Fort Des Moines Historic Complex, Building No. 138, Des Moines, Polk County, IA

Significance: Built in accordance with the Quartermaster General's standard plan 198, this structure was finished on October 9, 1908, at a cost of $13,710.20. It had brick walls, a gabled slate roof with returned eaves, and a rusticated limestone foundation. The brick was joined in common bond and the mortar was not pigmented with red. The west end of the building fronted on Butner Street, and it measured 126 feet 2 inches long by 36 feet 4 inches wide. Its east end originally contained a door with a small pediment and four double hung windows two at the first level and two at the attic level, each with 6-over-6-lights. The west end contained five double hung windows three at the first level and two at the attic level. On the north side were nine double hung windows and one double door with a 5-light transom, while on the south side an identical configuration existed. All windows and entrances had segmental arches. Windows had plain limestone lug sills and were barred. Two hipped dormers protruded from the south side of the roof, and one protruded from the north side. Each dormer was covered with slate and contained two double hung windows, each of 3-over-3-lights. Atop the roof were two ridge ventilators. The cornice had a molded fascia. The roof had integrated gutters with iron downspouts. A corbeled chimney was also present. At the east end of the building was a single door with stairs leading from the ground, both features evidently added a later date.
Survey number: HABS IA-121-CC
Building/structure dates: 1908 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 74000805