The landmark "White House," as it was called, and three World War II army barracks on the grounds of the Battle Creek Federal Center were slated in November 1983 for demolition. The house was built around 1909 — one of about 40 cottages used to accommodate overflow guests at the old Battle Creek Sanitarium, which was sold to the federal government during WWII and converted to the Percy Jones General Army Hospital before coming the Federal Center after the war. The dwelling was moved to the location at Washington Avenue and Manchester Street in 1942 and became the quarters of Norman T. Kirk, the first commandant of the military hospital. The Manchester Street barracks were built in 1943 to house nurses, physicians and technicians assigned to Percy Jones. The demolition would make way for a landscaped lawn and parking.