HomeMy WebLinkAbout52-02827_BPOE_325 E WashingtonSite Inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-02827 New Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
(December 1, 1999) Relationship: Contributing Noncontributing
Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) Listed De-listed NHL DOE
9-Digit SHPO Review & Compliance Number
Non-Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall
other names/site number B.P.O.E. Hall; Elks Club House
2. Location
street & number 325 E. Washington Street
city or town Iowa City vicinity, county Johnson
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Original Town Block(s) 62 Lot(s) see full legal
3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section]
4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section]
5. Classification
Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property
building(s) If Non-Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of:
district Enter number of: Contributing Noncontributing
site
buildings 1
buildings
structure
sites
sites
object
structures
structures
objects
objects
Total 1
Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter “N/A” if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
Iowa City Central Business District Study - 2017 UPDATE 52-127
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
03A04 SOCIAL/meeting hall/fraternal organization 02E COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store
02A01 COMMERCE/TRADE/business/office building 02A01 COMMERCE/TRADE/business/office building
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
06C LATE 19th & EARLY 20th CENTURY REVIVALS/ foundation 10A CONCRETE/block
Classical Revival walls 03 BRICK
roof 08A ASPHALT/shingle
other Narrative Description ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark “x” representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
Yes No More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events.
Yes No More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
Yes No More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
Yes No More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
County Johnson Address 325 E. Washington Street Site Number 52-02827
City Iowa City District Number
Criteria Considerations
A Owned by a religious institution or used E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. F A commemorative property.
B Removed from its original location. G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
D A cemetery
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates
Construction date
29 SOCIAL HISTORY 1909 check if circa or estimated date
Other dates
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
Carpenter, O.H. Builder
Hotz, J.J.
Narrative Statement of Significance ( SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References (OPTIONAL)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
1
2
3
4
See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Alexa McDowell/Architectural Historian
organization AKAY Consulting date 02/2018
street & number 4252 Oakland Avenue telephone 515-491-5432
city or town Minneapolis state MN zip code 55407
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property’s location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet #
Frame/slot #
Date Taken
See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries.
Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or non-contributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frame/truss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor plan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn’s exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility: Yes No More Research Recommended
This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): Date:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
7. Property Description
This freestanding 2½-story brick fraternal hall was built in 1909 on a vacant parcel. The building was used as a
club house from its construction through 1967. Conversion of the lower level to restaurant use was completed in
1969 along with a portion of the upper levels to offices. During the late 1980s a more complete rehabilitation was
undertaken with offices continuing in the upper level and a restaurant in the lower level. The building is set back
from the intersection of Washington and Gilbert streets and the alley that runs along its rear (Svendsen, 2001).
The B.P.O.E Hall is an example of the adaptation of the Classical Revival or Colonial Revival style to a fraternal
hall. The footprint of the building has evolved over time with the rectangular main block of the building in place
with a 1-story frame porch along the east side by 1912, a new entrance portico added to the existing frame porch
by 1920, a new kitchen and stage addition along the alley in 1929, a new entrance portico added on the north by
1933, and a 2-story masonry addition along the east façade in place of the porch by 1970. The interior space of the
original building had eight rooms with a reception hall on the first floor and the main all on the second floor
(Svendsen, 2001).
The original building had three bays across the front with low-pitched hipped roof (originally clad in slate) and
four gabled attic dormers. The dormers retain Palladian window groups with a semi-circular arched window
flanked by shorter 1/1 double-hung sash. Small pilasters separate the windows and narrow clapboard siding fills
the gable peaks. The building’s cornice has a wide frieze with evenly spaced modillions and a course of dentils.
The walls are clad in reddish brown brick with Bedford stone for trim. The brick walls have a stone beltcourse
separating the first and second floors. The brickwork pattern on the first floor includes multiple courses of brick
separated by single recessed courses giving the impression of horizontal bands. Windows on the first and second
floors have arches composed of single rows of soldier bricks. The center window on the upper level has a jack
arch with a stone keystone and angled stones at the corners. Windows on the first floor include new sash divided
into three vertical lower lights topped by a single horizontal light. On the upper level the center opening has a
wider 1/1 double-hung sash flanked by narrow 1/1 sash. Openings to either side have pairs of 1/1 double-hung
sash. The first floor entrance opening has modified and in 2001 included a plate glass and metal door with a
transom and sidelights. New basement windows of vertical fixed glass front onto a concrete patio along the north
façade (Svendsen, 2001).
A dominating feature on the north façade is the columned entrance portico and open veranda on the first floor.
This section was rehabilitated in the 1980s to include a walkout basement level with a new veranda. The veranda
is constructed with a concrete deck, a series of narrow brick pedestals, and a wide stairs leading to the portico
over the front entrance. The portico has a square and round column to either side of the stairs supporting the plain
frieze of the portico. The roof balustrade has a short section of short turned balusters between rectangular corner
sections. The balustrade of the new veranda has long sections of heavy, turned balusters set between square half-
columns that rest on the brick piers (Svendsen, 2001).
The addition on east side has a concrete foundation with brick walls and a flat roof while the rear addition is clad
in stucco. Windows are randomly spaced to accommodate the interior needs of these spaces. The interior of the
B.P.O.E Hall no longer retains any of the building’s original design elements. The building has a depth of 96’, a
distance across the front of approximately 50’, and a side addition that measures 20’ by 74’ (Svendsen, 2001).
In 2017 the building remains largely as described in 2001, with no significant alterations of the exterior noted.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Image 01. View, looking SW across the intersection of E. Washington and S. Gilbert streets
(Image by AKAY Consulting, April 2018)
Image 02. View of the façade (north), looking south across E. Washington Street
(Image by AKAY Consulting, April 2018)
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 3
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
8. Statement of Significance
This building is a moderately well-preserved example of the Classical Revival style expressed in a fraternal hall
dating from a period of substantial new construction in the downtown prior to World War I. Alterations of the
building’s east façade and north façade prevent it from being individually eligible for the National Register under
Criteria A or C. It is, however, a contributing structure to a potential historic district under Criterion A,
significant in its historic association with the city’s social/fraternal organizations and their impact/role in the life
of the downtown commercial area.
Historical Background
At the time B.P.O.E Hall was being planned, downtown Iowa City was on the eve of a 20-year building boom.
Other major buildings to be completed or underway during the next two decades included the new Carnegie
Library at 220 S. Linn (1904), the new Post Office in 1904 (28 S. Linn), the Paul-Helen Building in 1910 (107-
219 E. Washington), the First National Bank Building in 1911 (202 E. Washington), the Johnson County Savings
Bank Building in 1912 (southeast corner of Clinton and Washington), the Hotel Jefferson in 1913 (131 E.
Washington), and the Englert Theater in 1913 (221 E. Washington). Construction of two other fraternal halls
came after the construction of the Masonic Temple – the Iowa City Masonic Hall in 1913-14 (312 E. College) and
the Knights of Columbus Hall in 1930 (328 E. Washington) (Svendsen, 2001).
Image 03. Historic Image – 1909
(Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen, 10/20/1909: 01.)
Although of a poor quality, this image provides some understanding about the alterations made to the
exterior subsequent to its 1909 construction.
The B.P.O.E Hall appears to have been the first and only building constructed on this property. The Elks lodge
acquired the former P.P. Freeman property next door to the west in 1906 for a cost of $5,000. The Freeman family
home became the club house for the Elks lodge until they acquired the property at 325 E. Washington a short time
later to construct a new building. During their tenure in the old Freeman house, lodge members kept a full-sized
elk on the front porch (Svendsen, 2001). The new club house was designed by architect, C.O. Carpenter and built
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
by contractor J.J. Hotz. After a two years of planning and preparation, the building was completed and dedicated
on November 1, 1909 (2017).
The building was alternately known as the “Elks Home “ and the “Elks Club House,” housing B.P.O.E Chapter
No. 590 from its construction until the fraternal organization moved from this site in 1967. Thereafter, the space
was leased to various tenants and eventually sold to James Powers in ca. 1975. The lower level has housed a
variety of restaurants since 1969 including the Bit of Orleans Restaurant in the late 1970s and the Breadline
Restaurant in the early 1980s. Before conversion to offices, the second floor housed the Mary Leach School of
Dance in the early 1980s (Svendsen, 2001).
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 5
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
9. Major Bibliographic References (2001)
Iowa City city directories.
Property Transfer Records, Johnson County Auditor’s Office.
Tax Assessor’s Records, City of Iowa City Assessor.
Sanborn maps, 1874, 1879, 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933, and 1933 updated to 1970.
Summary Sheet, 325 East Washington Street, Urban Revitalization Act Study Area Survey, 1981.
“Elks Lodge Once Owned Press-Citizen Site.” Iowa City Press-Citizen. September 13, 1980.
2017: References
Iowa City Public Library. Digital Photograph collection. http://history.icpl.org.
Sanborn Company Fire Insurance Map, 1933 rev.1948
State Historical Society of Iowa. Iowa City. Photograph Collection.
Slonneger, Marybeth. Finials: A View of Downtown Iowa City. Iowa City: Hand Press, 2015.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Survey and Evaluation of the Central Business District.” Prepared for the Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission, 2001.
Svendsen, Marlys A. “Benevolent and Fraternal Order of Elks. 52-02808.” Iowa Site Form, 2001.
Newspapers
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Iowa City Elks Talk of Building.” May 02, 1906.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks Favor It Will Build Home.” May 03, 1906.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Local News.” May 24, 1906.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Local News.” June 14, 1906.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks to Build Home Addition.” March 08, 1907.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks Plan New Home.” February 19, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks Owe None Single Dollar.” February 27, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks Foresee $30,000 Home.” March 03, 1908.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 6
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “The Elks to Report.” March 04, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “New Home For Elks.” March 27, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks in Favor of Big Building.” April 09, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks Discuss New Home.” April 10, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks Home in Sight.” July 01, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “New Home Of Elks.” July 22, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks Bought The Lot.” July 24, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “The City.” August 21, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “The Elks’ Building.” September 23, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks’ Building Plans.” October 02, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Hotz To Build For Elks.” October 14, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “The Elks’ Building.” October 16, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks Broke Ground.” October 19, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Work On Elks Building.” October 23, 1908.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Local News.” February 22, 1909.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “The Elks Sell Home.” April 19, 1909.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Roof Is Going On.” April 21, 1909.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Elks Building Almost Roofed.” May 10, 1909.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Have Purchased Lot.” June 11, 1909.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Strike Delays Work.” July 21, 1909.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “The Elks’ New Building.” September 20, 1909.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Dedicate New Home.” October 15, 1909.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Furnish New Home.” October 20, 1909.
Iowa City Press-Citizen. “The Elks’ New Home.” November 01, 1909.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 7
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
11. Additional Documentation
Full Legal Description: Original Town, Block 62, East 20’ of Lot 2, all of Lot 1.
Assessor: 002+1010452001
Latitude/Longitude: 41.659979/-91.530509
Parcel Map:
LINNGILBERTCOLLEGE
WASHINGTON
122
325
320
319104-116
312
±
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 8
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Photograph:
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 9
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 10
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-02827
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 11
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Hall Johnson
Name of Property County
325 E. Washington Street Iowa City
Address City