Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House

The Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House is a historic building located in West Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Valley Junction was incorporated in 1893, and it was named for the junction of three lines of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad where it was located. This two-story brick building was constructed to house the community's city hall and fire station, even though the fire department would not be established until 1905.[2] The fire station was located on the first floor, and the city hall was located on the second floor. It was located a block north of the train depot. An interurban railway connected the town to Des Moines, and its proximity to the Iowa coal fields contributed to its growth. By 1911 the town grew to be the second largest community in Polk County, and its name was changed to West Des Moines by 1940.[2] The building was used for city hall until 1952. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[1] It was included as a contributing property in the Valley Junction Commercial Historic District in 2017.[3]

Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Location	137 5th St., West Des Moines, Iowa
Coordinates	41°34′15″N 93°42′31.3″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1901
Part of	Valley Junction Commercial Historic District (ID100001739)
NRHP reference No.	83000400[1]
Added to NRHP	February 17, 1983

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. James E. Jacobsen. "Valley Junction-West Des Moines City Hall and Engine House". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-10-10. with photo(s)
3. James E. Jacobsen. "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form: Valley Junction Commercial Historic District" (PDF). Valley Junction. Retrieved 2018-07-09.