History

VA Central Iowa Healthcare System

President Herbert Hoover signed an appropriation bill from Congress in 1931 that authorized 
more than $20 million in new construction and improvements to federal Veterans hospitals
throughout the nation. 

Iowa expected this appropriation to provide a new Veterans hospital within the state along with $375,000 in improvements and additions to the existing Veterans hospital in Knoxville, Iowa.

Frank T. Hines, Administrator of Veterans Affairs, indicated the preference for a new veterans hospital in Iowa would be in or near Des Moines. If not Des Moines, a site in Boone may be selected because a cost-effective site was available.

Forty cities offered 65 possible locations to a committee that would select the site. Requirements for the site included access to paved roads, services such as water, sewage, and electric power, adequate drainage, and a topographically prominent site.

In September 1931, the hospitalization board of the VA chose Des Moines over Boone for the site of a new Veterans hospital. 

In Des Moines, two locations were considered. An Ashworth property on the west side was initially selected.  When local residents protested, a tract along Euclid Avenue west of the Des Moines River was chosen. A $661,500 contract was awarded for construction June 16, 1932 for the main building with a capacity of 300 beds and an additional 15 buildings within the campus. 

The remaining money was used to purchase hospital equipment. By September 1933, the hospital buildings were essentially complete. The new, Des Moines VA Hospital had a 300-bed capacity, and could also care for a few domiciliary patients (those Veterans who needed long-term care).  

Ernest R. Corwin of Des Moines was the first patient admitted to the new facility, on April 2, 1934. By the following week, nine additional patients were admitted.

Knoxville, Iowa also is part of VA Central Iowa history.  VA had a hospital in that town for several years.  In 1996 the VA announced that the two facilities would merge.  They became known collectively as VA Central Iowa Healthcare System in 1997.  Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi announced on January 7, 2005 that the Knoxville facility would close. The last Knoxville patients were moved to the new extended care building in Des Moines on December 18, 2009.