davenport Store, Davenport, Scott County

St. Katherine's Complex, Davenport, Scott County

City Hall, Sioux City, Woodbury County