[2] Beginning in the mid-19th century county homes were established across the state to take care of less fortunate residents.

The historic district encompasses the buildings, farm fields, and cemetery associated with the home.

Des Moines architect Willfred Holtzman, Jr. designed a three-story, brick, Neoclassical building to replace it.

A hollow tile block pump house, built either in the 1920s or in the 1950s, is the third contributing building.

The non-contributing buildings include a shelter house (c. 1975), used for outdoor events, and a machine/equipment shed (c. 1977).