Timeline of Des Moines, Iowa facts for kids

Welcome to a fun timeline of Des Moines, a cool city in Iowa, USA! This page will show you how Des Moines grew from a small fort into the big city it is today, with important events and changes over the years.

Des Moines' Beginnings: The 1800s

• 1843: The US Army built a fort called Fort Des Moines.
• 1846:
  • Fort Des Moines became the main town for Polk County.
  • The first schools opened in small cabins.
• 1848: Woodland Cemetery was started.
• 1849: The Iowa Star newspaper began printing.
• 1850: The population was 502 people.
• 1851:
  • A big flood happened.
  • On September 22, the town officially became a city.
• 1853: Benjamin Luce was elected as the first mayor.
• 1854: The Western Stage Company started running.
• 1855: A Brass Band was formed.
• 1856: The Iowa Weekly Citizen newspaper began printing.
• 1857:
  • Des Moines became the new capital city of Iowa, moving from Iowa City.
  • The city received its official charter.
• 1858: A bridge was built over the Des Moines River at Court Avenue.
• 1860: The population grew to 3,965 people.
• 1861: Western Union Telegraph began offering services.
• 1865: A Hook and Ladder fire company was started.
• 1866:
  • In August, the railroad began operating in Des Moines.
  • The Des Moines Library Association was organized.
• 1867:
  • In April, another flood occurred.
  • The State Arsenal was built.
• 1870:
  • The Polk County Woman's Suffrage Association was formed. This group worked for women's right to vote.
  • Capital City Nurseries started their business.
  • The population reached 12,035 people.
• 1872: The Caledonian Club was organized.
• 1874: Younker Brothers Department Store opened for business.
• 1875: In June, the State Republican Convention was held here.
• 1878: Cottage Hospital opened.
• 1880: The population was 22,408 people.
• 1881: Drake University was established.
• 1883: The Foster Opera House was built.
• 1884: Capital City commercial college was founded.
• 1885: The Des Moines Women's Club was founded.
• 1886: The beautiful Iowa State Capitol building was completed.
• 1888: William Lytle Carpenter was elected mayor.
• 1889: The Des Moines Zoological Gardens opened.
• 1890:
  • Highland Park College was founded.
  • The population reached 50,093 people.
• 1893: The Sisters of Mercy opened the first hospital in Des Moines.
• 1895:
  • Grand View College was founded.
  • The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) was founded.
• 1896: The Women's Press Club and Proteus Club were founded.
• 1898: S.S. Still College of Osteopathy was founded.
• 1900: The population was 62,139 people.

Des Moines in the 1900s: Growth and Change

• 1901: Fort Des Moines was re-established.
• 1902: The Register and Leader newspaper began printing.
• 1904: George W. Mattern, a Republican, was elected mayor.
• 1906: The Polk County Courthouse and The Lexington apartment building were built.
• 1907: A new city plan was adopted.
• 1910:
  • Hotel Cargill opened for business.
  • The population reached 86,368 people.
• 1914: Aviator Billy Robinson flew from Des Moines to Kentland, Indiana.
• 1915: Riverview Park, an amusement park, opened.
• 1917: Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School was active during World War I.
• 1918: The 1918 influenza epidemic affected the city.
• 1920:
  • The Des Moines League of Women Voters was founded.
  • The population was 126,468 people.
• 1923:
  • Work began on Salisbury House, a large mansion. It was finished in 1928.
  • The Hoyt Sherman Place Theatre was built.
• 1924: The Equitable Building was constructed.
• 1930: The population was 142,559 people.
• 1931: The Allen Hazen Water Tower was built.
• 1933: The Des Moines Airport was built.
• 1934: In September, a labor strike occurred.
• 1935: The Iowa Taxpayers Association set up its headquarters in Des Moines.
• 1940: The population was 159,819 people.
• 1950: The population was 177,965 people.
• 1955: Veterans Memorial Auditorium opened.
• 1958: Des Moines became a sister city with Kofu, Japan.
• 1959: Merle Hay Mall opened for business.
• 1960: The population was 208,982 people.
• 1965: The Iowa Genealogical Society was founded.
• 1966: Blank Park Zoo opened.
• 1970: The population was 201,404 people.
• 1972: Gateway Dance Theatre was founded.
• 1973: The Financial Center was built.
• 1975: The Ruan Center was built.
• 1978: A fire happened at Merle Hay Mall.
• 1980: The population was 191,003 people.
• 1981: The Des Moines Marriott Hotel was built.
• 1983: The Des Moines Rowing Club was organized.
• 1985:
  • Des Moines became sister cities with Shijiazhuang, China, and Saint-Étienne, France.
  • The Plaza Building was constructed.
• 1986: The HUB Tower was built.
• 1990: The population was 193,187 people.
• 1991: The 801 Grand building was constructed.
• 1992:
  • Des Moines became a sister city with Stavropol, Russia.
  • Sec Taylor Stadium (now Principal Park) opened.
• 1994: The Iowa Barnstormers football team began playing.
• 1997:
  • Preston Daniels became mayor.
  • The EMC Insurance Building was constructed.
  • The Des Moines Dragons basketball team was formed.
  • The city's website went online.
• 2000: The population was 197,800 people.

Des Moines in the 2000s: A New Century

• 2004: Frank Cownie was elected mayor.
• 2005: Wells Fargo Arena officially opened.
• 2006: Des Moines became a sister city with the Province of Catanzaro, Italy.
• 2010: The population was 203,433 people.
• 2020: The population was 214,133 people.