Fort Des Moines Historic Complex, Building Nos. 63-64, Des Moines, Polk County, IA

Significance: This structure stands to the west of the preceding building, along Gruber Street and fronting the south side of the Fort Des Moines parade ground. Built according to the Quartermaster General's Plan 75G, this 200-man facility was finished February 8, 1905, costing $54,640.45. It had red brick walls joined in running bond by a red-pigmented mortar, a rusticated limestone foundation, and a slate roof. The structure consists of a main building with dimensions of 71 feet 8 inches by 39 feet 4 inches. The ends of the main building adjoin the wings, each measuring 39 feet 4 inches by 103 feet 4 inches. Along the front of the main building and the front of the wings there once stood a two-tiered roofed porch supported by turned wood columns. Metal railings connected the columns. At each level on the front of the main building doorways were located close to the adjacent wings. The double doors were paneled and had transoms. At either end of the front of the main building, steps with railings led from the grade to the first level of the porch.
Survey number: HABS IA-121-J
Building/structure dates: 1905 Initial Construction
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 74000805