The Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home was temporarily located in a three-story building at Fifth and Main streets. The building was refurbished through local donations and made ready in October 1865. Arthur Morrison was the first superintendent, and by the end of 1865 there were 96 children living at the Home.

Local citizens provided a forty acre tract of land southwest of town, while the state appropriated $25,000 for a new building, staff and financial support.

The Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Hoe was completed in 1869, and it served its original purpose until 1875. In the following year it became the first classroom, administration and residence building of the new Iowa State Normal School, and came to be known as "Central Hall."

Central Hall was used as a classroom and office building until 1965, when it was destroyed by fire.