202 Fourth Street

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Evaluation:

This is the northernmost of two non-contributing buildings within the historic district. While later in date (1955), off of Fifth Street and differing in its historical function (lumber yard), it represents how the downtown met a full range of commercial services. It was included in the district given its potential to be made contributing and to create a unified and contiguous district. The buildings were deemed non-contributing due to the vertical paneling/siding cladding and the probable faux cornice treatment. Otherwise the buildings likely retain a close to original fenestration pattern and the once open lumber storage shed retains the balcony effect that was present in some form when it was a lumber yard. A third lumber yard building, excluded from the district, could be considered for being added, depending upon its age and original appearance. The good news for this property is that the two buildings are already in the district and it is their contributing evaluation that needs to be amended.

District Characteristic	Yes	No	Findings/Recommendations
Two-story brick with narrow mass		X
Larger, broader massing		X
Other key façade features		X
Architectural style		X
Prominent location		X
Original façade materials		X	The vertical cladding is the basic alteration that greatly alters the buildings appearance.
Upper fenestration pattern		X	Recommend considering how to replicate the original lumber storage bins in the exterior walls. Some shadowed coloration, fenestration (fuller glassed fronts) would at least aesthetically indicate the historical appearance.
Sympathetic Storefront Infill		X
Brick corbelled parapet		X
Cornice/coping (not metal)		X

Physical Description:

Two-story former south corner office building and open-sided lumber shed immediately to the north.

Documented Alterations:

Converted into apartments recently, originally open lumber storage areas infilled. Historical photos are critical to resolve the buildings historical appearance.

Commercial History:

H. A. Bechtel struggled in early 1909 with the Town Council to establish an "independent" lumber yard that could compete with Des Moines yards-an ordinance barred such a fire hazard within 200 feet of residences. He prevailed, built a range of buildings and began to produce concrete block as well.

Business	Owner	Start	Stop	Notes of Interest

Lloyd’s Valley Junction [Jazz] Wine & Cigar Lounge-Shoppe	Lloyd Stevens	2006	2008	Register, February 5, 2008
Valley Jct. Wine & Tobacco Shop	Same	2005	2006	New name-Register August 16, 2005
Small Dolls Co.	Lynne Johnson-Brown	1997	2000	Suite D
Sew Pretty	Susan Stroud	1997		Suite E
West Des Moines Centennial		1993	1993	Suite E
Monarch Foundations		1989	2000	Suite C-no bums or wimps need apply!
Iowa School of Bartending		1989	2000	Suite A
Midwest Janitorial Service		1987	2005	Suite B
Five suites, A-E
	Iltis Lumber	1955	1983	Iltis Lumber fire of September 8, 1955
Lumber yard	H. A. Bechtel	1909		Express, March 11, 18, April 1, May 13, June 10, 17, 1909, September 8, 1955