Iowa’s Most Endangered Properties

Iowa’s Most Endangered Properties program was launched in 1995 to highlight the historic buildings and sites that are slowly, and often quietly, disappearing from our communities. The initiative serves as a powerful tool for raising public awareness, generating media attention, and connecting endangered property owners with preservation advocates and resources that can assist in protecting and revitalizing their historic assets. Each year, Preservation Iowa issues a call for nominations in the fall, reaching out to members, Main Street communities, and historic preservation commissions across the state. A panel of judges then evaluates the submissions using four key criteria: geographic distribution, historic significance, the nature and severity of the threat, and the diversity of building types represented. Together, these factors help shape a list that reflects both the richness of Iowa’s heritage and the urgency of preserving it.