Fort Des Moines Historic Complex, Des Moines, Polk County, IA

Significance: Fort Des Moines is significant as the site of the army training camp for black officers during World War I, the first extensive attempt to education black officer candidates for the rigors of combat leadership. During and after World War I, the post attained recognition in medical circles for innovations in the field of orthopedics research. The fort is further significant as the home of the First WAAC Training Center during World War II, where more than 72,000 women completed training to assist the military mission, thereby fostering a greater role for women in the nation's military establishment.
Survey number: HABS IA-121
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 74000805