Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1921, Part 1

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Publication date: 1921
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VMOI 'SINION SIC

GREEN COLONIAL FURNACE

- The Cheapest to. Own

P. J. CLANCY & CO. General Insurance Agents

Fire and Casualty Insurance Workmen's Compensation

Suroty Bonds i

Phono, Walnut 1401

413 5th Street (Wellington Hotel)"

DES MOINES, IOWA

ESTABLISHED 1847

THE PENN MUTUAL LIFE OF PHILADELPHIA

RUMSEY & BASHAM

GENERAL AGENTS

Des Moines, lowa

See Page

ay It with Flowers „

ALPHA FLORAL CO. Cor. 7th & Walnut Phone: Walnut 362-363

Telephone, Walnut 3328

HUGH E.RUMSEY

"AGENT FOR THE INSURER" Gver 30 Years Experience in Life Insurance Work ADVICE-SERVICE- PERSONAL ATTENTION

A. T. WATSON, NORMAN S. JACOBS, NEWMAN DORR-Associates Sulto, 505 Crocker Bldg. DES MOINES, IOWA.

UPHAM BROTHERS CO.

INSURANCE SPECIALTIES ·19 Hippeo Building

IOWA TRUST & SAVINGS BANK

BUILDING TEACHOUT

EAST FIFTH & LOCUST STREET

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

CARR-BAAL BILT WELL MILLWORK

You See It Everywhere

1800

Class

Book

DOW AND ' DOOR NEL WORK AND ENS, SCREEN FLOORING, CHINA

ETC.,

WORK

CORNELL WALL BOARD, ROOFING, ROOF PAINT, LADDERS, ETC.

CARR & BAAL CO.

WALNUT 682-3-4-5-6 -

BILT MILL

WELL WORK

301-315 S. W. 9th ST.

WINDOWS A FRAMES, ฿ BEAM DOOR INT 1

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

1867

55TH YEAR 1921

Insurance

Company

EQUITABLE LIFE OF IOWA.

Home Office

Des Moines

PIONEER IOWA COMPANY AND

OLDEST ACTIVE LIFE COMPANY ORGANIZED WEST OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER

OVER $250,000,000.00 OF INSURANCE IN FORCE

Having Doubled in Size In Less Than Four Years

Liberal Policy Contracts Embodying 0 Total Disability and Double 1 Indemnity Benefits.

Reasonable Rates Combined with Large Annual Dividends have been responsible for a Remarkable Record for

LOW NET COST

HRST Company in America to SECURE it's promises to pay by DEPOSIT of Securities equal to the Full Reserve upon ALL Policies in force with the Commissioner of Insurance of its Home State

NO Greater Security has yet been devised than the FAMOUS IOWA DEPOSIT LAW

Originated by the EQUITABLE OF IOWA FIFTY-THREE YEARS AGO

If you WANT THE BEST Life Insurance or an Agency for the Company which sells it, Write the Company.

HOME OFFICE. DES MOINES, IOWA.

4 -

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

N. C. TOWNE

& SON

REALTORS

Improved Farms For Sale in Iowa, Minne- sota and North Dakota

Unimproved lands in Minnesota, North Dakota and Canada for sale at Bargain Prices on Easy Terms in tracts of from 40 acres to 5,000 acres in a body. These lands are well located, accessable to markets and ad- jacent to railroad stations.

INFORMATION, PLATS AND LITERATURE. FURNISHED ON REQUEST

420-421 Polk Bldg.

Tel. Market 1612.

Des Moines, Iowa.

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

Willcox-Howell-Hopkins and Mulock

202 Central Life Building. Telephone Walnut 1082

The Oldest and Largest General Insurance Agency in the State ESTABLISHED 1865

We are Exceptionally Well Equipped to Serve You in The Following Lines:

Fire and Lightning High Winds, Cyclone, Tornado Use and Occupancy

Rents Sprinkler Leakage

Plate Glass

Bank Burglary

Accident and Health

Workmen's Compensation

Resident Burglary and Theft Steam Boiler Open Stock Burglary Burglary, Safe and Show Case Fly Wheel Public and Elevator Liability Automobile Fire, Theft, Liability, Property Damage and Collision Insurance . Fidelity and Surety Bonds

General Agents

GLOBE INDEMNITY CO. OF NEW YORK

"OUR FACILITIES ARE YOURS"

W. V. WILLCOX H. R. HOWELL W. W. WADDELL

B. C. HOPKINS E. H. MULOCK

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

ESTABLISHED 1847

Penn Mutual Life

of Philadelphia

D Issues all forms of Life Insurance Policies, including Partnership, Corporation and Monthly Income Policies. :

[[ Compare our rates and values with those of any other company.

[ Specimen policies showing cost, values and privileges furnished on request without any obligation on your part.

D Send us the date of your birth.

D Over $11,000,000 carried by citizens of Des Moines, Iowa.

ANY INFORMATION DESIRED WILL BE GIVEN BY

Rumsey & Basham

General Agents

· 408-411 Crocker Building

Des Moines, Iowa 1.

CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

DES MOINES

The United State Bank Des Moines, Iowa

Seventh Street, Corner Grand Ave.

€

Invites the Savings and Checking Accounts of - Individuals and Business Firms

. [

4 Per Cent Per Annum Paid on Savings Compounded Semi-Annually

Accounts

Foreign Exchange Bought and Sold Travelers Cheques Issued

OFFICERS

Frank D. Jackson, President

V. W. Miller, Vice President 7

I. G. LUCCHESI, Asst. Vice President

A. C. Nelson, Cashier D. B. Casady, Asst. Cashier

A. E. Cass, Asst. Cashier

·DIRECTOR'S

FRANK D. JACKSON ERNEST A. JACKSON LEO. E. STEVENS V. W. MILLER

FRED H. PEASE CARL F. PERCIVAL

GEORGE A. WELLS N. M. HUBBARD, JR. CARL B. PRAY

C. A. EAST

W. C. BALLARD

-50

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

Established 1872

Valley National Bank

DES MOINES, IOWA

Corner Walnut and Fourth Streets

United States Depositary

We invite accounts from busi- ness firms and individuals.

Our modern equipment and exceptional facilities are at your service.

Safety Deposit boxes for rent, $2.00 per year and upwards.

4 PER CENT INTEREST

PAID ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS IN THE

VALLEY SAVINGS BANK

Under Same Management.

Combined Capital

$ 350,000.00

Combined Surplus and Profits 600,000,00

Combined Deposits

6,500,000,00

OFFICERS

R. A. CRAWFORD, President W. E. BARRETT, Cashier

D. S. CHAMBERLAIN, Vice President

C. T. COLE, JR., Vice President

CLARENCE M. CORNWELL, Asst. Cash. JOHN H. GINSBERG, Asst. Cashier

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

THE

PEOPLE'S SAVINGS BANK Des Moines, Iowa

Capital $100,000.00 Surplus $250,000.00 Other Profits $50,000.00 Deposits $4,000,000.00

DIRECTORS

M. L. Sheuerman

Dr. D. W. Smouse

Chas. H. Martin R. J. Fleming

Frank P. Flynn J. S. Carpenter

H. D. Thompson E. A. Slininger A. D. Struthers

OFFICERS

CHAS. H. MARTIN, President FRANK .P. FLYNN, Vice Pres. E. A. SLININGER, Cashier CARL W. MESMER, Asst. Cashier ROSCOE C. MORROW and E. R. MILLARD, Assistant Cashiers

See Backbone

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

Des Moines National Bank

Southeast Corner Sixth and Walnut Streets DES MOINES, IOWA

Cordially Invites You to Open Either a Checking or Savings Account, Offering Absolute Security for Your Funds, and Prompt, Accurate and Courteous Treatment

4 Per Cent Interest on Savings Accounts

Finest Safe Deposit Vaults

Foreign Exchange and Travelers Checks Sold

Depository for the United States, State of Iowa, Polk County and City of Des Moines

Resources Over Twenty Million Dollars

OFFICERS:

ARTHUR REYNOLDS, Chairman of the Board

JOHN A. CAVANAGH, President. H. R. HOWELL, Vice President. GEO. C. WILLIAMS, Asst. Vice Pres. ANDREW J. HUGLIN, Asst. Vice Pres. CLARENCE A. DIEHL, Asst. Vice Pres. WALTER J. ROBERTS, Asst. Vice Pres.

JOHN H. HOGAN, Vice President. HERBERT L. HORTON, Cashier. OTIS L. JONES, Asst. Cashier. R. H. COLLINS, Asst. Cashier. CARL HUMMELL, Asst. Cashier. EDWIN F BUCKLEY, Asst. Cashier.

John A. Cavanagh H. B. Hawley John H. Hogan H. R. Howell

DIRECTORS: L. C. Kurtz Chas. A. Rawson Arthur Reynolds Ralph E. Rollins

H. E. Rumsey W. W. Sears Fred W. Weitz N. M. Wilchinski

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

To Promote Our Better Acquaintance

W HEN you do business with us, we must know who you are, because confidence is a fundamental necessity in the banking business, and it springs only from thorough acquaintance.

For mutual advantage, we want you to know us as well as we know you. That is why when you come into our banking room you will see on the various desks and windows, bronze name-plates indicating who is at any particular desk or window.

There are no barriers of formality here. You will find a hearty welcome and a sincere desire to assist vou in any matter of banking or trust. Put us to the test.

FIRST

TRUST & SAVINGS BANK LOCUSTIN. W. CORNER-SEVENTH

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

Iowa Trust & Savings Bank TEACHOUT BUILDING, 500 EAST LOCUST STREET

WE DO A COMMERCIAL AND SAVINGS BUSINESS

WE PAY

4 Per Cent Interest Compounded Semi-Annually on Savings Accounts SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES FOR RENT OUR POLICY Progressive Yet Conservative RESOURCES OVER $2,000,000.00

WE ARE AT HOME EVERY DAY

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

A. O. HAUGE, President

C. B. HEXTELL, Vice Pres.

CLARENCE MICKELSON, Asst. Cashier

L. M. BARLOW, Cashier

JOHN A. BENSON, Vice Pres.

GEO. D. JORGENSEN, Asst. Cashier

CHAS. E. LYNDE SOL PANOR A. C. HANGER L. O. LARSON

O. K. OLSEN

CENTRAL TRUST COMPANY OF DES MOINES

316 FIFTH STREET CASH CAPITAL, $1,000,000.00 SURPLUS AND PROFITS, $850,000.00 Deals in First Mortgages and Investment Bonds. Acts as Executor, Administrator, Guardian and Trustee.

SCOTT RAWSON, President CHAS. L. GILCREST, Vice President R. E. JACKSON, Assistant Secretary

TAYLOR GRIMES, V. Pres .- Loans DIRECTORS

L. M. GRIMES, V. Pres .-- Trusts

L. B. Bartholomew . Simon Casady

Charles L. Glicrest L. M. Grimes Taylor Grimes R. E. Rollins

F. W. Hubbell L. C. Kurtz H. S. Nollen Charles A. Rawson Scott Rawson

H. E. Rumsey

M. Samish W. E. Tone N. M. Wilchinski -

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

Bankers

Mortgage Company

We are in the market to purchase outright, entire issues of

County, City, Town, School, | Drainage, Road Bonds and Choice Iowa First Mortgages and solicit offerings of same by Public Officials.

Banks and others. Correspondence and interviews invited.

A selected list of Iowa Tax Free Municipal Bonds and Iowa Mortgages constantly carried on hand, suitable for conservative investors.

WE BUY AND SELL ALL ISSUES .. OF GOVERNMENT BONDS.

Bankers Mortgage Co.

705-6 Bankers Trust Bldg., Des Moines, Iowa

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

Iowa Securities Corporation

Incorporated Under Iowa Laws Capital. $100,000

Securities Building 412-414-416 Seventh Street.

POTIER BUILDING

Iowa Securities a Specialty.

What Iowa Securities have You?

Do you know their Market value?

Write us for information free.

INVESTMENT BANKERS

Underwritings Commercial Paper

Farm Loans Listed and Unlisted Securities

Specializing in

Business and corporate organizing New issues of reorganized companies Dividend paying Preferred Stock of Iowa Corporations

We do not sell any new issue or recommend the purchase of stocks unless they have been in- vestigated and approved by our advisory board.

OFFICERS

G. Bruce Newcomb, President Myndert A. Vosburgh, Secretary Kirk A. Boggs, Treasurer

E. I. Leighton, Vice President

. Daniel G. Stiles, Chairman of Advisory Board Telephone Walnut 1973 Main Office, Third Floor Securities Bldg.

See top line Back Cover.

FR FR

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

Burns Brothers Company 1

INVESTMENT BANKERS

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL $1,000,000.00

500 Walnut Street

Des Moines, Iowa

-Tax Exempt Bonds-

GOVERNMENT, STATE, COUNTY, CITY, SCHOOL, DRAINAGE AND ROAD DISTRICT BONDS BOUGHT AND SOLD

STOCKS

LOANS

INDUSTRIAL BONDS

TRADE ACCEPTANCES

MORTGAGES

COMMERCIAL PAPER

AUDIT SERVICE

INSURANCE

FINANCING BUSINESS CONCERNS OF UNQUESTIONED MERIT AND UNDERWRITING OF PREFERRED ISSUES OF WELL ESTABLISHED COMPANIES.

OFFICERS

J. R. BURNS.

PRESIDENT ‘

E. R. HOLLAND

J. B. BURNS.

JANSEN HAINES.

'M. H. COHEN

GENERAL COUNSEL .COMPTROLLER

CHAS. V. NEAL

DIRECTORS

J. R. BURNS E. R. HOLLAND

J. B. BURNS JANSEN HAINES

M. H. COHEN

A. C. SAVAGE R. W. HARPER

H. C. JORDAN C. F. MOMYER

J. E. BULAND

L. E, GOODE

GEO. N. FELGAR

J. C. LAMBERTSON

JAMES PHELAN -

VICE PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT AND. TREASURER SECRETARY

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

THE ADAMS THEATRE CO.

Offers to Des Moines theatre-goers a variety of consistent- ly high-grade legitimate entertainment.

Any night in the week you can spend a pleasant evening at the

PRINCESS-the foremost stock company in America. Daily with Matinees Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday.

PANTAGES-Unequalled Vaudeville. A new show every Saturday. Performances daily at 2:30 and 8:15.

BERCHEL-Musical Revue first four days each week, starting Sunday. Matinee Daily. Thursday, for three days, best road productions. Matinee Saturday.

Jaeger Manufacturing Co.

GENERAL MILL WORK

Designers and Builders -of ---

Store Fixtures, Soda Fountains, Cabinet Work, Office and Bank Furniture

Telephone, Walnut 770

Eighth and Vine Streets

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

Hotel Fort Des Moines

400 Rooms

400 Baths

- - --

Servidor Service

Popular Price Coffee Room

Permutit Softened Water

W. F. MILLER, President and Manager 1

O. H. WERTHER, Assistant Manager

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

Hotel Savery

300 ROOMS

300 BATHS

Popular Price Coffee Room

Unique Chinese Tea Room

T. H. HOFFMAN, Manager HAL W. MINTON, Assistant Manager

1 -

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

Hotel Wellington

EUROPEAN

DES MOINES, IOWA

WER LING TINH PER

WELLING" CHY

Hot and Cold Running Water and Telephone in Every Room. Hotel Centrally Located and Close to Wholesale and Retail District, Public Buildings and Theaters. Three Blocks from the Rock Island and Union Stations.

200 ROOMS-50 WITH PRIVATE BATH

Rooms Without Bath 75c to $1.75

Rooms With Bath $1.50 to $3.50

H. C. HANSEN, Proprietor

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

HOTEL IRWIN -----

New (European)

Absolutely Fireproof Most Popular Hotel in Iowa's Capital

HOTEL I RIWIIN

.. ...........

100 ROOMS, 90 WITH BATH, CIRCULATING ICE WATER IN ROOMS. CLOSE TO THEATERS, SHOPPING DISTRICTS, BOTH WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, AND COURT HOUSE. ACROSS FROM UNION R. R. STATION AND ONLY ONE BLOCK FROM C. R. I. & P. DEPOT:

W. T. IRWIN, Mgr.

RATES $1.50 AND UP

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

Stabilitya Permanency

Do you realize that a City Directory advertisement is a testimonial to the per- manency, the stability, of the advertiser?

That's the sort of concern all of us want to patronize, because we know when they sell us merchandise they are behind it in every way, today, tomorrow, and for the years to come.

"Fly-by-night," "fire-sale" and other temporary or "get-rich-quick" concerns rarely appear in the City Direc- tory.

And it is a noteworthy fact that the concerns which advertise one year in the city directory are there again next year. 90% of directory advertising is renewed.

Directory advertising, is profitable. In connection with the class- ihed business headings it is doubly effective.

May we explain how and why it will pay you?

The Publishers of this Directory

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

DES MOINES STEEL CO.

QUICK S

E R V I

1,000 Tons Steel in Stock for Immediate Shipment STEEL FOR BUILDINGS

QUICK

BRIDGES

FIRE ESCAPES

STEEL LUMBER AND LATH

R J I

ORNAMENTAL IRON

CONCRETE REINFORCING BARS

RANSOME CONCRETE MIXERS

E ,

DES MOINES STEEL CO.

FIFTH AND TUTTLE STREETS, DES MOINES, IOWA

Phone Walnut 2400

J. E. VAN LIEW, President .

Loetscher & Burch Mfg. Co. SASH, DOORS, MOULDINGS, STAIR WORK, ETC.

MANUFACTURERS AND DESIGNERS OF

STORE, BANK AND OFFICE FIXTURES

MANUFACTURERS AND JOBBERS OF

Everything in Mill Work High-Grade Hardwood Interior Woodwork a Specialty

Office Corner East Fourth and Vine Streets

Telephone Maple. 250, 251

POLK'S DES MOINES

CITY AND VALLEY JUNCTION

DIRECTORY

1921

VOLUME XXIX

CONTAINING A MISCELLANEOUS DIRECTORY OF STATE, COUNTY AND ; CITY GOVERN- MENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, CHURCHES, SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES, ETC., A STREET GUIDE AND HOUSEHOLDERS' DIRECTORY, AN ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED LIST OF BUSINESS HOUSES AND PRI- VATE CITIZENS, GIVING THEIR FULL NAMES, OCCUPATION OR PURSUIT, AND ADDRESS. ALSO A COMPLETE

CLASSIFIED BUSINESS DIRECTORY "The Buyer's Guide"

PRICE

The DIRECTORY IS THE COMMON INTERMI DIARY BETWEEN BUYER AND SELLER

$12.00

OFFICES 717-718 Polk Bldg., Des Moines, lowa

....

Member Association of North American Directory Publishers

R. L. POLK & CO., Compilers and Publishers

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

Introductory

F629 D4A18 (1921). Directories -

The present volume constitutes the twenty-ninth edition of R. L. Polk. & Co's Des Moines City Directory. The work will be found to be as complete and accurate as it is possible to produce a publication of this character, in view of the vast amount of information involved in the compilation. The standard attained in the previous issues is fully main- tained in this one and the Directory will prove to meet the needs and requirements of patrons as fully as its predecessors.

The Directory has five distinct departments arranged in the order following:

The Miscellaneous Department, included in pages 35 to 68 contain in- formation concerning State, City, County and Township officers, Asylums and Hospitals, Cemeteries, Churches, Courts, Federal Officers, Insurance Companies, Libraries, Military Societies, Clubs, Fraternal and Benevolent Societies, Newspapers and Periodicals, Post Office, Railroads and-Secret Societies.

The Alphabetical List of citizens, business firms and corporations is embraced in pages 69 to 1439.

The Valley Junction Residence and Business Directory occupies pages 1440 to 1468.

The Street and Avenue Guide and Directory of Householders covers pages 1469 to 1724.

The Classified Business Directory or Buyers' Guide is included in pages 1725 to 2007, this department shows the manufacturing, mercan- tile and professional occupations compiled under headings appropriate to the class of industry pursued or profession followed.

DES MOINES.

Civic, Commercial and Industrial Statistics of Certainties."

concerning the "City

POPULATION OF GREATER DES MOINES.

The Federal Census of 1920 credited Des Moines proper with a popula- ¡tion of 126,468 a gain of 40,100 or 46.4 per cent over the census of 1910, but the canvass for this Directory taken jnearly a year after the Federal census, covered not only Des Moines proper but a large outlying suburban territory. The total number of names in the present Directory is 56,353; in this number is included no firm name, church, school, institution or anything else which does not stand for the name of an individual. Using the multiple 212-to allow for the names of women and children not represented in its columns-we have 140,833 as the estimated popula- tion of the territory covered by the Directory canvass.

The city is administered under what is known the country over as the "Des Moines Plan," a type of Commission rule; a Mayor and four Coun- cilmen are elected for a two-year period without regard to party lines or city location, and they, upon election, divide among themselves the duties of the five departments: Public Affairs, Accounts and Finances, Public Safety, Streets and Public Improvements and Parks and Public Property. This type of government was effected at an election held June 30th, 1907.

BUILDING.

The following is the record of building permits and cost of construc- tion since 1915:

1915

757

$1,873,616

1916

856

3,387,896

1917

982.

2,640,469

1918

670.

4,110,566

1919

1,220

5,266,185

1920

938.

4,191,230

WATER SUPPLY. -

The water supply is municipal, being administered by a Board of five. Trustees appointed for a term of years by the city authorities. The approximate investment is $4,000,000; miles of mains, 215; capacity in cubic gallons daily, 60,000,000; average daily pumping (gallons), 10,000,-

APR 14 192! CA614125

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY (1921)

000; pressure, 30 to 110 pounds. The charge for the first thousand gallons per day is 30 cents, for the next 4,000 or less 20 cents, and for all in excess! .of 5,000 gallons per day 10 cents per 1,000.

STREET RAILWAYS.

The Des Moines Street Railway Company, privately controlled, with Its fourteen distinct lines covers the city quite thoroughly, 132 cars are operated during the rush hours at a fare of 712 cents where tickets .are purchased. The fare was established by the Federal District Court as a fair return on the valuation of the property and cost of operation.

ELECTRIC POWER.

Des Moines Electric Company, privately owned, furnishes service to some 25,000 meters and has a capacity of 25,000 kilowatts. They offer power as cheap and in many instances cheaper, than similar utilities in other cities.

GAS

The Des Moines Gas Company is a private corporation with a capacity of 5,000,000 cubic feet daily. There are 250 miles of mains and approximately 30,000 meters. The present net price per thousand, irre- spective of quantity consumed is $1.50. The present consumption is approximately 900,000,000 cubic feet per annum, leaving ample reserve for emergency and expansion.

SEWERAGE DISPOSAL.

The mileage of the sewer system of the city is now 255 miles, costing approximately $4,000,000. The city has invested $87,500 in a garbage plant incinerator and sewerage disposal pumping system.

FIRE PROTECTION.

The city has adequate fire protection. The department is completely motorized and is of the most modern character, horse-drawn equip- ment having been withdrawn. The total number of men employed is 199; the number of pieces of fire apparatus is 30 and its value is $200,- 000, alarm boxes and other supplies are valued at $92,725, real estate and buildings for 15 stations are valued at $237,692. The total fire loss for 1919 was $285,338, property in jeopardy $9,080,879.

STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.

The area of the city is 56 square miles. There are over 600 miles of city streets, paved streets number 209 miles representing an outlay of $8,000,000. The investment in bridges alone is $2,000,000 additional. The city is on a number of National highways and through the efforts of the Des Moines Automobile Club these routes have been marked through the city. Among them may be named the Jefferson Highway, Woodrow Wilson Highway, Daniel Boone Trail, River to River Road, D. L. D: High- way, Yellow Diamond Trail, White Pole Road, Panora Speedway and Pawnee Trail.

TELEPHONES.

The Northwestern Bell Telephone Company serves over 35,000 instru- ments. The average number of calls for a 24 hour period during 1920 was 219,000.

HEALTH AND SANITATION.

Des Moines tops the list of cities of the Nation as regards typhoid from water supply. There is no prevalence of epidemics of any sort. The total number of deaths in 1920, according to city health authorities, was 1,668; the total number of births was, 2,642; the altitude of the city ranges from 800 to 875 feet; the average yearly temperature is 49.3 de- grees; the highest average month is July with 75.5 degrees; the lowest is January with 20.4 degrees; the average humidity the year round is 79.8 at 7 a. m. and 63.4 at 7 p. m .; the city owns a hospital valued at $125,000 and a detention hospital at $25,000 additional.

HOUSING CONDITIONS.

- Housing conditions are as good, if not better, as any city at similar size in the country. . That there is a shortage of dwellings is admittedly true, but such a condition has been nation-wide, due to lack of construc-

(1921) R. L. POLK & CO.'S

tion during the war | period and abnormally high prices for building materials in the post-war period, this in face of the rapid growth of the city. That this condition is being remedied to some extent is apparent from the report of the Iowa Housing Commission that of the 1,582 dwell- ings erected in the 14 cities of the first class (15,000 or over) in Iowa for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1920, 929, or almost two-thirds, were built in Des Moines.

SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND LIBRARIES.

Des Moines has 110 churches of practically every denomination. The value of church, hospital and lodge property is roughly placed at $5,000,000. There are five well equipped hospitals in addition to the one belonging to the city. The Independent School District operates 72 build- ings, represented in some 60 district units; the teaching staff numbers approximately 900 instructors. The enrollment at present exceeds 30,000. The valuation of the property exceeds $4,000,000. Sites have been secured for two new high schools for which bonds have been voted. The city has twelve universities, colleges and special schools, with a yearly at- tendance exceeding 8,000, probably 50 per cent of which is nonresident except through the school year. The public library is municipally owned and administered. The property is located in the civic center on the river front and is valued at $475,000; the last published report shows 112,- 214 volumes, in addition to 10,713 pamphlets. The circulation for the fiscal year ending April 1, 1920, reached a total of 330,518. The Iowa State Library is located in Des Moines. It numbers 177,303 volumes. It consists largely of reference works. .

RECREATION.

There are 850 acres devoted to Parks, valuation of $2,000,000; this includes play grounds, athletic fields, bathing beaches and golf courses. There are sixteen exclusive motion picture houses, vaudeville houses, etc. The Iowa State Fair occupies grounds valued at |$1,500,000. The at- tendance has averaged 400,000 for several years.

A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY THE POLICE FORCE.

The police force under the Superintendent of Public Safety numbers 128 persons, including executives. There are 88 patrolmen and traffic officers; the department buildings cost $600,000, equipment $20,000, one- half of which is motorized. The total arrests for the calendar year end- ing April 1, 1920, was the lowest by a large margin for any like period.

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Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1921, Part 1

Author: Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date: 1921
Publisher:
Number of Pages: