Sioux City History and Culture by Bicycle Part 110: William Labarth Steele Part 5: Florence Crittenton Center

Over the last 126 years the Crittenton Center has evolved to meet the needs of children and families. It started out by helping women and children experiencing homelessness and personal crisis with no other place to go. Today the Crittenton Center Mission is to foster independence and dignity in partnership with families.

Along with evolving to meet the changing needs of families the Crittenton Center has also changed physical location. One of these locations is an empty building that still stands today which William L. Steele designed.

Its location is at 1105 28th St. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. It is in much need of repair. WHen I stopped to take the photo's of the building I talked with a woman who lives in the neighborhood. I asked a little about the building. It has been empty for at least 15 years, if not more. Unfortunatly it has attracted a criminal element of sorts. She told me people break into it and deal/do illegal drugs and use it for prostitution activities. She wishes whom ever owns it would do something with the building, but does not want to see it torn down because of its historical value to the community. The building does need a lot of work to restore it. It could be turned into something useful, like a community center or apartments.

I fear the building is destined to be torn down. That will mean another piece of history will be lost to the ravages of the wrecking ball. It would likely be because of those that only see this building as an attraction for criminals and they think that by removing the building the criminal element goes away and the building will be eventually lost to time.

The goals and focus of the Crittenton Center will survive no matter the physical location. It would be nice that an historical building they used to occupy would also survive from being demolished.

Here is the info. from the National Register of Historic Places:
Florence Crittenton Home and Maternity Hospital (added 2000 - Building - #00000306)
Also known as Crittenton Center
1105-1111 28th St., Sioux City
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Beuttler & Arnold, Beach & Steele
Architectural Style: Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance: Social History, Health/Medicine, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924, 1925-1949, 1950-1974
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Health Care
Historic Sub-function: Hospital
Current Function: Domestic, Work In Progress
Current Sub-function: Multiple Dwelling

Here is a chronological history of the Crittenton Center:
History of Crittenton Center

Here is some more info. about the Crittenton Center:
About Us - The Crittenton Family of Agencies
Crittenton Center - IA - Sioux City

Here are the photo's of the building: