Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1882-3, Part 5

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Publication date: 1883
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USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1882-3 > Part 5

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BUSHNELL'S DES

MOINES

DIRECTORY.

but the hospital has recently passed into the hands of the municipal government, land its sphere of usefulness will be still more widely ex- tended.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Des Moines claims to have one of the most thorough fire depart- ments in the State, the companies having a large membership, with houses on each side of the river .! The horses are kept constantly harnessed, and the drivers sleep in a room immediately above, in. which is a gong that sounds by connection with the telephone. The harness is fastened every where with shape, so that hitching up is the . 11 work of an instant.

--- The department is well equipped with all neces- " sary appurtenances for protecting and saving property, and the members are uniformed in a neas and |attractive | manner. The fire department is well disciplined and very efficient. The number of fires during the year 1881, was thirty three, occasioning a loss only of $8,615,

BRIDGES.

Of the eight handsome bridges spanning the Des Moines and Rac- coon rivers within the city, six cross the Des Moines, and two the Raccoon. Five of these bridges are built of iron, and three are.of wood, and all are fine substantial structures, about six hundred feet in length; It is expected that one new bridge will be built across each of these rivers next year.

CEMETERIES

Woodland cemetery, our beautiful "city of the dead," is situated in the northwestern portion of the city,' The land is gently undulating, uplands and dells and shady groves abound, and a small stream quiet- ly pursues its way through the grounds. Here the departed are left to their final rest, but their friends frequent the hallowed spot, beau- tifying it with costly monuments, and other memorial devices to per- petuste the memory of "the loved ones gone before." Immediately north of Woodland cemetery is the Catholic, and the Jewish cemetery adjoins it on the northwest. New grounds have been recently pur- chased by the city .and will be laid out for cemetery purposes for the accommodation of that portion of the city east of the Des Moines riv- er. -- 11 IOWA STATE FAIR AND STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The Iowa State Agricultural Society, at their last session, decided to hold theirinext Annual Fair here. The last Fair was the grandest exhibition of the products of the soil, agricultural implements,, and

BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.

manufactured products, and fine stock ever held within our State. - The State Society has been controlled, as a rule, by the best minds in Iowa; its affans have been conducted with intelligence and pru- dence; its annual volume of transactions has accomplished a great work toward inviting immigration; it has given wide circulation to a knowledge of our resources to other States and countries; its compila- tion and preservation of statistics, its collection of the products of the field, and its library, are valuable.

IOWA STATE FAIR GROUNDS

Are located at Brown's Park, one mile west of the city limits. . The grounds comprise about one hundred acres, including a natural lake covering nearly four acres, with an average depth of sixteen feet, and for beauty and harmony of arrangement surpass anything ever used as fair grounds in Iowa. The carriage ways and walks are kept in good order, and have ornamental entrance and exit gates. There is abundant shade, and a bountiful supply of pure cold water, there being a system of water works, operated by a powerful engine, and pipes laid throughout the grounds. The buildings are ample, tasteful and convenient for the use of exhibitors, officers and visitors. | The ; amphitheater will easily seat ten thousand persons, and the track is pronounced the best west of Chicago. The location is very favorable, being easily accessible from all portions of the State !! The C., R. I. and P. R R. has a double track extending from their depot on Fourth . street to the entrance of the Fair Grounds, and run frequent and regular trains during the State Fair. The Wabash and other railway companies expect to lay tracks to the grounds, to be ready for opera- tion at the opening of the next State Fair.

THE NEW CAPITOL.

This vast structure when completed, in its elegance and beauty, will be a lasting monument to the wealth and liberality of the fair State of Iowa, which it so fitly represents. It occupies a double square in length reaching across one street, is built of white stone and elaborately ornamented. The massiveness of the structure is relieved by elegant domes at each of the four corners, while a larger one crowns the center of the edifice. From the commencement of the work in 1871, to November 30th, 1881, there had been expended upon it the sum of $1,834,553.88 and it is expected that the next General Assembly will hold its session in the New Capitol. The finish and decorations of the interior will be executed in a manner to

BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.

53 completed, it is estimated that the building and grounds will cost 82,500,000.

when have .

IMPROVEMENTS. ----

The year 1881 has been remarkable for the prosperity and success . I which has been attained in the various departments of trade, com- merce and manufacturing, exceeding that of 1880 to a greater degree than had been expected by the most sanguine. New railroads, man- ! ufactories, wholesale houses and capitalists have located in our midst, during the past year, while the prospect is most encouraging for the year to come. An indication of the prosperity of the city is seen in the number of factories which commenced business here last year, prominent among which are the search works, grape. sugar works, - woolen mills, paint works, alcohol works, soap factory, shirt factory, boiler works foundry and machine works, mill furnishings, brass foundry, tile and sewer pipe works, sawmill, and a number of smaller works. The record of buildings surpasses that of any previous year, in the history of Des Moines, in residences and business houses, In regard to residences the season has been conspicuous for the num- ber of elegant dwellings erected. The figures below will enable the - reader to form an accurate idea of the extent of the improvements made during the year:

Thirty- Heven business blocks .. . $1,038,663.

City Improvements, Including

Bowerage, streets, aldewalks,'

Seven butidred and twenty-five residences

1,180,810

95,325 ctc. Railroads, . including) .depots,

Churches, colleges and public

buildinga.

235,350

bridges, round-houses, etc .... 379,800

Total. $3,529,979

BUSINESS ENTERPRISES NEEDED.

Although Des Moines has a large number of factories in successful operation, engaged in the manufacture of a variety of products, yet there is room for many more industries in various branches of manu- facture. We have shown the great advantages, natural and acquired, which Des Moines possesses for a manufacturing center, and we de. sire to call the attention of capitalists and manufacturers to the needs of the city. ; Manufacturing is admitted to be the basis of success in ) the growth of a city, and this is fully realized by the citizens of Des Moines, who are desirous of giving all the encouragement in their power for the establishment of new enterprises here. Nowhere in the west is there a better point for the receipt of the raw material, the production and distribution of manufactured goods, nowhere| can

harmonize with the richness and beauty of the; exterior, and

.54

BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.

a multitude of workmen more economically! support themselves and families, or more easily procure a home. Every citizen will take a pleasure in noting the growth of our various manufactories, the as- tonishing strides which the wholesale and jobbing interests have taken to supply the increasing demand for their goods, and the many new gateways opened for the entrance of other industries, which are bound to follow.

There is an excellent opportunity in Des Moines for the establish- ment of any of the following industries:

WHOLESALE DRY GOODS.

There is perhaps, no business so much needed in this city at the present time, as a large Wholesale Dry Goods House. The mer chants all' over Iowa, and the States and territories west of us, arel asking for it, and promise their support to any reliable house that may be established here; most of the wholesale houses of this city have united in an Invitation, in the following circular, pledging their support for the establishment of a Dry Goods House in this city as follows:

"We the undersigned, wholesale merchants of Des Moines, fully appreciating the fact that the great want of our city, from a commer- cial point of view, is one or more first class wholesale dry goods houses, wish to say that, in our judgment, the establishment of one for everi two such houses would not be an experiment, but that with fair management success would be certain. We know that hundreds of our customers are waiting for the opportunity of buying their dry goods where they purchase their other goods rather than go East for hem.

"We pledge the support of whatever influence we may have, as well as that of nearly two hundred traveling men."

ROLLING MILLS.

Nothing would be more cordially welcomed by our railroads, job- bers, contractors and wholesale dealers than Rolling Mills and Nail - Works .. It is said that .the cost of returning rails and car wheels to. Eastern mills for re moulding, would pav the expense of re-manufac- turing them at this point, and nails can be made at the same price as in Eastern States; and by obtaining the ore from the Iron Mountain of Missouri, or Superior regions, one half the freight paid for Eastern products could be saved,

STOCK YARDS.

One thing which we need, and the demand must soon be supplied, is good, convenient stock yards. Not only ought this to be the great central feeding point in transit, but efforts should be at once put !

BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.

forth to make Des Moines a notable stock market !: The yards should be large and conveniently arranged. Here the butcher and the packer should be able to find at all times what their business. 1

requires.

GRAIN ELEVATORS.

The two which we now have are small and inadequate to the demand of this, the central portion of the greatest grain raising dis- trict of the Mississippi and Missourl river valleys. To those who build them, they will prove profitable investments, and their conveni- ence to farmers about us will not be realized until we have them, and see their vast importance. A PAPER MILL,

For the manufacture of both news and wrapping paper, would be a valuable acquisition to our city. An abundance of the material re- quired for its manufacture is shipped from our city or wasted on the adjoining fields! The entire product of a large mill can be used here, and every convenience necessary for its operation can be had at small expense.

A LARGE PAPER BOX FACTORY 1.

would do well here, as the demand is already great, through our manufacturing confectioners, milliners, wholesale boot and shoe houses, hats, caps and furs, druggists and starch works, besides supplying the general demand which always existe for paper boxes. We understand that a large trunk factory, as well as a paper box factory, is to be in operation early the coming season.

CANNING ESTABLISHMENTS.

1. No soll excels our own in productiveness, and few regions. can compare with us in the bountiful harvests of the field, the orchard and the garden. Instead of importing for consumption |during the winter months, we ought to can for preservation our own sweet corn, peas, beans, tomatoes, small fruits, etc. We have. the best facilities in the West for exporting these goods. A canning establishment, having all the needful accessories, would be a remunerative business, and should be built, and men of enterprise will not permit the city to. be long without this important industry.

MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES!

One thing most desired by every citizen is available and convenient Market Houses. Every resident of the city is interested in this, and the farmers and market gardeners of the vicinity are demanding it with sufficient reasons to be successful in their plea.

BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY,

A large Cheese Factory in or near the city would be a remunera- tive industry. We have two creameries here; and two small cheese factories in the vicinity, but their capacity is not sufficient for all the milk which could be supplied, and the product could never exceed the demand.

A first-class Wagon Factory would be a profitable investment, as our agricultural implement dealers sell annually nearly one thousand wagons, which should be manufi ctured here. The manufacture of various farm implements is in operation here, but cannot supply one- fifth of the demand, and there is encouragement for one or more first- class factories.

The best quality of silicious sand for the manufacture of flint glass is found in the immediate vicinity of Des Moines. No better . loca- tion for glass factories can be found in the West than at Des Moines.

There are many industries that would prove remunerative which should be established here, and we believe there is no better locality in the West, for manufactures of nearly every variety, than our city affords. We might mention many branches of business and manu- facture which would be successful if located in Des Moines, but enough has already been said to induce anyone who is looking for a new site for business, or home, to visit our city before locating else- where. We might mention, however, that a factory for the manufac- ture of articles produced from flax straw would be a good investment here, where so much straw is wasted, the flax seed only being utilized by our linseed oil mills, which consume five hundred bushels per day.

A factory for the manufacture of baskets, tubs, buckets, and the var- jous articles of wooden and willow ware, would, no doubt, be a suc- cessful venture. There is no better site for the establishment of a large boot and shoe factory than Des Moines. Several houses here are engaged in the business of hides, pelts and furs, and we have a first-class tannery, which could, by enlarging its capacity, prepare all the leather necessary. A factory for the production of hats, caps, furs and gloves could be operated here where there is great demand for all such goods. Furniture of all kinds should be more extensive- ly manufactured, there being black walnut and other varieties of woods necessary for such purposes, found in this vicinity.

Other wants in the line of manufactures may be briefly stated as

- follows: Establishments for the manufacture of stoves, shelf hard- ware, druggists' niaterials, sewing machines; alsp cotton mills and woolen mills.

BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.

In the wholesale interests of our city, nearly every line of trade is represented by houses which justify us in speaking of them in the highest terms of praise, but healthful rivalry promotes growth, and there is room for at least another house in many branches of business, especially dry goods, carpets and oil cloths, clothing, boots and shoes, hats, caps and furs, china, glass and queensware, stoves and heavy hardware. Des Moines wants these and other factories, and is anx- ious to have these excellent opportunities utilized, when the beneficial. results are so apparent, which we hope the capitalists of the country may soon realize.

SUBURBAN TOWNS.

NORTH DES MOINES.

This is a surburban town containing a population of ;about three hundred and fifty, and adjoins the city on the north, as the name in- dicates.It extends a mile and a half east and west, and half a mile north from the limits of the city, and is a popular place of residence. The situation is elevated, and the surface, which is diversified with beautiful groves of native trees, is gently undulating, affording ele- gant residence sites. Several residences were built there last year, and a number more will probably be erected during 182. North Des Moines was incorporated in 1880, and has its own Mayor and town council.

UNIVERSITY PLACE.

This beautiful suburban place was surveyed and platted less than one year ago, but its; growth and development has been surplising. It is the seat of Drake University, and many handsome residences. have been built, while many more are sure to be erected during the coming season. It is situated in the northwestern part of the city, and is one of the most beautiful and healthful portions, and destined soon to be populated with the better classes of our citizens. The street railway is being extended in that direction,! and is expected to reach the place during the coming summer. The history of this prosperous undertaking is as follows: Early in 1881, a number of enterprising citizens determined to secure for this metropolis, another first class institution of learning, and to secure to it a good beginning in endowment, a company was organized, which purchased several contiguous tracts of land, lying on both sides of Cottage Grove Avenue, the most frequented of the approaches

to the business por-

BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.

tion of the city .! A part of these lands lie within the corporate limits, and a part just without the limits of the city. They are high, well drained, and mostly well set with magnificent forest trees. Broad and regular streets have been laid out, some of which have been graded, and the sidewalk has been extended to the University 1 campus. Besides an eight acre campus, a park of about eighteen acres, and some large lots, there are over four hundred residence lots, that invite, and by their beauty, location, and the enterprise of their jmanagement, warrant, at no distant day a population which would of itself, make a fair sized town.

GREENWOOD PARK ..

Was incorporated in 1881, adjoins the city on the west, and is the most beautiful of our suburban towns. It contains some of the most elegant residences in this part of the country, and Greenwood Avenue the finest drive in the city, extends throughout its entire length from east to west. It is very popular as a place of residence, and many of our leading business men prefer a residence there to the more crowded portions of the city. Most of the houses have telephone communication with the business portion of Des Moines; sidewalk is laid throughout the entire length of Greenwood Avenue, and it is anticipated that a street railway will be laid through Green- wood Park to Brown's Park, and the Iowa State Fair grounds, which lies immediately west of Greenwood Park.

SEVASTOPOL.

This is a village of about five hundred inhabitants, adjoining the , city on the southeast, and the principal industry here is the mining of coal. Four mines are located within the corporate limits of this town, but the principal offices of these companies are located in the city of Des Moines, and for all practical purposes belong to the city. The town supports a variety store, a blacksmith shop, a meat market and various mechanical trades. An extensive business in market garden- ing is carried on here, the product being sold 'in Des Moines. It is probable that the area of coal fields now being operated upon, and the conveniences for transportation, will stimulate the inhabitants to extensive improvements during the coming season.

CHESTERFIELD.

Among the many evidences of the substantial growth, the material advancement and progress of Des Moines in her numerous manufac

BUSHNELL'S DES MOINES DIRECTORY.

turing interests, none speaks more plainly and to the purpose than does the late movement of a few of our enterprising citizens in, the purchase of the beautiful grounds just outside the south eastern lim- its of the city, and the laying out of the same, in convenient lots for residences, with appropriate streets and alleys. The many heavy manufacturing establishments in that locality already built and in operation, and others to be completed in the vicinity in the near fur ture, revealed the fact to the founders of this suburban town, that the many hundreds of operatives, necessarily employed now, and the additional hundreds to be employed in these establishments of wealth. and industry, must be provided with suitable homes, at no great dis- tance from their places of labor!

Hence, the purchase of the grounds and laying out the new town which they propose to call 'by the name, of Chesterfield. "Sev- eral new houses are already completed, and the foundations for others are scattered over the addition

The demand for lots indicate that Chesterfield will soon be a very important suburb of Des Moines.

The proprietors of the town will at once proceed to build houses by ; the dozen, and are making ready to build a hundred and probably two hundred this year. These houses will be a great convenience to the workingmen in the' factories who have now so far to go to find places to live or board.

STATE OF IOWA

SITUATION AND EXTENT.

Iowa is situated near the geographical center of the United States, and embraces an area of 55,045 square miles, of 35,228,800 acres of fine, rich farming land unsurpassed in fertility. The two great rivers of North America -- the Mississippi and Missouri-form the east and west boundaries. The castern boundary is washed by the Missisippi river, a distance of 305 miles, and the western boundary, from the southwest corner to the mouth of the Big Sioux, by the Missouri river, a distance 364 miles, making a total of 729 miles. Its width, north and south, is about 200 miles, and its average length, east and west, a little over 300. There are ninety-nine counties in the State and it is the fourteenth in size in the Union.

SURFACE AND DRAINAGE.

The surface is gently undulating prairie, drained by numerous rivers and smaller; streams. Thousands of small streams traverse every portion, forming a system of drainage that nature could scarce- ly have improved upon. In the northern counties there are many small but beautiful lakes, containing a bountiful supply of fish of several delicious varieties. The surface is free from the accumula- tion of stagnant water, while good and pure water from wells is eas- ily obtained everywhere, and in many places living springs abound.

CLIMATE.

The climate of Iowa cannot be called in question, as it is most de- lightful, healthful and invigorating. The United States census placed the State in the front rank in this respect. The pure running water, with an absence of swamps and stagnant sloughs, renders the atmosphere salubrious at all seasons. Malarious diseases are unfre- quent, and that scourge of some of the older settled States -- fever and agye-is seldom known. Pulmonary complaints only' exist when brought here by the sufferers.

SOIL, AND PRODUCTION ..

The soil of Iowa has become justly famous for its fertility, and it may well be doubted whether there is an equal area of the earth's surface that contains proportionately so little untillable land, or whose soil has so high a degree of average fertility. About ninety-five per cent of the surface is tillable landi, One very remarkable property of the soil is, that it will withstand very wet as well as very dry seasons,

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BUSHNELL'S DES

MOINES DIRECTORY. 61

and the crops suffer less than in any other section of the country. No year is there a failure, but usually a great uniformity in the harvests, which gives almost a positive annual assurance to farming. The soil in this respect, as well as In its depth and richness, is wonderful; nor is its fertility easily exhausted, It is said that this State alone is capable of a cultivation that would yield harvests amply sufficient to feed 40,000,000 of people. Iowa presents attractions for the farmer which cannot be surpassed by any portion of the United States, in her undulating prairies, interspersed with open groves of timber, and . watered by streams pure and transparent, hills of moderate height and gentle slope, Corn is always a "sure crop, yielding from forty- ' five to seventy-five bushels' per acre. Oats are also a sure crop And yield largely. Wheat generally does well in all parts of the State. Flax has been raised with great success. All kinds of root 'crops do well and yield enormously Hardy\ fruits are raised successfully. i Good water is abundant every where on the prairies, and is found at an average of about twenty feet from the surface. STOCK-RAISING

Is an important, lucrative and growing business in Iowa, and with. the facilities how presented to our farmers for reaching market, is yielding golden returns. There is always a demand, and generally at remunerative prices, for all the stock a farmer can raise. The fine berds of cattle, sheep and swine exhibited at our annual State and county, fairs attest that Iowa will soon rank foremost among the stock- raising States of the Union. The fertile prairies covered with the most nutritious grasses, and watered with clear and never-failing streams, afford a range of pasturage unsurpassed if excellence or ex- tent The natural prairie grass is plentiful and a never-failing crop. : ' Tame grass and clover thrive welt, and both are now largely culti- vated, thus giving to cattle a later range than is possible on prairie grass.| Seldom, if ever, are cattle troubled by any form of disease. This can be attributed in a measurelto pure air and an abundant sup- ply of good water !! bratich of farming

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Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1882-3, Part 5

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: