Woodland Place Historic District

Last updated
Woodland Place Historic District

2701 Woodland Ave.jpg

A house on Woodlawn Avenue within the district.
USA Iowa location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location 25th to 27th St. to Woodland Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa
Coordinates 41°35′24″N93°39′06″W / 41.59000°N 93.65167°W / 41.59000; -93.65167 Coordinates: 41°35′24″N93°39′06″W / 41.59000°N 93.65167°W / 41.59000; -93.65167
Area 33.38 acres (13.51 ha)
Architect Harry Taylor
Henry Pharmer
Architectural style Bungalow
American Craftsman
MPS The Bungalow and Square House--Des Moines Residential Growth and Development MPS
NRHP reference # 00000927 [1]
Added to NRHP November 21, 2000

The Woodland Place Historic District is located on the west side of Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The houses in the district are primarily bungalows and square houses. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000. [1]

Des Moines, Iowa Capital of Iowa

Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small part of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines, which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857. It is on and named after the Des Moines River, which likely was adapted from the French colonial name, Rivière des Moines, meaning "River of the Monks". The city's population was 217,521 as of the 2017 population estimate. The five-county metropolitan area is ranked 89th in terms of population in the United States with 634,725 residents according to the 2016 estimate by the United States Census Bureau.

United States federal republic in North America

The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States or America, is a country composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions. At 3.8 million square miles, the United States is the world's third or fourth largest country by total area and is slightly smaller than the entire continent of Europe's 3.9 million square miles. With a population of over 327 million people, the U.S. is the third most populous country. The capital is Washington, D.C., and the largest city by population is New York. Forty-eight states and the capital's federal district are contiguous in North America between Canada and Mexico. The State of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east and across the Bering Strait from Russia to the west. The State of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U.S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, stretching across nine official time zones. The extremely diverse geography, climate, and wildlife of the United States make it one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries.

Bungalow type of building, originally developed in the Bengal region in South Asia, but now found throughout the world

A bungalow is a type of building, originally developed in the Bengal region of the subcontinent. The meaning of the word bungalow varies internationally. Common features of many bungalows include verandas and being low-rise. In Australia, the California bungalow associated with the United States was popular after the First World War. In North America and the United Kingdom, a bungalow today is a house, normally detached, that may contain a small loft. It is either single-story or has a second story built into a sloping roof, usually with dormer windows.

History

Percival-Porter and Company had Woodland Place platted in June 1907 and Ellen F. Whitman, the landowner, had it officially recorded on July 5, 1907. The plat was composed of six rectangular blocks with 138 numbered lots that measured 50 feet (15 m) by 132 feet (40 m). [2] There was little in the way of development in the plat until 1910 when Des Moines real estate developer Henry H. Pharmer secured 19 lots in 1910 and 1911 in the northwest quarter of the plat. He also had a dozen showcase bungalows built in 1910. Percival and Porter offered 27 newly built houses for sale during the first half of June 1910, although records indicate only ten were built. Some of these houses could have been those built by Pharmer. What makes this situation unique in Des Moines is that the developers were offering completed houses for sale, rather than empty lots. [2] The houses were being offered for $3,500. It required a down payment of $350 and a monthly payment of $35. [2] The houses that Percival-Porter offered were seven room, square houses. Many of the people who bought land and had their own homes built chose to build bungalows. [2] Harry Taylor was responsible for the houses that were built around 1920. He purchased the lots from the United Investment Company and several realtors. These lots were also in the northern part of the plat, right below Pharmers’.

The residents of Woodland Place organized early on in its existence. Mrs. Raymond A. Bullard organized the "Woodland Neighbors" in early 1911. It was a woman’s group who goals were social interaction in order to develop lasting friendships. Around the same time the "Woodland Boosters" were organized to promote "sidewalk, paving, and other improvements and in a general way to enlist the interest of the people of that section in the city beautiful movement." [2] The "Woodland Place Improvement Club" was organized in mid-1912. Its accomplishments included having 27th Street lowered by as much as 12 feet (4 m), as well as ensuring the safety of the residents.

Related Research Articles

Des Moines City Hall

The Des Moines City Hall in Des Moines, Iowa, United States was built in 1909-1910. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 10, 1977 as the Municipal Building, and became a contributing property in the Civic Center Historic District in 1988. The building serves as the seat for the government of the city of Des Moines. Beginning April 7, 2016, City Hall offices were temporarily relocated while the building underwent renovation. The construction was necessary to install modern heating, cooling, and sprinkler systems while preserving the historic character of the building. The project was expected to take 18–24 months. During that time, City Hall was closed to the public, and City offices moved to other nearby locations. Between February 26, 2018 and April 9, 2018, City offices moved back to City Hall.

Goddard Bungalow Court Historic District

The Goddard Bungalow Court Historic District is located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000.

Mahnke House

The Mahnke House is an historical residential building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The house was built by prolific Des Moines builder Fred W. Weitz in 1909 in the Prairie School style. The exterior is covered in Flemish bond brick veneer. It features a hip roof, a single-story west side solarium, a rear porch and a flat-roofed centered front portico with a raised entrance and square paned window lights. George and Emma Mahnke owned the house between 1909 and 1952 when they transferred the property to the Des Moines Annual Conference of the Methodist Church. The house then became the residence of the organization's superintendents. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and it was included as a contributing property in the Ingersoll Place Plat Historic District in 2000.

Ingersoll Place Plat Historic District

The Ingersoll Place Plat Historic District is located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000. The historic significance of the district is based on the concentration of bungalows and square houses as well as a mix of subtypes.

Kingman Place Historic District

The Kingman Place Historic District is located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The historic district contains a well-preserved collection of American Foursquare houses that were built starting in 1902 and continued until 1915. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000. It was part of The Bungalow and Square House--Des Moines Residential Growth and Development MPS.

Middlesex Plat Historic District

The Middlesex Plat Historic District is located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was an upper-middle-class neighborhood of two-story square houses and bungalows that were built from 1910 to 1923. 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 MPS.

The Oaklands Historic District

The Oaklands Historic District is located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was a late 19th-century residential area for upper and upper middle class residents of what was then a suburb of North Des Moines. It was also the first naturalistic suburban subdivision in the Des Moines area. The district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996. It is part of the Towards a Greater Des Moines MPS.

Prospect Park Second Plat Historic District

The Prospect Park Second Plat Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located in the north-central section of Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The residential area contained middle to upper class housing that was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the suburb of North Des Moines. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1998. It is part of the Towards a Greater Des Moines MPS.

Riverview Park Plat Historic District

The Riverview Park Plat Historic District is located in the north-central section of Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1996.

Sherman Hill Historic District historic district in Des Moines, Iowa

The Sherman Hill Historic District is located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is one of the oldest residential suburbs in Des Moines. Single-family houses were constructed beginning around 1880 and multi-family dwellings were built between 1900 and 1920. The district encompasses 80 acres (0.32 km2) and 210 buildings and is bounded by 15th Street, Woodland Avenue, Martin Luther King Parkway and School Street. The historic district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.

Venemans Bungalow Court Historic District

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.

Josiah Andrews House

The Josiah Andrews House is an historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is a 2½-story, rectangular, frame, front gable dwelling. It features Stick Style strips on the gable end, and brackets along the cornice. The property on which it stands is part of one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The University sold the lot to J. and H.L. Andrews in 1896, and they built this house at that time. Its significance is attributed to the effect of the University's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Professor Charles O. Denny House

The Professor Charles O. Denny House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is a 2½-story dwelling that follows an irregular plan. It features a hipped roof with gablets and additional gables, fishscale shingles, bargeboards, reeded panels that form the cornice, and a wraparound porch with a pedimented entry. The property on which it stands is one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The University sold the lot to C.O. Denny in 1892, and he had the house built the following year. Denny was a Latin professor at Drake and lived nearby. He seems to have bought the property for speculative purposes. Its significance is attributed to the effect of the University's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Francis M. Kirkham House

The Francis M. Kirkham House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is a two-story dwelling that follows an irregular plan. It features a hipped roof with gablets, decorative wood shingles in the gable end, bargeboards, reeded panels that form the cornice, a gabled bay placed at an angle, bracketed eaves, and decorative window surrounds. The property on which it stands is a part of one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The University sold the lot to Francis M. Kirkham in 1886, and he had the house built by 1888 and resided in it. Kirkham was a Disciples of Christ minister and editor of the Christian Oracle. He was also one of the first trustees of Drake University. Its significance is attributed to the effect of the University's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Nellie and Thomas Knotts House

The Nellie and Thomas Knotts House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. This two-story dwelling is a gabled-ell type house that features a chamfered front section with gable-end detail, fishscale shingles, and a hipped porch. The property on which it stands is one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The University sold this lot and two others to Adam Howell in 1886. He sold this lot to Harold R. Howell in 1891. Nellie J. and Thomas H. Knotts acquired the property in 1893, and the house was built the following year. Knotts was president of Iowa Printing Company and then became a manager of the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company. He and his wife resided here until at least 1907. Its significance is attributed to the effect of the University's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

F. F. Odenweller-James P. and Nettie Morey House

The F. F. Odenweller-James P. and Nettie Morey House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is a 1½-story frame cottage that follows an irregular plan. It features chamfered corners, Stick Style strips, moulded lintels, beaded corner boards, decorative shinglework, and a small front porch with a shed roof. The property on which it stands is one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The University sold the lot to Delos Cutler, one of the University Land Company organizers, in 1887. The next year he sold the property to F.F. Odenweller. After seven years the property was sold to A.A. Smith and O.E. Bowers. In 1896, the year the house was built, the property was sold to J.P. Morey, and he owned it for twenty-three years. Its significance is attributed to the effect of the University's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

John P. Simmons House

The John P. Simmons House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. This simple 1½-story frame dwelling features a gable front, rectangular plan, and a hipped roof front porch. The property on which it stands is one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The house's significance is attributed to the effect of the University's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. Delos Cutler, one of the organizers of the University Land Company, acquired this lot and the one next to it in 1887. He sold them to F.F. Odenweller the following year. John P. Simmons bought this lot 25 in 1894, the same year the house was built. He either sold or mortgaged it to University Bank in 1900. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Dr. Richard and Paulina Stuart House

The Dr. Richard and Paulina Stuart House is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. This 2½-story frame dwelling follows an irregular plan and features a hipped roof, gablet, and various gables. The property on which it stands is one of ten plats that were owned by Drake University. The house's significance is attributed to the effect of the University's innovative financing techniques upon the settlement of the area around the campus. The property was bought by Mary A. Scott and her husband in 1889 from E.N. Curl, a stockholder in the University Land Company. They sold part of the lot in 1891 to Dr. Richard and Paulina D. Stuart. The house was built by 1895. The Stuarts continued to own the property until 1907. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Greenwood Park Plats Historic District

The Greenwood Park Plats Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. At the time of its nomination the district consisted of 393 resources, including 277 contributing buildings, one contributing site, 109 non-contributing buildings, and six non-contributing structures. Most of this district was originally known as Brown's Park, a private park that was the location of the Iowa State Fair from 1879 to 1885. Founded privately in 1854, the fair was held in several locations in the state making it more of a regional event. It was also not profitable. That changed when the fair moved to this location, and its profitability eventually led to funding from the Iowa General Assembly and a permanent location on the east side of the city. Brown's Park continued for a while longer and the streetcar line from Des Moines opened in 1889.

Polk County Homestead and Trust Company Addition Historic District

The Polk County Homestead and Trust Company Addition Historic District is a nationally recognized historic district located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. At the time of its nomination the district consisted of 86 resources, including 48 contributing buildings, 11 contributing structures, 18 non-contributing buildings, and nine non-contributing structures. The end of the 19th-century saw the rise of the Victorian suburbs around Des Moines. This was a period of economic growth for the metropolitan area. The largest of these suburbs was North Des Moines. It was connected to Des Moines by way of three streetcar lines, whiched added to its attractiveness. Local real estate investors established the Polk County Homestead & Trust Co. to develop the northern portion of North Des Moines in partnership with the Prospect Park Improvement Company.

References