Floyd Valley Apartments nominated for Historic Register

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) The building housing Floyd Valley Apartments, which was formerly Sacred Heart Hospital, may be named to the National Register of Historic Places. Architect William L. Steele designed the structure which was completed in 1923 as a hospital operated by the Sisters of St. Francis from Dubuque. [Click to enlarge]

Floyd Valley Apartments, housed in what was Sacred Heart Hospital, has been nominated for placement on the Historic Register.

The structure served as a hospital until 1977, when it was converted to apartments.

Lew Weinberg, of Sioux Falls Environmental Access, Inc. in Sioux City, said there are a couple reasons for seeking the designation.

In researching the history of the building, architectural historian Sheriffa M. Jones found the building was designed by William L. Steele, a well-known architect in the Midwest and the U.S.

Steele is well-known for his design of the Woodbury County Courthouse in Sioux City.

"Steele did a number of hospital-related designs, too," Weinberg said.

"The other reason is that the historical designation opens financing sources at the state and federal government level to help in a rehabilitation project," Weinberg explained.

It was about a year ago that Weinberg and Jones began compiling the information needed to nominate the structure for the National Register.

In information for National Register of Historic Places application, Jones notes that, even though the building has been converted to apartments, the brick and stone materials of the Sacred Heart Hospital are entirely intact.

The hospital was operated by the Sisters of Saint Francis from Dubuque, Iowa. They also operated the Sacred Heart Nursing School from 1923 to 1938.

According to the application, "The Sacred Heart Hospital is an excellent example of stripped Classicism designed by William L. Steele. It is reflective of his desire to seek a new style while meeting the expectations for the Catholic church. The elements that show Steele's workmanship is the simple use of brick and stone belt courses with minimal details in the stone pillars at the front entrance as well as the original light fixtures and front door."

The application further states, "the landscape surrounding the Sacred Heart Hospital remains virtually intact and appears much as it did during the significant period . . . Additionally the circular drive on the west side continues to offer the same approach to the building as it did when first constructed."

The cornerstone reads "Sacred Heart Hospital 1921" and is near the front entrance of the building.

The five-story building opened as Sacred Heart Hospital in 1923 and was constructed at a cost of about $350,000, which included the equipment and fire-proof construction.

Sacred Heart Hospital was turned over to the City of Le Mars in 1966 and was renamed Floyd Valley Hospital.

In 1977, the building became Floyd Valley Apartments under the ownership of Sioux Falls Environmental Access, Inc. At that time, the facility was renovated from a hospital to a multi-unit dwelling for seniors. There are 59 senior living apartments in the building.

In the application, Jones notes a high percentage of original material, design, workmanship, location, feeling, association and setting are still visible as Sacred Heart Hospital, and contribute to the historical significance of the building.

On May 14, the Le Mars Historical Preservation Commission conducted a public hearing to receive comments on the application for the National Register of Historic Places.

"That hearing was done because Le Mars has an historic preservation commission and because the state wants the local agency to know what's going on in the community," Jones said.

"Preservation happens at the local level," Jones added.

The hearing also allowed local individuals to review the application document and correct information that may not be accurate.

"People on local commissions are involved in history and can serve as a double check," Jones said.

The next step for the application is a review June 12 by the State Nominations Review Committee.

Jones explained the Review Committee can basically concur with the local community, agree to list the building at the state level and then send on to the National Parks service, or they can ask for more research.

"It's quite extensive," Jones said.

Jones holds a master's degree in historic preservation and works as a consultant architectural historian in Iowa and South Dakota.

Current Plymouth County sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places and date named to register:

Le Mars Central High School, 1999, now home to the Plymouth County Historical Museum

Le Mars Municipal Park and Golf Course Historic District, 2001, also known as Le Mars Recreation Park

Le Mars Public Library, 1979, also known as Le Mars Civic Center, now home to the Le Mars Arts Center

Plymouth County Courthouse, 1981

Reeves Farmstead Historic District, 2001, also known as Reeves Heritage Farm

St. George's Episcopal Church, 1976

Thoren Hall, 1998, located on the Westmar College campus (building demolished)

Tonsfeldt Round Barn, 1986, located at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds

Larson Site, 1976, Sioux City