Download City Hall History - City of Des Moines

A Brief History on the Des Moines Municipal Building
400 Robert Ray Drive
Information provided by Pat Meiners (Des Moines Historical Society),
Andrea Hauer and Mary Neiderbach (City of Des Moines).
The cornerstone for the Des Moines Municipal Building, known as the Des Moines City Hall
by most people, was laid at 2 P.M. on June 14, 1910 at the northeast corner of the new
structure. (The NE corner is by the intersection of East Grand Ave. and Robert Ray Drive,
formerly known as East First Street).
In 2010, the City of Des Moines celebrated the 100th anniversary of the installation of the
cornerstone of its new Municipal Building. From its new name to its very design, this
The building construction, by Charles Weitz’ Sons Construction Company of Des Moines,
building was more than just a building in 1910; it represented a new way to govern the city.
was completed and opened to the public on January 1, 1912. A century later, the building still
In 2010, this building continues to be the center of government for Des Moines with many
functions as the city hall for Des Moines with few physical changes in its appearance but
new and different functions than were imagined in 1910.
many functional differences.
The Des Moines Municipal Building reflects the enthusiasm of the time and the confidence in
Des Moines’ future. In 1910, there were many plans to improve the city and increase the
reach of the factories and businesses as well as projects – such as the city park system – to
improve the quality of life.
Today, there are also a number of plans and projects that will result in a working city with a
strong future. These efforts include the Principal Riverwalk to be completed in 2011, the
Southeast Roadway Connector Project linking Fleur Drive to SE 14th Street, as well as
numerous older residential and commercial neighborhoods undergoing revitalization.
While some of the plans of one hundred years ago never became a reality, they provided the
impetus for many of today’s projects; we know these previous efforts have led to the attitudes
of today and that we share the goals of continuing to work toward a bright future and
continued growth for Des Moines.
Riverfront side of the Municipal Building; Brenton Skating Rink in the background
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City Hall History – 1851 to May 1909
From 1851 -1870, the Des Moines City Council met at various locations throughout the city
including churches, schools, private homes and stores. The Council varied in size from 5 to
12 members and each member served for a one year term.
In 1869, the Council approved construction of a two room log building for the fire department
and City business. Part of the decision was motivated by the population increase: in 1850,
when the town was granted its city charter, there were slightly over 1,500 citizens. By 1870,
over 12,000 people resided in Des Moines.
First City Hall:
The first City Hall, built in 1870, was a log building located at the corner of Second and
Walnut Streets on the west bank of the Des Moines River. It was necessary to pay a toll to
cross the Raccoon or Des Moines Rivers to get to this city hall; west side citizens didn’t have
Des Moines City Hall from Locust Street, circa 1883
to pay the toll. The building was staffed on a 24 hour daily basis by the fire department which
was also housed in the structure.
Second City Hall:
With a growing population now reaching over 22,000, the city council decided in 1880 to
construct a new brick building strictly for city hall business and to relocate the fire and police
departments to a new structure directly next to the City Hall that faced Grand Avenue.
This second city hall was erected in 1882 at the southeast corner of Locust Street and 2nd
Avenue, now the site of the Civic Center Apartments.
Fire station on corner of Grand and Second Avenues with
City Hall fronting Locust Street in background (picture from 1895)
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The City Hall structure was impressive looking from the outside. Inside, it was warren of
New City Hall
many small, private rooms. Each council member conducted business in his own room.
This newly elected Council made the decision to proceed with a new city building. The
By 1905, the building had clearly not been maintained. Councilman Wesley Ash, then the
current building was wholly inadequate to serve current needs and was falling apart.
superintendent of parks, attempted to improve the building’s appearance by putting potted
The council then hired a Des Moines architectural firm, Proudfoot and Bird, to draw plans for
plants and flowers around the roof-level balustrade. It was called the “Des Moines Roof
a new city hall to serve the fast-growing city. The 1910 population was over 86,000, a
Garden” and tried to cover up the rusted metal roof.
quadrupling of the population since 1882 when the old city hall was built. People were
With the opening of the new city hall building in 1912, this former city hall was demolished
in June 1912 and replaced with a structure known as the City Market that operated as a
municipally-owned co-operative farmer's market until its demolition in 1949. The Civic
Center Apartments were then built on the site in 1980.
Getting to the new city hall
Des Moines Plan: Attorney James G. Berryhill is called the ‘father’ of the Des Moines Plan
which the city adopted in 1907. Under the organizational plan, four council members are
elected at large and each served as the “commissioner” supervising a city department:
Public Safety, Streets and Public Improvements, Accounts and Finances, or Parks and Public
Property. The Mayor, elected on an at-large basis, was Superintendent of the Department of
Public Affairs.
The organizational plan was based upon the “Galveston Plan” of 1901. Its progressive ideas
of honesty and efficiency in government which welcomed the input of citizens and eliminated
cronyism and favors to friends were in concert with newly-elected President Theodore
Roosevelt’s agenda. Des Moines was one of the first cities to adopt the plan. Perhaps
surprisingly, after the plan was adopted, the former ‘corrupt’ mayor and council were reelected in the first election held under the new plan.
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prophesying about Des Moines having more than 200,000 people in 1940.
Des Moines had also physically grown to almost 65 square miles in size with its annexation
of the towns of Sevastapol, Grant Park, Highland Park, North Des Moines, Greenwood Park
and University Place as well as large unincorporated areas on the east and west sides.
Location
The land upon which the Municipal Building is built has always been an important site in
Des Moines. By 1850, four years after Iowa became a state, a grist mill for superfine flour and
a saw mill, were built on the site. The mill was sold to investors from Chicago in 1854 and
burned in 1875. Another building, later owned by Gilcrest Lumber Company, was built on
the site.
In 1906, this privately-owned piece of ground on the east bank of the Des Moines River
between Grand Avenue and Locust Street was identified as the site for the new city hall by
the East Side Municipal Club which served as a sort of business and public issues
organization for the east side area.
As seen in the photo below, the site was bordered by significant trash piles and billboards
along the riverbank.
The construction of a new Locust Street bridge was planned with its opening scheduled in
1909. City Hall would now have toll-free access for its east and south-side residents.
East bank of Des Moines River, c. 1908, showing the area surrounding the new city hall location.
However, Des Moines was working to improve the area with several major public works
projects. Adjoining streets had recently been raised 3-4 feet to lessen the impacts of annual
flooding.
This picture, from mid 1909, shows the new Locust St. Bridge, still under
construction, spanning the Des Moines River.
While this location may not have considered the most promising site for a new city hall, it
was available because the west bank was fully occupied. The East Side Municipal Club
optioned the Gilcrest lumber yard site on the east bank of the Des Moines River in early 1907
for $78,000 with the expectation the City would purchase the site in several months. A bond
referendum was to be issued to pay for the land and construction of the new municipal hall
and funds would be available once it was approved.
Later in 1907, City Council selected the Des Moines firm of Proudfoot and Bird to design the
new City Hall. The architects were directed to create a new type of city hall that typified an
open and honest city government. In addition to that daunting task, it was also to be
This 1909 picture of East Locust Street adjacent to the new city hall
shows the extent of the street elevation changes.
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functional so people could easily be served and provide enough room for future growth
while being a ‘stately’ structure.
The architects were directed to create a new city hall large enough that all city offices, other
A number of legal challenges to the bond referendums for funding the new building and site
than the Fire Department, could locate there under one roof and have wide, exposed spaces.
followed in 1907 and 1908 including one from 72-year-old Mary J. Coggeshall, a nationally
The proposed building design was to as open as possible so people would be able literally see
known Des Moines suffragist who said (repeatedly) that women should be allowed to vote on
and hear the governmental business of the city being transacted. There were many
the bond referendum.
allegations of political deals done behind closed doors in the current city hall.
The actual bond referendum to pay for land and new structure was held in April 1908.
One person said the new city hall should be like department store where you can be served
However, the polling officials denied ballots to women trying to vote despite an 1894 state
like a customer. Financial transactions were to be transacted in the open to show there was
law that permitted women to vote on issues (but not for candidates). Immediately after the
no corruption; the ‘Grand Hall’ with the ‘Counting Room’ on the second floor of the
bond election, Mrs. Coggeshall sued the city for the right to vote on the bond issue.
Municipal Building was designed with low counters so the citizens could view the public
employees conducting business.
Mary J. Coggeshall
Photo: University of Iowa Library / Iowa Women’s Archives
Arguing the case for Mrs. Coggeshall was Grace Ballentyne, the first female lawyer to argue
before the Iowa Supreme Court. The court held the bond referendum election to be void,
because women, as a class, were barred from voting.
Architect’s rendering of the new spacious and open city hall interior
Another election was held in November 1908 and the bond issue again passed. Newspaper
And finally, to create a new image for Des Moines government, the name of this new building
accounts said that some women voted but no one knew who or how many women voted
was to be the ‘Municipal Building’.
because they were not on the voting registration list.
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The 1909 City Council, which had three new members, wanted a ‘clean slate’ on the selection
of an architect. The selection of the architects provoked heated discussions at numerous
Council meetings in the spring and early summer.
In July 1909, the mayor suggested a compromise to the Council members which provided that
each Councilman select an architectural firm to work on the project. The firms selected for the
project were to be known as the “Associated Architects.” These firms, all located in Des
Moines, were: Liebbe, Nourse and Rasmussen, Hallett & Rawson, Wetherell & Gage, and
Proudfoot & Bird.
The building is being constructed on a plan unique for municipal buildings: It is to
be the first building ever constructed under the commission form of government
and will be a model for every municipality in the entire world.
Here the work of the entire city will be carried on by the five departments heads
entirely in the open. It will be one great room like a bank with screens and lattices
to separate the different offices. It will be arranged to suit the convenience of the
general public. There will be no private offices except for the mayor and four
commissioners. These rooms will be directly off the council chamber itself, with
screened passageways lending to their respective departments.
At one end of the great room will be the clerical working force of five separate
departments, including the auditor, treasurer, chief clerks of the respective
department and chief engineer. At the other end of the room will be the council
chamber opened to the general public and in no way cut off from public view at
any time.
Off from the council chamber, the commissioners and mayor will have a private
office where temporary work can be carried on before and after council meetings.
Construction and Design
Building Exterior
The East Side Municipal Club had strenuously campaigned for a limestone exterior for the
The inscription crediting the “Associated Architects” in the west entry foyer of city hall.
A newspaper article of the time (Des Moines Daily News on July 21, 1909; page 1)
delightfully titled “Alas, City Hall Loafers” sums up what was expected in the new building.
new building. Club members argued recent structures on the west riverbank – the new
Public Library, opened in 1903 and the new Post Office (now the Polk County Administrative
Building) which opened in 1911 had limestone exteriors,
The City Council preferred brick for the new municipal building feeling it was appropriate
looking. However, the East City Municipal Club pointed out that this new ‘civic center
ALAS, CITY HALL LOAFERS
No Place for Hangers-On in this Model City Hall
When the new city hall building is completed, the ward heeler and peanut
politician hanger-on will be a thing of the past. There will be no room for him if
the ideas of the associated architects are carried out by council at the meeting
tomorrow morning.
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district’ along the river banks should have a consistent appearance and any new civic
building on the east bank should match the appearance and grandeur of the west river-side
buildings. The City Council voted in May 1908 to use limestone for the exterior of the new
city hall.
Building Interior
It appears the architectural plans drawn by the Proudfoot and Bird firm under a previous
Uses on each floor
contract with the City in 1908 provided a majority of the design for the building that were
Basement:
• Testing Department – north rooms
then used by the Associated Architects selected by the City Council in late July 1909.
The City Council formally approved the City Engineer’s specifications for bids, based on the
Associated Architects plans, on October 26, 1909 for the new building which was to be 77 feet
wide by 231 feet long. Specifications that were to be met by contractors bidding on the
project were:
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Building and Floor Heights
- Basement: 11 ft. except in the boiler room where it is 17 ft.
- The ground floor non-boiler portions are to be 7’8” below grade level.
- First floor 14’6”
- Second floor (“Great Hall”) 15’6”on the sides and 36 ft. in the center area
- Third stories 14’6”
Main walls are brick with cement mortar faced on the exterior with granite
that extends about 4 ft. high; above the granite is the “best” Bedford stone.
Interior partitions are porous hollow tile block.
Foundations are concrete built on concrete piles driven into the ground
Floors are to be reinforced concrete and tile.
Columns and girders are steel covered and fireproofed with concrete.
Roof construction is steel with reinforced concrete roof slabs covered with red
flat tile laid in cement. All sheet metal work is in copper.
Finished floors are to be marble for vestibules, entrances, public halls and the
Council Chambers. In offices work rooms and spaces, the floors are polished
cement stained in color.
Polished yellow-grey Tennessee marble is to be installed for wainscoting in
the public halls, the Main Room and entrances.
Interior woodwork is to be quartered white oak, stained, varnished and
rubbed dull.
The walls are to be fine, even-grained finish plaster, painted with watersoluble color paint.
All glass to be plate glass except in office doors which should use ground
plate glass.
• Exercise Room for Police – south rooms with public and private stairs to the police
department directly above.
• Central part of basement is for boiler room fans and engine of the ventilating and
heating apparatus (It was noted the boiler and fuel could be better placed in another
building which would then provide much more additional room in the basement.)
First Floor
• Engineering Department: North half (67’ x 93’) divided into Draughting (drafting) Room and
Offices
• Dept. of Public Safety and Health Department: South half (67 ft. x 93 ft. ) divided into a
dormitory, Bertillon Room (a room for fingerprinting, mug shots, etc.), three rooms for the Board
of Public Health and five offices for the Police and Detective Officers.
• Main Entrance Vestibule and main stairway in central part of the first floor.
Second Floor
• Record Room (31 ft. x 45 ft.) on the north
• Council Chamber (31 ft. x 34 ft.) on the south
• Mayor’s suite of three rooms and two committee rooms next to the Council Chamber
• The Main Room (67 ft. wide and 126 ft. long) for the clerk, treasurer, commissioners’ private
offices and the various minor departments.
• A 16 foot wide hall for the public extends through the middle of the Great Hall from end to end
and provides work space on a marble counter on each side for various clerks. The west side
measures 25 ft. wide by 96 ft. long. The east side has two working areas, divided by the
stairway; each working space is 25 ft. wide by 30’ ft. long.
Third Floor
 North end, a work space of 31 ft. x 36 ft. is divided into four rooms for the civil service
department.
 South end, a law library measuring 31 ft. x 34 ft. and four offices for the legal
department.
On December 1, 1909, the City Council opened bids for the new municipal building contract.
Bids were received for two options; Kasota limestone and Tennessee marble for various
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December 31, 1909 meeting.
interior components.
Contractor
Charles Weitz’ Sons…….. Des Moines………
Benson & Marxer …….Des Moines………
J. P. Cullen Co. ……..Kenosha, WI………
C. L. Gray Co. …….St. Louis , MI …………
English Bros. …….... Chatanooga, TN
W. W. Allen Son & Co. ……Peoria, IL……
J. L. Simmons . …………Chicago, IL………
J. C. Mardis & Co…..…….Des Moines………
William Grace Co….. …..Chicago, IL………
Paul Riesen &• Sons……….Des Moines……
Gen. Construction Co…..Milwaukee, WI…
James Rawson &. Co…..Newton, IA ….…
Hanson Brothers ……..… Chicago…………
William Hamilton …..Des Moines….…
Tennessee
Marble
$301,960
$303,000
$306,300
$307,900
$313,500
$314,250
$316,800
$319,000
$321,650
$322,000
$333,400
$347,521
$357,179
$374,094
Kasota
Limestone
$304,960
$304,000
$308,000
$314,900
$317,000
$314,850
$317,950
$319,000
$322,000
$325,000
$336,400
$348,220
$358,254
$374,094
Des Moines Daily News
December 1, 1909; Page 1
The inscription, located in the west entry foyer of city hall, in the Tennessee Marble stone,
crediting “Charles Weitz’ Sons” as the general contractor
Interestingly, there were several stories and pictures in the newspapers on December 7th and
8th showing the company beginning work on the site in an early season snowstorm.
Immediately, the Council delegated the task to the architects to choose the stone. In
addition to the issue of stone color and long-term quality, the selection of the stone would
then determine which company would be selected as the contractor. The architects were
divided with some favoring the Kasota limestone’s golden/slightly pink color (used on the
new library’s exterior). The Kasota limestone was softer and more prone to surface
abrasion than the ochre/grayish colored Tennessee marble.
The architects spent 3 hours discussing which to choose and finally selected the Tennessee
marble as the desired interior material. Tennessee marble is used throughout the building,
especially in the first floor entrance foyers.
The Des Moines News December 8, 1909; Page 6
The Council formally indicated its intent to sign the contract with the Weitz firm at its
meeting on December 24, 1909 and authorized the mayor to sign the contract at its
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Coming soon
< Next Chapter : The Cornerstone Ceremony>
If you have comments, questions or have something you would like to add to this
information, please contact:
The City of Des Moines Action Center 283-4500 or [email protected]
Postcard of riverfront side of new Des Moines Municipal Building around 1914
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