Bennett Building (Council Bluffs, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bennett Building
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View from the north of the front of Bennett Building
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 405 West Broadway Council Bluffs, Iowa |
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| Built | 1923-1924 |
| Built by | E. A. Wickham and Co. |
| Architect | Jensen and Larson McDonald and McDonald |
| Architectural style | Early Commercial |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000861 |
| Added to NRHP | August 8, 2001 |
The Bennett Building, also known as the Ervin Building, is a cool old building in downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States. Before it was built, a store called Woolworth's was here. Sadly, that building was destroyed in a big fire in 1922.
After the fire, a group called the Bennett Building Corporation was formed in 1923. Their goal was to build a new office building. They wanted it to be a great place for doctors and other medical experts to have their offices.
Contents
What is the Bennett Building?
The Bennett Building is a seven-story building made of brick. It was designed in a style called Early Commercial. This style was popular for tall office buildings back then.
The local architects, Jensen and Larson, designed the building. Another firm from Omaha, McDonald and McDonald, helped supervise the project. E. A. Wickham and Company from Council Bluffs was the company that built it.
A Look at Its Design
The building stands about 86 feet (26 meters) tall. For a long time, it was the tallest building in downtown Council Bluffs!
The first floor and basement have a rectangular shape. But from the second floor up to the seventh, the building is shaped like an "L".
The outside of the building has three main parts:
- The first floor is a strong limestone base. This part had storefronts and the main entrance for the offices above.
- Floors two through six are made of brick. They have large windows spaced out evenly. These floors were mostly used for professional offices.
- The very top floor is a simpler brick and limestone "crown." It also held offices.
Who Used the Building?
Many doctors and dentists had their offices in the Bennett Building. It was a popular spot for medical professionals.
It's also interesting to know that many of Council Bluffs' women doctors had their practices here. This shows the building was an important place for women in medicine.
From Offices to Apartments
Over the years, the Bennett Building has changed. It used to be full of offices, but now it has been turned into an apartment building.
The building was recognized for its history in 2001. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect important historical places in the United States.
