USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1881 > Part 5
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Des Moines, has rapidly yet substantially grown into prominence as one of the leading cities of the West .: Her progress has of late been most miked in the direction of wholesale trade and manufactures, all, of which are in a prosperousi condition. New factories are springing up, ind all have orders from home and abroad for their fullest capacity. Somplus labor is finding employment, and new enterprises are entered into with characteristic American chergy. | The principal business of the city is transacted on the level lands on each side the Des Moines fiver. A great volume of traffic is carried on here, and Des Moines merchants. da' large and remunerative business. Who can tell of the future pro- docts of our city? What their aggregate and what their weih? What better location for manufacturing enterprises can capital . 1; ? Here, also, is the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, fording ample water pover. | There is an unusual unanimity of pride ambition here, and every citizen congratulates himself that be is a aident of Des Moines. It is plain that this city is to be a commercial `well as a milway and manufacturing center. There has never been a period in the history of Des Moines, when business men in such farge numbers have come within our borders, many establishing large indus- fries, and inany mord expecting to locate here as soon as time and dir- bimstances will permit. In slew of the many railroads which now enter Des Moines, and of those which will be completed to this point during Che ensuing year, we are led to inquire' the reason for this desire on the part of so many railroad companies to reach our city. Is it not because as our location in the center of the most productive area on the con- dhont, and in one of the best stock-raising and grain-producing regions of the world, and on the line of the great continental thoroughfares? With the rapid growth which Des Moines has made in the past few years, and with the many iron arms extending in almost every direction, reaching but for the trade not only of Iowa, but of the entire Northwest, for, whole- Iling goods and distributing manufactured products, may we not con- gratulate ourselves that the Business men, throughout the regions tribu- tery to our city, rejoice with our enterprising business men; that Des Moines is to be the commercial center of the Northwest ? Business in Des Moines rests upon a solid, healthful basis, the trade aggregating tens of millions of dollars annually. and rapidly increasing. The immense trade which centers here is supported by the country for hundreds of miles in extent, reaching out into the territories beyond. It is true that there must be a great commerciali center somewhere in this vicinity, and ve are far enough from Chicago and Cincinnati on the, east;' St. Louis br Kansas City, south; St. Paul, Minneapolis or Milwaukee, north, with po intervening competing points; and the entire, West and Northwest tributary to make this the favored spot; and the time is not far distant when Des Moines, as a great railway center, manufacturing and commer- cial city, will be numbered with those cities whose population is counted with the first cities in the Union. DE
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BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.
BUSINESS.
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BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.
THE CITY'S TRADE.
Our mercantile transactions are assuming immense proportions-netes sitating the employment of extra capital and labor ..
BISINESS STATISTICS.
Agricultural impi!
5 895.000
Hotels
"Alcohol awhole-hl
IKIND
ice ;..
Apples a whole-a
Jewelers
69,10
Barbed wire.
Bror
Black smith-
87.900
Lumber.
1,573,0%
Book binding
58.000
Meat markets
129.00%
Books and stationery
378.90
Millinery
487.000
Notions (wholesale)
430 800
Bottling work-
Honda, mineral wa-
Breweries
Butter and For-
Carpets and ol nihs.
INJ. 140
Pork and fard 2.456,000
Clothing
215.000
{ har - and tob
340.000
Paper ( wholesale) $8.000
I'mat and ruke
1,055.450%
55.000 Rendering works (wholesale)
Saddlery hardware 35,000
187.400
truckers and alter ware
165.000
Drugsi-t- retaili
155.200
Sewing machines
Flour and ford.
621 000
Second hand goods
77,000
Grain doalert
1.500.000
Spiret and baking por sale).
55,300
Syrup and glucose (wholesale)
191.812 154.400
Gunsmith-
15.370
· Transfer companies
103,600
I'nderlaking
15,950
Wall paper
45,00
Har- cap- and furt
Holesand Tallow
TOTAL.
$21,367,191 1
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INES OLESALE AND RETAIL ..
Agricultor il imgdes:
Hardware 476,000
Harness and saddlery hardware .. 85,0.0
20,00
Barimal wire
161.000
Hides, pelt- and furs.
37,000
brathed and shoe findings
$35,000
Boots and shoes
121.4000
Millinery and laney goods
330,800
Brooms
China. glass and quy an wate ..
45,000
Pickles and vinegar
2,456,000
Pork and lard.
61,800
Cải and coke
53.800
Rendering works
28,800
Soap ....
Spices and baking p 55,300
21.812
Syrup and glucose.
174,400
l'inware,
387,000
Furniture:
397.000
Groceries
373,300
Woolens and flannels:
$12,325,452
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Manufacturing.
Wholesale trade
Retail trade ...
Grain and produce
89,431,630 12,325,452 9,042,015
Coal trade
Improvements
1,055,850 2,259,039 2,456,000
Pork packing
2,665,100
C
Notions and fancy goods Oils .. 195,100
260,000
Paper . ..
212,000
Carpet - and of cloths
274.500
Pianos and organs
22,600
Cigars and tobacco, Clothing
250.000
Pottery wares 55,000
Confectionery
850.000
Crackers
Drugs
Dry goods
321000
Flour and feed.
153,000
Wall paper
120,740
Wines and liquors
50,000
TOTAL
1.500,000
Sach doors and blinds (wholesale). School furniture.
35,000
Drug- awhole saint
Serdy ..
..
67,400
₦11.300
Soup ( wholesale)
Furniture .:
1.489.900
1.500.000
Tinware ( wholesale).
98.500
Woolen mille
50,000 :
Apples
Beer
126.100
Lumber : 237,000
Brick.
113.500)
Botter and regs
55.50
Wine and liquors (wholesale).
195,10%
10,500
Pianos and organs
325,000.
176.100
Pickles and vinegar ( wholesale) Pottery wares
68.008
Pumps and lightning rods! 35,000
Confectionery
315.000
Oils:( wholesale)
Leather and shoe findings (whole- Sales
BUSINESS SUMMARY.
Books and Statione) y
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BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY. .
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Grain and Produce,-It is impossible to give full statistics of this great exchange in our city. Hundreds of farmers come here and send their products direct to Eastern markets by the car load. The figures shown in the summary below are given by dealers alone.
GRAIN AND PRODUCE EXCHANGE.
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Apples
$ 161.000
849. 000
Butter and eggs Flourand feed. 12.1, 000 Grain. 1,087.000
Hominy
15,600
Oat meal.
100,000
TOTAL ..
$2,839,600
The corn used by our glucose and alcohol establishments is not jacluded in the above estimate, and would amount to $150,000, and this year, from the increased facilities of the factories already located here, a well as the starch works and new alcohol works to be in operation, the dfly consumption of corn will amount to an increase of at least. 12,000 bushels.
Pork Packing. - Des Moines being favorably situated, and having good railroad facilities for receiving as well as for sending their product. East and South, has no rival in the West in facilities for pork packing. The city ranks among the most extensive pork packing cities in the Union, and our establishments equal in extent and capacity some of the largest houses in the country. The close of the last packing season showed a total of nearly 300,000 hogs jacked. The packing will con- finge throughout the summer, their immense ice houses being filled, preparatory to the summer's!work.
Lumber Trade - The great number of cities and towns which have sprung up in all directions about us, and add the enormous outlay yearly ¡ required for our city improvements; and then note that our dealers are the principle means through which to secure the materials for these grent improvements, and you will then have some idea of the greatness of our city's lumber trade. The sales last year, wholesale and retail, eamounted to $1,575,000.
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Wholesale Groceries. - The fast-increasing and far-extending trade rof pur wholesale grocers is mainly due to increased demand caused by & larger territory receiving supplies from Des Moines. | There are four wholesale houses which aggregate about $2,000,000 worth 'sold in 1880, and our trade in this line far exceeds that of any other city in the State. `There is a gradual increase of home productions used in the grocery line In Des Moines. We have one of the largest amber cane syrup and sugar refineries, a starch factory), vinegar and pickle works, soap manufac- Stories, creameries, smoked meat establishments, etc., and each year records more home-produced goods handled, as their business takes gigantic stridles forward.
Wholesale Furniture. - Prominent among the most successful busi+ ness houses of the capital city are the wholesale and retail furniture establishments. They fank among our most capacious business |blocks, and most enterprising and able business men.
The Wholesale Millinery interests of our city are represented by a
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BUSHNELL'S' DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.
number of well established houses whose business is constantly increas- ộ İ
ing. Their sales for last year amounted to $237,000.
Wholesale Notions .- These firms are composed of practical, energetic . business men, who are ever on the alert to enlarge the ever-increasing t airele which bounds their trade. , Last year their sales aggregated $330.000.
Wholesale Druggists .- The stock they carry is so complete that they can fill orders of a large and varied description without delay. Their aggre- gate sales last year amounted to $370,000. ,
Wholesale Dry Goods -The country opened up in the Northwest is rich in farm lands, whose productiveness is but just becoming known; a greatly increased indax of population may be confidently expected. This presents new fields and large opportunities to the Des Moines wholesale ? trade. Within the past few months Des Moines has received, in addi. ' tion to various other business houses, two wholesale dry goods establish- : ments.
Boots and Shows. Wholesale-Des Moines has two wholesale book and shoe houses, each of which is doing a thriving business. The extent of their trade includes most of and is rapidly extending throughout the West. Their sales last year aggregated $245.000.
Wholesale Saddlery and Reuther .- Our wholesale saddlery and har- nes: establishments are a credit to Des Moines. They handle first-class goods and are controlled by men of unquestioned integrity.
Seeds, Wholesale -Last year's record shows the total amount for seeds sold, at wholesale, to be; $67.000. We have but one general seed house, most of whose seeds have been grown in this immediate vicinity, and arrangements have been made for the coming year to enter more largely into this branch of the business, that their patrons may rely upon obtaining fresh seeds which are absolutely pure,
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Wholesale Je celry .- Des Moines has recently added to her wholesale trade a jewelry establishment, which is! prominent among the dealers of Kansas and Nebraska as well as Iowa.
Transportation Companies. - We have four very able and well disci- plined transfer lines, that handle the immense amount of freight to' and from the business houses and manufactories and the railroad freight depots.
Omnibus Lind-No better line of omnibuses can be found in any part of the country than in our city. They are always at the depots at . the arrival and departure of trains, day or night, to take passengers to any part of the city., They have kept pace with the city's progress in furnishing transportation accommodations for all occasions.
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Ice Companies .- Besides thousands of tons put up by our pork pack -. ers, brewers, and other immense consumers, we have two companies that deliver ice to any part of the city, and fill orders by car loads to cities east and south. The ice which forms on our, rivers is very clear and : solid, and from one to two feet in thickness. The sales last year amounted to :$75.000.
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HOTELS.
No better index to the prosperity, progress and enterprise of a city can be found than in the character of its hotels. A large percentage
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BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.
of Americans reside either permanently or temporarily in hotels, which are justly regarded as the temporary homes of the traveling public. Des Moines is noted for her fine hotels, whose accommodations excel those of any other city in the State, and they are finished in a more elegant . style, while their tables are celebrated for presenting all the luxuries the market affords. . The locations, accessibility and excellent man- agement have brought them a reputation and popularity second to none in the State. But our hotel facilities, unusual as they are, are no more! than we need for our daily business as a city, and we are not at all times able to furnish good hotel accommodations to all comers, for with the numerous railroads centering here, rendering the city accessible from all portions of the State, State meetings of various organizations are held here in, all seasons of the year and it often occurs. that several are in session at the same time, and our hotels ard inadequate at such times to furnish accommodations to all who come. Already en- largements and improvements to our hotels are in progress, and another large first-class hotel, to supply the demands jof the traveling public; we, [. understand, is to be erected during the coming season,
DES MOINES! AS |A HOME.
Des Moines is at present fostering a spirit of public improvements .. unparalleled in its history of a quarter of a century. , If any person will take the pleasure to ride into the residence portion of our city, he. will be surprised at the evidences of growth and permanent prosperity, everywhere abounding.
Mote good, substantial residences have been completed during the last twelve months than ever before in the same period. [Our climate, healthful as it is, is productive of energy and enthusiasm. We have an, exhilarating atmosphere, and our citizens are possessed of health and vigor. This is one of the greatest' induce- ments that win strangers to settle here for a permanent, healthful.home. Where hut three years ago was only a lonely forest, today stand fine brick jand frame residences. . On every resident street you can find homes worth from $10,000 to $25,000 each, while those valued at $5,000 can. be seen on almost every square.
Our residences have increased from a few hundred to over five thou- sand within the last decade! Our public school buildings now number eight, and afford room for five thousand pupils: These buildings are of brick of elegant and commodious character, having all the modern im- provements. There are in the city about eight thousand children of school age, and over 60 per cent of them are enrolled. In addition to these we have private schools for all classes and ages, and for those wishing to prepare for business. These schools and colleges have an at- tendance of over seven hundred pupils.
Our facilities, too, for all entertainments, whether concerts, lectures operas or theaters, are most complete, having elegant auditoriums, with all the usual and required appointments afforded in the largest cities, with capacity to accommodate over 5,000 persons. Thus, with our churches, some thirty in number, most of which have elegant and commodious edifices of worship, our schools, our pleasant homes and our social advantages, we invite all to come. Homes are rapidly covering our
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BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES CITY DIEECTORY.
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hills and adding to the beauty and wealth of the place. Each new resi- dence improves those preceding, and in all elements, material, social, edu- cational and otherwise, the city was never more prosperous. Every !! industry centering in Des Moines is marked by increasing activity. Situated as she is, and supported by so rich a country, the most sanguine anticipations of her citizens will be realized.
REAL ESTATE.
Our real estate changes are marked and astonishing. The advance- ment in values during the last few years has been great. There are num- berless inviting locations surrounded by native groves, overlooking beau- tiful streams, or the business portions of the city, for residences; and lots, though in great demand, can be obtained at reasonable rates in a desirable location for business or manufacturing purposes.
CHURCHES.
The virtue of the people is as marked as their intelligence, which is evidenced in the number 'and efficiency of the churches, the number and vigor of the Sabbath-schools, the special attention given to the subject of temperance, the moral reforms of the times, and the mis- sionary and charitable movements of the age. Des Moines is well sup-s plied with churches, there being over thirty congregations, representing ! the various Protestant, Catholic and Jewish denominations, most of them having elegant and commodious edifices for worship. The church! buildings are valued at $350,000, and -are capable of seating sixteen thousand persons, with an aggregate membership of nearly ten thousand.
'COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS.'
The Callanan College is an educational institution which was organ- ized here by the munificence of Mr. James Callanan,' who donated $20,000, and other citizens who also gave liberal sums toward this ob- ject. The institution' is devoted chiefly to the education of young ladies, and the boarding department will be restricted to ladies; however, provi- sion is made for the preparation of young gentlemen for college | or business. The curriculum embraces music, the arts, scientific, literary and classical courses. ; The college property embraces the extensive and beautiful grounds overlooking the city, and including a charming view of our rivers and hills beyond. Central and yet. secluded, it is admira- bly adapted to the wants of such an institution.
The Des Moines University is a well founded institution of learn- ing, under the control of the Baptist denomination. It has regular classical and scientific courses, and a preparatory department. It is pleas- antly situated on a beautiful elevation." The grounds are an excellent selection, the home of a native grove, and the position commands & grand view of the city and surrounning country.
Public Schools .- Des Moines has eight large, fine school buildings, which cost over $400,000, and the ground they occupy over $100,000 more. They require sixty-five teachers, who give instruction to more
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BUSHNELL 8 DES MOINES CITY | DIRECTORY.
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than 5,000 children. The number, of children of school age is about 8,000. This gives an average Gincluding one thousand in attendance at dur colleges, Catholic schools, and various other private schools) of 75 poricent of children of school age in attendance.
Business Colleges .- A good thorough, practical/ business education is what every person needs to fit him for active business life, and we know of no better place to obtain it than at either of our Business Col. leges. Book keeping, business arithmetic and law, short hand and teleg- raphy, penmanship and correspondence are all taught with thoroughness. Private Schools .- We have several private schools which have a good number of pupils. Prominent among these are two Catholic schools, Stl Ambrose and St. Francis, which have fine brick buildings, with all modern improvements, and are centrally located.
Music Schools .- Our schools of music have cach a very central loca- tion, and their directors are among the most proficient in the accomplish-' ments of musical, study and artistic rendition in the West. They are all well attended, and many pupils come from abroad to further their studies under the unexcelled directions of our Des Moines teachers. .
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
One of the most beneficial and complete sources of entertain- mient, progress and culture, is afforded by the libraries of the city. Here we have our celebrated State Library, which ranks fifth in size and importance among the law libraries of the Union; and attorneys from other States often come or write here for references. The scien- tific, historical/ fiction, biographical and record departments are also well filled. We have also a well selected and exceptionally large 'city library, in addition to which is kept a file iof the leading monthly and, weekly magazines, and our city publications, The State Arsenal has the Record Library of the Wars of the United States, all of which are far public reference.
SOCIETIES AND ORDERS.
Far above the proportion generally are the benevolent and charitable societies and order's of Des Moines. . They are all strong organizations, and have as a rule elegant and commodious halls for meetings, and accom- modations for large gatherings.Quite a number of the orders have three, strong, influential lodges, while nearly every society has repre sentative bodies.
HOSPITAL.
In this connection, we with pleasure state that, by the charities of our citizens, there is sustained and managed, very creditably to the mana- gers and our city, an institution known as the Cottage Hospital. Any person who is injured by accident, or becomes sick and needs assistance in our midst can there find a home with experienced and kind hands to take care of him, at. the same time receiving the best medical treat- ment, which is furnished the institution by the members of the Polk County Medical Association.
BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The force consists of twenty-six men, including the Chief. They are well equipped, and, the hose houses have recently been furnished with 3,000 feet of new rubber and cotton hose. The horses are kept con- stantly harnessed, and the drivers sleep in a room immediately above, in which is a gong that sounds by connection with the telephone. the harness on the horses is fastened everywhere with snaps, so that bitch- ing up is the work of ' an instant. There were thirty-four fire alarmsD from January 1, 1850, to January 1, 1881, It was a year singularly fortunate, as the total loss amounted to the meagre sum of $6,188.50. Much is due to the efficiency of our fire boys that the sum was not greater. A great many fire extinguishers are kept in conspicuous places in the hotels and public buildings, and whenever needed have proved very useful .. Our city is well supplied with water by the cele- brated Holly system.
BRIDGES.
We take pleasure in stating that we have five iron bridges, six hun- dred feet in length, spanning the Des Moines, and two substantial struc- tures bridging the Raccoon, all of which are free to public travel. There will also be two new bridges built during the present year, which will facilitate travel, and make the immense throng crossing our present structures more scattered, so that farmers can enter the business parts of the city by more direct roads.
SIDEWALKS AND SEWERAGE.
In all directions throughout the city you will find convenient, well laid sidewalks. Although generally built of heavy, solid pine lumber, many have been taken up and replaced with stone or concrete. . During the last year much was done in the way of sewerage. We have now twice as much of the city sewered as any other city of Iowa of its area.
CEMETERIES.
The Woodland Cemetery is located in the northwest part of the city; is well adapted, gently undulating land. There are many fine decora- tions throughout the grounds. The Catholic Cemetery lies immediately north of the Woodland. The Jewish Cemetery lies adjacent to the northwestern part of Woodland.
IOWA STATE FAIR GROUNDS.
The location is at Brown's. Park, one mile west of the city limits. The C., R. I. & P. R.R. runs frequent and regular trains to the grounds dur- ing the Annual Fair of the State Agricultural Society. The location is extremely favorable for an exhibition of the products of the various departments of agriculture, and for a full attendance of farmers from every locality in the State. For the first time in the history of the
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BUSHNELL 8 DES MOIENS CITY DIRECTORY.
State Agricultural Society, the Fair Grounds are located at a point easily accessible from all directions, and the unprecedented attendance during the last two State Fairs clearly indicates that the public appre- cjate the change. The grounds contain , nearly one hundred acres, including a natural lake covering three aud a half acres; which has an; aferagy depth of sixteen feet " The grounds are artistically laid out. with carriage-ways mal walks in good order and have' ornamental cotrance and exit good. The buildings are Simple, tantoful and con- ferient; fwater is abundant, theto being a system of water works, with. powerful engine, and pipes laid throughout the grounds. The track & pronounced by horsemen the best west of Chicago.
IOWA STATE FAIR AND STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Directors of the Iowa State Agricultural Society, at their last ses- sion, decided to hold their next Annual Fair here, commencing September 5,1881, and continuing one week. The last Hair held here was the" grandest exhibition of the products of the soil, agricultural implements, and manufactured products and fine stock ever held within our State. The State Agricultural Society has been controlled, as a rule, by the best men and the best minds in Towa; its affairs have been conducted: with intelligence and prudence; its annual volume of transactions has ac- complished a great work to vaid inviting inmigration; it has given wide circulation to a knowledge of qui resources to other States and coun -!. tries; it's compilation and preservation of statistics, its collection of the . products of the field, and its library are valuable!
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