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Prairie Architects, Inc. |
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Grand Army of the Republic Lodge Redfield, Iowa |
Original Design The Grand Army of the Republic Lodge is a simple two story, wood frame, gable front building, probably influenced by Later Greek Revival sensibilities of the latter half of the 19th century. It has approximately 575 square feet on each storey. A deep front open shelter with a flat deck roof and handrail provided a viewing stand at the front of the building and shaded the large display windows flanking the recessed entry door. The lower level of the building was intended for commercial space, with rental revenues presumably accruing tot he support of the Lodge. Initially, the United States Post Office occupied the lower lever. There is no extant indication of how the lower level might have been subdivided. The GAR Lodge on the second floor was comprised of a single open room, with access by way of an open-weather stair at the west face of the building. The ceiling was head-height at the east and west eaves, sloping upward and then flattening across the center of the room, with curved plaster detailing at each change in plan Existing Conditions Over the years, the building was neglected and deteriorated significantly. This was compounded by problems in the original construction of the building. For example, the building was partially founded on shallow loose laid limestone blocks, with most of the rim and interior floor framing timbers bearing directly on the dirt. This led to extensive deterioration and rot. The walls were balloon framed and finished on the exterior with wood clapboard over 2x6 sheathing. Unfortunately, this was not structurally adequate for the imposed loads. The pitched roof framing with 2x4 rafters was configured with a horizontal tie at about the mid-span of the rafters to create a vaulted ceiling in the second storey lodge room. The undersized rafters were unable to carry the loads imposed by the roof and have deflected outward. Consequently the two north-south walls of the building have also bowed outward, unable to restrain the lateral loads imposed by the deflecting roof. The interior finishes in the lower level were removed sometime in the past and the room was subdivided and partitioned. Upper level plaster on wood lathe finishes were badly cracked and rotted due to extensive long term roof leaks and was beyond reasonable salvage. The existing exterior clapboard siding had been covered by asphalt roll roofing. The exterior stair was no longer safe. |
Restoration Work Phase One |
Phase 1 Involved the replacement of the foundations and the addition of a crawl space with new vapor barrier and concrete mud slab base. The foundation was finished with new limestone facing. The wood structure was partially stabilized and the building was made weather tight in preparation for phase 2. |
Prairie Architects, Inc. -- 103 South Third Street -- Fairfield, Iowa 52556 |