Talk:Youngerman Block

confirmed but
It's confirmed that this building is 206-208 4th (see other photo in the category), but it doesn't seem to match with the external photo from Drake Library. Smallbones( smalltalk ) 02:51, 11 October 2012 (UTC)


 * This image from the Des Moines City Directory shows a different building. I'll check on Google Street View tomorrow and see whether the image is of an adjoining building.   Acroterion   (talk)   03:12, 11 October 2012 (UTC)


 * Downtown Pantry, in the photo, can be confirmed to be located at 208 4th St., e.g. this link. I think the WLM photo is correctly of the building having 208 4th St.  I suppose the NRIS address could be wrong, however. -- do  ncr  am  05:14, 11 October 2012 (UTC)


 * But 1896 quote "In 1890 he erected and still owns the Youngerman Block, a handsome brick block, eight stories in height, 132 feet front on Fifth street and 66 feet on Mulberry street. It contains about 140 business offices." seems to contradict this. Note 8 stories vs. 3 storeies.  Perhaps the correct address is on fifth not 4th St.?  The hotel building next door on 4th St. could be it, has about the right height, could have been on Mulberry Street if you look at a map Mulberry could have come through from 5th to 4th.  Google street view shows no good candidate at what is now 5th & Mulberry. -- do  ncr  am  10:02, 11 October 2012 (UTC)


 * The Hotel Randolph next door has its own article: it's eight stories high. Argh. There's nothing at 5th and Mulberry but parking garages and a grim Blue Cross/Blue Shield office building.  Acroterion   (talk)   12:02, 11 October 2012 (UTC)


 * Aha: the NRHP nom for the Randolph Hotel mentions the three-story Youngerman Block next door to the north.  Acroterion   (talk)   12:13, 11 October 2012 (UTC)

NRHP nom
I've obtained the NRHP nomination (and a nice note) from the Iowa SHPO: it conclusively supports the photograph. The eight-story building is a red herring. The upper levels are made of something called "asbestine." I'll expand the article using the NRHP data: the building is due for a renovation supported by historic tax credits.  Acroterion   (talk)   17:12, 11 October 2012 (UTC)