Des Moines, Iowa


Des Moines is located in the southcentral and is the capital and the largest city in the U.S. State of Iowa. Des Moines is known as the insurance capital of the United States. The city has a small town atmosphere. It also serves as a hotbed of political dreams every four years when presidential candidates endlessly tour the state and have several debates in the city.



To See And To Do In Des Moines


  • Adventureland Amusement Park And Adventure Bay Water Park
  • Des Moines Art Center
  • Capitol Building
  • State Historical Society of Iowa Museum
  • Salisbury House
  • Des Moines Botanical Center
  • Shopping In East Village
  • The Pappajohn Sculpture Park


History Of Des Moines - Timeline


In 1843, Captain James Allen supervised the construction of the building Fort Des Moines. The fort was abandoned in 1846, but the about 130 settlers in the village around the fort, occupied the abandoned fort and nearby areas. In 1849, Des Moines' first newspaper, The Iowa Star, now known as the Des Moines Register, was published.

In 1851, Fort Des Moines was incorporated as a city. The same year, much of the city was destroyed during the Flood of 1851. In 1857, the city changes its name to Des Moines and the state capital was moved here from Iowa City.

In 1864, the Des Moines Coal Company was organized to begin the first systematic mining in the region. In 1866, the first railroad reached Des Moines. Des Moines Police Force was established in 1876, with a total eight men. In 1881, the Drake University was established. In 1886, the State Capitol Building was completed.

In 1900, more than 62,000 people lived in the city. In 1910, the City Hall and the United States Post Office was completed. In 1924, the Equitable Building was completed. For nearly 50 years it was the tallest building in Iowa.

In 1926, the Des Moines Municipal Airport was established. The Des Moines Art Center opened in 1948. In 1975, the Ruan Center building was completed. In 1985, the Plaza Building in downtown was completed. In 1991, the skyscraper "801 Grand" was completed. In 2004, the Edna M. Griffin Memorial Pedestrian Bridge was built.