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Photos by Ryan Moffatt |
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Sherman Hill Gallery Sherman Hill is Des Moines' most prominent historic and urban neighborhood dating back to 1877. Sherman Hill is located just west of downtown Des Moines, in what was once a posh Victorian residential suburb before Des Moines annexed it. The neighborhood features a diverse mix of homes, apartments and businesses that contribute the eclectic and interesting feel found on the streets of Sherman Hill. Today the neighborhood acts as an extension of downtown and is seeing an amazing transformation as century old Victorian homes are rehabilitated into their former glory and new construction is popping up on once vacant lots. The neighborhood boundaries consist of School Street or I-235 on the north, 15th Street on the east, Ingersoll Avenue to the south, and MLK Parkway to the west. For more information, see the Sherman Hill Neighborhood website. Be sure to check out both pages of this gallery! Page 1 Page 2 Click the thumbnail on the left to see a larger image. Use your browser's Back button to return to this page. We welcome you to... |
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Historic District Sign-
Sherman Hill is one of two designated historic district neighborhoods within
the city of Des Moines, making any alterations to properties in the
neighborhood subject to intense review to preserve the architectural and
historic integrity of the neighborhood. April 2005 |
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Historic Streetlights-
In the 1990's, Sherman Hill residents voted
to assess themselves an increased tax levy to fund the placing of these
historic streetlights throughout the neighborhood. Many street corners
have been landscaped and cared for by the nearby residents. |
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Hoyt-Sherman Place Theater-
A wintertime photo of Hoyt-Sherman Place, showing the original brick
mansion, with the theater and gallery addition added to the western exterior
in 1923. Hoyt-Sherman sits on the corner of 15th Street and Woodland
Avenue. February 2005 |
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Hoyt-Sherman Place Theater-
The Hoyt-Sherman Place is a grand mansion that was originally built in 1877.
The building now serves as a museum and opulent performing arts theater and
has recently undergone renovations to bring the art gallery and performing
arts theater up to modern standards. Much more about the history of
Hoyt-Sherman Place can be found on the foundation's
website. June 2004 |
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Hoyt-Sherman Place Theater Sign-
A newer, but detailed sign built in the Hoyt-Sherman Place parking lot
announces upcoming events and information. February 2005 |
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Woodland Avenue Brickstones- The newest major addition to the Sherman Hill 'hood is the Woodland Avenue Brickstones. This row home looking building hold 55 apartments, with each unit being unique on the interior. The signature clocktower has become a bit of a local landmark in the neighborhood. February 2005 |
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Woodland Avenue Brickstones-
The sidewalk view of the Woodland Avenue Brownstones provides a very urban
look that is more common in many cities of the Eastern U.S. February 2005 |
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Woodland Avenue Brickstones Clock Tower-
The detailed clock tower of the new
Woodland Avenue Brickstones was an instant local landmark. February 2005 |
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Woodland Avenue Brickstones- While this development sits on the fringe of Sherman Hill, the relation of the neighborhood and downtown is apparent in this shot. To the left of this photo is Methodist Hospital. February 2005 |
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1530 Woodland Reilly Apartments-
A smaller 7
unit apartment brick apartment building found on Woodland Avenue, that was
originally constructed in 1910. April 2005 |
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1605 Woodland Avenue-
One of the grandest of the Victorian mansions in
Sherman Hill, this home on Woodland Avenue was built by Leopold Sheuerman,
founder of the Capital City Woolen Mills, in 1883. April 2005 |
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1620 Woodland Avenue-Carl's
Place- This neighborhood bar on
Woodland Avenue has been a long-time favorite for locals and Des Moines
residents alike. |
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1700 Woodland Avenue Commercial Building- This is a nice turn of the century Commercial Era building with large bay windows found on the corner of Woodland Avenue and 17th Streets. Today it hold several upper story apartments with ground level retail. April 2005 |
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1700 Woodland Avenue Commercial Building-
A frontal view of
the building shown above. Notice the new streetscape and traffic
calming measures that have been installed along Woodland Avenue throughout
Sherman Hill. April 2005 |
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1711 Woodland Avenue
Carriage House-
A uniquely painted former carriage house once belonged to one of the
majestic homes along Woodland Avenue. Today it looks like it might
hold some kind of residence. April 2005 |
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1802 Woodland Avenue-
This 1880 brick home is one of the older buildings remaining in Sherman Hill
and is tightly packed in between its neighbors. April 2005 |
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1818 Woodland-Meyrock
Apartments-
The dingy, but
historic Meyrock Apartments on Woodland Avenue were built in 1900. April 2005 |
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Woodland Avenue-Hillside Condos-
The Hillside Building was one of many classic brick apartments found in the
neighborhood. Recently this building was remodeled and converted into
luxury condominiums. The Des Moines Symphony Alliance and the Sherman
Hill Neighborhood Organization were responsible for the recent renovation,
and have plans to convert additional buildings in the neighborhood into
modern condominiums held in a historic exterior. February 2005 |
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Metro Market- The Metro Market was opened as in indoor farmer's market and ebay auction house. It has since been announced that the market will convert to an organic/Iowa foods store. In the background is the Terrace Hill Governor's Mansion and the offices, homes, and apartments of the Ingersoll and Grand Avenue districts. April 2005 |
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680 15th Street-
This modified four-square type home on 15th Street/Bridal Row was built in
1908. April 2005 |
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720 15th Street-
A smaller hipped-roof Victorian on 15th Street,
this home was built in 1885. April 2005 |
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718 15th Street-Navarre Apartments-
The historic Navarre Apartments was built in 1908 and contains 12 units.
This apartment sits on the western fringe of Sherman Hill, overlooking
Methodist Hospital. April 2005 |
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618 16th Street-
A couple of two story double row homes are
found on the corner of 16th and Woodland Avenue. These two story brick
double row homes date back to 1902. |
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650 16th Street-Brady
Apartments-
The three story Brady Apartments were built
in 1916 and has 35 living units. |
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16th Street Fixer-Upper-
It has the capacity to be one of the
grandest homes in the neighborhood once again, but for now this huge brick
mansion is in decline. The City has come down hard on the owners to
fix the property after a fire damaged the property, but the repairs may be too costly for
the owners. It is possible this home may be demolished as a last
result. June 2004 |
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677 16th Street-Harrington
Apartments-
This two building complex of apartments was built in 1910 and contains 36
living units. Plenty of smaller bay windows found in this complex. April 2005 |
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730 16th Street-
A very large 1880's era Italianate-styled home on 16th Street. April 2005 |
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731 16th Street-
A couple of newer infill homes along 16th Street fill what was once a void
quite nicely. Due to the strict design guidelines found in this
Historic District, any new construction or remodeling must be held to high
standards that will match the historic surroundings of the neighborhood.
While it is apparent these two homes are now, notice the attention to detail
that has been given to their design to ensure they match the architectural
characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood. April 2005 |
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740 16th Street-
Another new infill home along 16th Street,
again notice the attention to exterior design detail that isn't found in
many newer homes in less historic parts of Des Moines. April 2005 |
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750 16th Street-
A very early example of the Prairie School of Architecture at work on this
brick double home on 16th Street dating back to 1890. April 2005 |
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751 16th Street Apartments-
This is a smaller six-unit brick apartment building found on 16th Street.
It was built in 1913 and seems to feature a type of brick that differs from
the brick used in other similar neighborhood apartment buildings. April 2005 |
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756 16th Street-Wallace House-
This historic Late-Victorian Italianate home
dates back to 1883 and is one of the oldest homes in the area. It was
once home to notable Iowan and US Agriculture Secretary Henry Wallace. April 2005 |
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811 16th Street-Delester Apartments- The Delester Flat Apartments Building on 16th Street was originally constructed in 1915. April 2005 |
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822 16th Street-
An ornate Queen Anne Victorian on 16th
Street that was originally built in 1882. April 2005 |
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842 16th Street Duplex-
The stucco exterior covers the brick on this smaller double home turned
four-plex apartment found along 16th Street.
The building is old, dating back to 1893. April 2005 |
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844 16th Street Duplex-
Another double home next to the one pictured above is more reminiscent of
others found in the neighborhood. This one dates back to 1900. April 2005 |
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1510 Center Street-
Another one of the Queen Anne "painted ladies" on Center Street. This
detailed and ornate home was built in 1883. April 2005 |
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1511 Center Street-
The most graceful and good looking of all the Queen Anne Victorian in
Sherman Hill, this home sits among a collection of other ornate Victorians
on this stretch of Center Street. The home was built in 1883. April 2005 |
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1521 Center Street-Emmaus
House-
A Late-Victorian Stick Frame home on Center
Street features a unique "cantered" bay. The home currently serves as
a spirituality retreat center. April 2005 |
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1623 Center Street-
This Stick-styled home on Center Street is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1884. April 2005 |
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1800 Center Street-
This pleasant looking home on Center Street has the appearance of a modern
home that was built as infill on a vacant lot, but actually dates back to
1882, placing it among the collection of very old single family homes found
in Sherman Hill. April 2005 |
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Decayed Housing- Amongst the restored homes and apartments, a few dogs still remain, such as these large homes that have been converted into apartments. April 2005 |
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716 17th Street-
This is a very nice brick Queen Anne
Italianate home on 17th Street.
The home was built in 1881 and has
been another one of the homes in the neighborhood that have been recently
remodeled. April 2005 |
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739 17th Street-
This 8-plex apartment block along 17th Street
was built in 1921.
April 2005 |
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743 17th Street-
A row of Italianate,
Stick and Late Victorian homes clustered together on 17th Street. April 2005 |
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755 17th Street-
A closer view of a few of the homes shown
above. Notice the ongoing renovation on the middle home, which is
becoming a very common sight in this neighborhood. |
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820 17th Street Apartments-
A standard 7 unit brick apartment building on 17th Street, but it does have
some unique brick detailing with three plus shades of brick on the front
exterior. This apartment was built in 1915. April 2005 |
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850 17th Street-
This photo shows a very well maintained and detailed four square type home
found along 17th Street. The four square was a very common type of
home found throughout the portions of Des Moines built around the turn of
the 20th Century. April 2005 |
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855 17th Street-
Another Commercial Era retail building has been
converted to small offices and workshop space. This building was built
in 1925. April 2005 |
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1503 Pleasant Street-Alegre
Apartments-
The Alegre Apartments represent one of the more unique and prominent looking
apartment buildings found in Sherman Hill. This building on the corner
of Pleasant and 15th Streets was built in 1920. April 2005 |
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1705 Pleasant Street-Colonnade Apartments- The Ionic columns on the front of the Colonnade Apartments hold up the street fronting balconies as well. This detailed brick apartment building was constructed in 1911 and contains 21 units. April 2005 |
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Lexington Apartments-
Another photo
of the local landmark Lexington Apartments, taken during the summertime. June 2004 |
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1721 Pleasant Street-Lexington
Apartments-
Perhaps the most signature looking brick
apartment building in all of Sherman Hill is the 5 story Lexington
Apartments. Built in 1906, this building was one of the first
residential buildings in Des Moines to make use of an elevator. April 2005 |
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1801 Pleasant
Street-Pleasant Apartments-
The Pleasant Apartments on Pleasant Street were
completed in 1913 and contains 7 units. April 2005 |
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1913 Pleasant Street Apartments-
A series of turn of the century brick apartment double homes line the 1900
Block of Pleasant Street. They have been carved up into 4 apartments
each, but represent a vernacular that become increasingly common for brick
apartments throughout the older sections of Des Moines. April 2005 |
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Liberals Live Here-
Make no mistake about what type of political
affiliation this near downtown neighborhood is aligned with. April 2005 |