Historic West Des Moines is a community many love and call home. Filled with an array of new and multi-generational residents, eclectic shops and restaurants, local entrepreneurs, community and neighborhood organizations, and stakeholders, the community is rich in history, character, and opportunity. To protect the contributing historic resources in Historic West Des Moines, Design Guidelines were established through an informed and robust engagement and outreach process.

The main core of the commercial business district is designated as a National Historic District.  Currently, there are 53 properties that qualify as “contributing historic properties” in the Valley Junction Commercial Historic District. However, this is not a static list; designation can be amended to add contributing properties via successful nomination.  To more fully develop the rich history of the area, the City needs your help. Below is a comprehensive list of Historic Valley Junction commercial properties as identified in Valley Junction Commercial Historic District: 2022 Jacobsen Survey Update + Findings. The City encourages you to review the information and share any additional stories and photos that you might have for any of the addresses listed by emailing them to contact@gowestdesmoines.com.

EXPLORE THE INTERACTIVE HISTORY MAP

Green is used for properties that contribute to the historic designation. Red is used when the property does not meet the National Register of Historic Places criteria. Within the map you can click or select the building you want to learn more about. Then use the hyperlink to go to the webpage for that specific property . 

• For best user experience, view the map on a desktop or tablet.
• To view the district layers and legend, click the white square with an arrow in it located on the left side of the map header. Layers will then appear which you can toggle on and off.

201 Fourth Street

202 Fourth Street

300 Fourth Street

100-102 Fifth Street

104 Fifth Street

106 Fifth Street

110 Fifth Street

111-113 Fifth Street

112 Fifth Street

114 Fifth Street

115-117 Fifth Street

116 Fifth Street

118 Fifth Street

120 Fifth Street

122 Fifth Street

123-125 Fifth Street

124 Fifth Street

127 Fifth Street

128 Fifth Street

130 Fifth Street

132-134 Fifth Street

131-133-135 Fifth Street

136 Fifth Street

137 Fifth Street

138 Fifth Street

143-145 Fifth Street

200 Fifth Street

201 Fifth Street

202 Fifth Street

203 Fifth Street, 417- 419 Maple Street

204 Fifth Street

205 Fifth Street

206 Fifth Street

207 Fifth Street

208 Fifth Street

209 Fifth Street

210 Fifth Street

211 Fifth Street

213-215 Fifth Street

214 Fifth Street

216-218 Fifth Street

217 Fifth Street

219 Fifth Street

220-222 Fifth Street

221 Fifth Street

224-226 Fifth Street

225 (formerly 223) Fifth Street

227 (built as 225 Fifth) Fifth Street

228 Fifth Street

230 Fifth Street

232 Fifth Street

234 Fifth Street

233-235 Fifth Street

304 Fifth Street

308 Fifth Street

312 Fifth Street

318 Fifth Street

501-505-507 Elm Street

509-511-513 Elm Street

400-402 Maple Street

403-405 Maple Street

408 Maple Street

409 Maple Street

411-413 Maple Street

513-519-521 Maple Street

415 Railroad Place