As Iowa's capital city, Des Moines is a hub
of government action, business activity, arts and cultural affairs. With a City population
approaching 200,000 and a metro population of nearly 500,000, Des Moines offers some of
the nation's best schools, superb public services, and friendly, caring neighborhoods.
Affordable housing, one of the nation's
shortest average commute times, and an increasingly diverse population, make Des Moines a
wonderful place to live, work and visit.
HISTORY
The history of Des Moines can be traced to
1834, when John Dougherty, an Indian Agent at Fort Leavenworth, Ks, recommended that a
military post be established at the point where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers merge.
Nine years later, May 1843, Captain James Allen and a company of dragoons from Fort
Sanford arrived on the site. Captain Allen proposed to name the garrison Fort Raccoon but
was directed by the War Department to use the name Fort Des Moines. The origin of the name
is uncertain, but most historians agree that the name probably initially referred to the
river. Some people feel that 'Des Moines' is derived from the Indian word 'moingona'
meaning river of the mounds which referred to the burial mounds that were located near the
banks of the river. Others are of the opinion that name applies to the Trappiest Monks
(Moines de la Trappe) who lived in huts at the mouth of the Des Moines river. French
voyagers referred to the river as La Riviere des Moines. The consensus seems to be that
Des Moines is a variation of Moingona, Moingonan, Moingoun, Mohingona, or Moningounas, as
shown on early maps.
Settlers began locating almost immediately
near the fort, which is now the site of Sec Taylor Stadium. Streets were platted in 1847
and in 1851 the town was officially incorporated. In 1857, Fort Des Moines was shortened
to Des Moines and later that year the city was designated the capitol of the State of
Iowa.
The first City Hall Building was built in 1870 and was located at the corner of Second and
Locust, now the site of the Civic Center Apartments. At that time it also housed the Fire
Department and the Court House. That building stood until 1882 when it was demolished and
replaced with a structure known as the City Market. On Christmas Eve 1909, the City
Council approved the construction of the present City Hall building, which interestingly
enough was called the Municipal Building in an effort toward a more positive connotation.
Bids were tabulated and the low bidder was the firm of Charles Weitz and Sons, with a bid
of $301,960. The cornerstone for the building was laid on June 13, 1910 to the great
excitement of the community. Newspaper headlines heralded the event and noted civic
leaders from all over the country that would attend the ceremonies. The dedication was
preceded by a large parade through downtown which featured a platoon of police officers,
civic groups, and a unit from the Sixth Cavalry.
During the 1900s issues such as the
development of permanent roads, new health laws and women's suffrage dominated debate. But
with the onset of World War I in August of 1914, expansion slowed as the country braced
itself for war. To aid in the nation's war effort, Camp Dodge was established in 1917 and
more than 100,000 Iowans were trained for combat.
Des Moines suffered the loss of many young men during the war. As those who were lucky
enough to survive returned home, they faced unemployment. In January 1919, Mayor Tom
Fairweather estimated that over one thousand veterans needed jobs and urged businesses in
the City to assist with this growing problem. Local construction programs helped ease the
situation, and the early 1920s saw an increase in building, particularly for Des Moines
schools.
Although much of the boom that Des Moines experienced in the 1920s came to a halt with the
stock market crash of 1929, the City fared surprisingly well throughout the 1930s.
Federally funded projects supplied work that improved the City, including new bridges and
streets. By 1941, Des Moines' populations had grown to 160,000 but as 1942 began, the City
changed significantly as the nation entered WWII. As in most U.S. cities, food became
scarce and thousands of men left the workforce to join the service.
By the end of the War era, Des Moines began to pick up the pieces and concentrate on
improving the quality of life. Many businesses flourished in the post war climate, and the
City soon emerged as a major insurance center. Other businesses located in Des Moines
prospered and the City breezed through the next three decades with a healthy economy.
Current information on business and employment statistics in the City of Des Moines
indicate that the city continues to thrive.
Today more than 200,000 people live in Des Moines, and the City is recognized as a center
for government, education, business, culture, and the arts. Des Moines also has gained
national recognition as a major insurance center (the third largest in the world) with
nearly 60 life, health, and casualty companies. The City's climate-controlled skywalk
system serves as an important link to parking garages, hotels, restaurants, stores, and
businesses. Skywalks make up more blocks per capita in Des Moines than in any other city
of comparable size in the U.S. The City's numerous tourist attractions and facilities have
established it as a popular and thriving Midwest city.
Altoona
