[RITSlist] Des Moines area

[Alan Kline]

GRIMM, TIM wrote:
> I thought I would send this information out and see what kind of info or ideas I received back;

> 
> 2. I went down town Des Moines on Sunday since it was a sunny and beautiful day to take a look at the restored railroad bridge the Principal Insurance paid for. Now if I remember and understand correct...I'm thinking that bridge was the old Des Moines Union (DMU) bridge? (Sits just west of the RI bridge over the Des Moines River). Am I thinking correct?

Yes, that was the DMU bridge.

> And secondly, about a 1/2 mile east of that bridge on the west side of the track looks to be an old depot? Now I was wondering if that would have been DMU's depot or just what the story is with that building? It looks to be a neat old building, but alot of the mortar is gone between the bricks and it looks as if you pulled one brick out the whole thing would come crashing down. Also a bunch of trees have grown around the building. I was just wondering if anybody knew anything about that building and what time period of use it seen?

I'd have to look at the building you're talking about to get an idea. 
The RI had some kind of facility on the east side of downtown--we've 
discussed it here before, but it doesn't sound like the same thing.

The passenger trains operating over the DMU--Wabash, CB&Q (?) MILW, and 
CGW (before they built their station on SW 9th) was the Des Moines Union 
Station, which was located across the street from the south side of the 
Polk County courthouse. It's a parking lot now, for county employees, 
and I think is where they would build a courthouse annex if voters 
approve a bond referendum next Tuesday.

> Since the building of the Des Moines Science Center I've worried about the fate of the Des Moines RI depot. Especially since the clay tile shingles were removed about 8-10 years ago which then removed it from the National Historical Building List and being in the "historical" status.  Just my observations and seeing what other thought......

I don't think you have to worry too much about the RI depot. It seems to 
be well cared for and well-occupied. Even if the current owners chose to 
leave, with the prospect of Amtrak service to DSM getting better, the 
depot could return to its intended use. What better place for an Amtrak 
station?

A lot of historic building owners choose not to have their buildings 
listed, not because they plan to tear them down, but so that they have 
the freedom to make whatever modifications are needed for their business 
without a lot of red tape.

ak


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