Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1886, Part 3

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1886 > Part 3

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

As a place of residence with all the comforts and conveniencies which make a home pleasant. and attractive or for business, wholesale or retail, manufacturing or otherwise, Des Moines,, with its social, educational and 1 ..

DAS

MOINES CITY |DIRECTORY.

religious advantages, its healthful location, beautiful scenery, pure water, transportation facilities, cheap motive power for manufacturing purposes, and all those advantages which combine to make home a attractive or. business prosperous and remunerativo, presents a most inviting field to the capitalist, manufacturer; mechanic, or to those seeking new and pleasing location for a home, Des Moines is situated in a remarkably picturesque locality, and the view from the top of the new Capitol is beautiful beyond description, with hill and dale, river and forest, interspersed at intervals. with farm houses and villages, lending an indescribable charm to the land- scape ...

Among the several cities of Iowa riyaling each other in rapid growth and solidity, Des Moines now claims, indisputable pre eminence. This; proud claim, however warmly contested heretofore

by other localities, is certainly based upon facts that may well challenge careful attention | from the traveler. Rarely, indeed, can be record possession of position and surroundings, by a city site, of, natural advantages and attractions, ex- celling or equalling those so richly bestowed upon our city. -

EARLY HISTORY.

The first survey of the town -was made |July 8, 1846, and included that portion bounded by the Des Moines River, Eighth, Locust and Elm streets, now known as the original town of Fort Des Moines., On the 22d. of September, 1851, the citizens voted to have it incorporated as a town, l' and articles of incorporation were adopted October Sth, of the same year. At the first election, which was held October 20, 1851, a charter was adopted, under which the town continued until 1853, when the Fourth General Assembly by special act, provided for a new corporation. In 1854 Des Moines was designated by act of the Legislature as the capital of the State and in 1857, an act was, passed to incorporate as a city. In this year, also, a new State House having been built by some of the enterprising citizens and leased to the State at a nominal rent, the archives of the State were removed from Iowa City to the new capital, In 1860 the Legislature enacted a general, incorporation law and provided for the abandonment of their present charters by those cities which desired to come under its provisions, and as the result of an election upon the ques- ton held in .May, 1863. the city sbandoned its charter, and became incor- porated under the general law. The boundaries have been enlarged and many additions have been made from time to time until the city not in- cludes a territory of four miles in length east and west by two miles north and south, embracing the township of Des Moines on the west side and Lee on the east side of the Des Moines River, and containing a popula- tion to day of about +0, 000,

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY!

POPULATION AND GROWTH.

It might be well to note the steady advance 'in the growth of Des Moines, showing that the founders, when they fixed upon this location, designed by nature for the site of a great city, must have looked into the future, and caught a glimpse of the coming greatness of the country, while they recognized the importance of a location commanding the high- ways of the continent.

Since the census of 1880, the city of Des Moines has been known as the metropolis of Iowa, and to-day it is larger by many thousands than any other city in the State. The growth of Des Moines has been steady and rapid, as the following figures demonstrate, showing the steady advance of our city from a struggling village to its present metropolitan proportions, forming an interesting feature in a statistical review. . In 1846 the town contained 127 inhabitants; 'in 1850, 502; 1855, 2,278; 1860, 3,965; 1865, 5,722; 1870, 12,035; 1875, 15,782; 1880, 22,696; in June,

1885, 35,500, and to-day we claim, including the adjoining suburban addi- tions; a population of 40,000, and we doubt not the next United States- census will show our population to be at least 75,000. Thus the growth has been very satisfactory, while business blocks and residences have sprung up on every Hand as if by magic, and it is doubtful if any city of the same population in the Union can present such an array of figures as those denoting the growth of Des Moines.

The progress made during the year 1885, is a matter of pride to our citizens. New factories and business houses were established in pour mid'st, and trade in all departments was very prosperous ... Numerous elegant and commodious buidings were, erected, for. business or residence, and thousands of stranger's located in our city. The array of facts and figures. relative to the progress of Des Moines, is astonishing, and our people scarcely realize the wondrous advance we are making toward the fore, most rank among the cities of the Union .; The feeling of pride will be shared by our citizens who have labored to make the city what it is, and who have advertised to the world our superior advantages, which have attracted the attention of the entire country, giving us a reputation for energy and business activity, and making Des Moines the theme of com ment almost everywhere.

Our , city is to-day the greatest railroad center, and we believe, is destined to become the greatest commercial and manufacturing city west of Chicago. The orders received by our manufacturers and wholesale merchants last year exceeded their capacity to meet the demand, and there is urgent need of largely increased facilities for trade, and present indica

DES MOINES'

CITY DIRECTORY

tions warrant us in saying that more industries will be added to the busi ness interests of the city, and our trade and commerce will be more widely extended during 1886. In proportion to the growth and prosperity in business circles, are the improvements in the residence portion of the city. Schools and colleges are enlarging, and in all departments of the city's lite there is a steadily increasing development.

Des Moines is populated by as energetic, wide awake, enterprising and thriving people as exist on the face of the globe. The city is remark ably healthy, having an invigorating atmosphere, which is one of the inducements to strangers to locate here for a permanent home. With its 1 beautiful scenery, fine business blocks and handsome residences, Des Moines is becoming the most beautiful. as it is one of the most; healthful cities in the West. | Many are now looking to this city as their future business location and' permanent home, as it presents not only com- mercial advantages, but a most desirable "place of residence, having cal- tired and refined society and excellent moral and educational advantages. Our central location and our unrivaled railroad system, have contributed 17 largely to our growth and prosperity. Inquiries are often received from different portions of the country by the secretary of our Board of Trade in regard to the advantages for manufacturing and various branches of busi- ness, and to the attractions of the city, as a home. [ The growth of the city has been rapid since the advent and opening of railroads, which converge here from every part of the State, making this the convenient market for -a territory hundreds of miles in extent. It is plain to be seen that our, mailroads sustain a very important relation in an industrial way to our peo- ple, and contributo largely to the general prosperity.

I One of the encouraging features in the growth of Des Moines during lie past year has been the accession of men of capital, who, acquiring a competency, have removed from other cities and towns to make their Homes here, bringing a great deal of capital to be invested, which will stimulate manufacturing and other enterprises. In the matter, ot wholesale- ing and manufacturing the growth has been marked, and the significance, ofthe figures cannot, fail to attract the attention of the outside world to the advantages and solid character of our city as a commercial center. The steady, rapid growth in the volume of trade, the growing reliability of the commercial character of the business men of the city, as compared with many other places -- all attest the solidity and guarantee our future pros- perity, and we congratulate the enterprising people of Des Moines on the remarkable evidence of vigor the city has shown in the past ten years, and also on the still more flattering prospect for the future!

28.

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

IMPROVEMENTS. AND GENERAL PROSPERITY.

Public improvements.

$ 580,505

City improvements.

217,963

Residence. . .

1,237,251

Business houses and factories

719,965

Suburban additions

395,525

Total improvements $3,101,209

The improvements in the city have been so great during the past few years, that some of the business men themselves scarcely comprehend the aggregate. For the past five years, they make a fine showing and are as follows: 1880, |$1,844,039; 1881, 83, 250,000; 1882, '82,862,765; 1883, : 83,860,572; 1884, 83,502,416; and in 1885 the city has developed its material interests to a degree that must be most gratifying to all her citi- zens. Business blocks and residences have sprung up on every hand as

if by magic. The suburbs of a year ago have become more closely allied with the central portion of the city, while the business parts have become more metropolitan.

The progress made during the past year has been very satisfactory .. The Improvements which have been made are extensive, and the business transactions very large. The records of the year show an era of great prosperity. The amount of the improvements and the business of the past year will doubtless.prove a surprise to many of the citizens. In place of such a decrease, the total this year is almost as much as that of the year before. Architects and builders say that, taking into account the great decrease in the price of all building material, and the reduction in ; the price of labor, these improvements in 1885 | must be as large in extent as those of 1884, It is an indisputable fact that, in all departments of busi- ness, there has been a steadily increasing development, due to an increase of facilities, and new and improved forms of procedure, which are being introduced to the convenience and assistance of mercantile operations. The wonderful advances which have been so characteristic of our city are attributable to the energy and enterprise of the people. In no section is there a greater clement of industry than here manifested., Des Moines has no rival in Iowa in location and natural advantages: But Nature, . lavishly as she may endow a location for a city, cannot make a city. It : takes men of energy and enterprise, which Des Moines has, to do that.

The city is growing in wealth and importance, and many strangers are coming within her borders daily. The business |portion is rapidly solidifying, and on every hand is heard the constant music of the hammer and trowel, and rumors of numerous enterprises in the way of public build- ings and factories are current in business circles. Everywhere trade is active and pushing., The streets are crowded with the products of com'

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

merce and of our prairies .; The footways are overflowing with energetic,! pushing people, who everywhere seem full of life and stir. Situated on the great lines of railway spanning the continent, one feels allied to the ardor and enthusiasm which flow along these great arteries of commerce. In proportion to the growth and prosperity in business circles, is the improve- ment 'in the residence portion of the city. Many imposing and elegant residences were built in 1885, while those of a smaller and less expensive, class can be counted by hundreds, and with the extensive network of rail- roads centering in our city, together with our natural resources, the advan- tages for the growth and prosperity of Des Moines are almost unlimited. :

It is to be doubted if any city of the same population in the Union can [ present such an array of figures as those denoting the business and growth - of Des Moines during 1885 .... The business of the city has grown so rapidly during the past few years that some of the business men themselves scarcely appreciate its aggregate.

The stranger visiting our city is surprised at the evidences of prosperity surrounding him here. New buildings are going up on all sides in both the business and residence parts of the city. " Old Houses are giving way to those of the first class -- fine blocks taking the place of the mixed medley. of store houses, the creation of earlier times and good in their day, and dwellings fast filling the unoccupied places.

There are reasons aside fromn its beautiful and healthy location, and its natural advantages of position on-

the through railway routes, and in a central part of the great Mississippi Valley, why Des Moines should sopsteadily have worked its way up from one of the smaller towns of Iowa to the metropolitan'city of the State.

isi .Villages do not thus spring into cities merely from beauty of location, and amid the rivalry of many con- testing points. No young city can make a record like that of Des Moines, of solid and rapid progress in bricks and morfar, and this being merely a continuation of past progress, without something equally solid on which to base its prosperity. Sharp business men, in secking change from old to new fields, are not apt to be fascinated by mere beauty of local- ity, nor to invest their dollars where the interest may be only in pleasant surroundings, with no prospect of the city's becoming a commercial center. Many of the improvements this year have been in the outer |portion or new residence parts of the city, so that in the progress of their erection the work has not been seen by the general public. Very few of the people of our city realize the great number of houses built here during the past year, from the fact that few have explored all portions of our corporate limits ..

We seek to give in brief space, and in readable shape, such informa- tion in regard to the condition of trade, commerce and manufactures as

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

· may prove of interest and profit to the reader. We shall speak of the city as it is, of its advantages and claims in a commercial point of view, its possession of unequalled facilities of transportation, it's exhaustless supply of cheap coal and water power, and its present condition and immediate prospects. The statistics and all other data here given have been verified with much care, and can be relied upon.

The street railway, electric light, telephone and water companies have all made extensive improvements in order to meet the demands of the rapidly growing city. A fine number of good, solid business blocks have been added, showing most fully the confidence held in the future of , the city by capitalists. Almost everywhere and in every department are evi- dences of vigor and growth, which betokens, a most healthy city in every commercial sense. All this has been done during a season of general dull- ness everywhere, and which has had its effects, of course, on the business, parts of this city. It is safe to predict that, with general prosperity next year, there will be a large increase over the building of this season !!

There is no location presenting greater advantages for manufacturing and wholesale business, and no city has improved so rapidly in this direc- tion, as well as in transportation facilities. All parts of the city have been prosperons during the last few months, and we learn from our archi- tects and contractors and builders that the prospect is good for the erection of new factories, business blocks and residences in 1886, so that the indi- cations for the year to come are most encouraging.

TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.

The prosperity and development of a city is largely dependent upon its facilities for transportation, and to our railroads is due more than to any other single agency the present prosperity of Des Moines. The attrac- tions which our city presents to enterprise, capital and skilled labor, with all her natural elements of productive wealth, have been developed to a great extent by her extensive system of railroads. August 29, 1866, the first; train entered this city over the Des Moines Valley road, now the Keokuk & Des Moines branch of the C., R. I. & P. R. R. But to-day Des Moines has fourteeen roads, while several others are in contempla- tion, and this advance in her railroad interests indicates the confidence which capitalists entertain in regard to the future of our city. These lines are developing some of the richest agricultural regions of the State, and gather into Des Moines an immense and growing traffic. The facilities this system gives to wholesale interests, manufacturing, coal mining, lumber, stock and grain shipments, cannot now be fully estimated, . ( it) is to be taken for granted that our citizens appreciate the great benefits

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

dorived from our railroads, as well as the fact that they have been indis- pensible agencies in the development of our city. The principal lines of : road in the State, which are the great national highways across the conti- nent, nearly all reach Des Moines, by main or connecting lines, and are among the best equipped in the country as regards both road bed's and rolling stock .. ;

Des Moines has for years been the railroad center for the Northwest and the doorway through which the western and eastern travelers pass in traversing the continent. In fact, so numerous are her roads that traverse all points of the compasss that it may be said that she is ribbed with steel. plus the business man can see at a glance that at this point he would enjoy every advantage that accrues from an unexcelled transportation, which gives him the great West for a market and places the markets of 1

the east at his door.

The question of cheaper transportation is now engrossing the minds of our citizens, and the people throughout the State, and we expect from the agitation of the question, better rates. A largely increased volume of traffic, and the construction of new lines into our city from every direction, produces competition, which in our opinion, is the most successful agenky in adjusting the differences which arise, and in securing lower and equit: able bases of rates.

What is most desired just at present by our wholesale merchants and manufacturers, is a little better rates, which we have reason to, believe they will soon receive, and which will enable them to compete more success- fully with Chicago and other cities. Situated as we are, between the com- mercial centers of the east, and the markets of the great Northwest, we are brought into direct competition, and it is not to be wondered at that we should be looked upon with jealousy, as a rising commercial center, by those cities which realize that ere long the trade they now have may be diverted from them to Des Moines! when we secure such rates as will en- able | our merchants and manufacturers to handle the goods at the same prices. Everything is most encouraging that Des Moines will maintain her reputation as the best trading point west of Chicago!

RAILROADS OF DES MOINES.

What may be said of one applies to all the fourteen Lines of road cen- tering here, that they have done much to aid in developing our city, and in building up our business and manufacturing interests.

CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND AND PACIFIC.

This road entered Des Moines in September, 1867, and is one of the great trunk lines extending across Iowa, and connecting at Council Bluffs

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY ..

with the Union Pacific. The growth of business and commercial interests in the west has made this road to rank among the first in the country. Their business during the past year shows an increase which has been ad- vantageous not only to Des Moines but to the entire State! They have made many improvements in their road bed, and in the extension of their, road in various branches through the State. The road is equipped with all those essentials which pertain to first-class accommodations, and the management gives evidence of the highest ability .. The officers are, R. R. Cable, Chicago, general manager; A. Kimball, Chicago, general superin- tendent; II. F. Royce, Davenport, assistant general superindendent; E. St. John, Chicago, general passenger agent; W. M. Sage, Chicago,, gen- eral freight agent; John Givin, Des Moines, superintendent Iowa division; W. K. Lucas, Des Moines, local freight and ticket agent.

KEOKUK AND DES MOINES.

This is one of the important north and south lines of the State, and was the first road built to Des Moines, entering the city in'August, 1866, being then known as the Des Moines Valley road. It is now one of the principal branches of the C., R. I. & P. R. R., has been put in the best condition, and is a road of much importance to Des Moines.

DES MOINES, INDIANOLA AND MISSOURI.

This is a branch of the Rock Island; extending south from Des Moines, and is an important feeder to that road., It is probable that this line will be extended southward at no distant day, as important towns in northern Missouri are looking to a connection with Des Moines via this route.

DES MOINES, WINTERSET AND SOUTHWESTERN. -

This is also a branch of the C., R. I.' & P. R. R., and active measures are now in progress for the extension of this road southward to a connec- tion with the railway system of Missouri. Its business during the, past year has been great, for the extent of the line, and its advantage to Des Moines is highly appreciated by our citizens.

CHICAGO, BURLINGTON AND QUINCY

This was the first road which crossed the Mississippi river at Burling- ton, and is one of the great trunk lines, of Iowa, as well as one of the wealthiest corporations of the west, and to-day it is unexcelled by any railroad in the world for general excellence, quantity and quality of equip- ment, and everything necessary for the comfort and The line is a popular one and will always be a competing road

convenience of its patrons. .

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

with any and all lines entering Des Moines, giving us direct communica- tion with St. Louis as well as Chicago. The, officers are as follows; C. B. Perkins, Burlington, president; T. J. Potter, Chicago, general manager; Perceval Lowell, Chicago, general passenger agent; E. P .; Ripley, Chicago, general freight agent; Alf. Wingate, general agent, Des Moines.

DES MOINES, CHARITON AND KANSAS CITY.

This is a branch of the C .. B. & Q. R. Rt and extends from Des - Moines via Chariton to St. Joseph. and Kansas City. " It is the shortest and most direct route from Des Moines to Kansas City. , The line is well equipped and quick time made. Sleepers are attached to trains on this line, and run through.

CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN.

1. Des Moines is fortunate in this addition to her railway facilities, and this road is an active and powerful competitor for eastern and western bound passenger and freight business. It was the first of the three great trunk lines to extend its road across the State, and to connect with the' Union Pacific at Council Bluffs. It has contributed also to the prosperity of our city, giving our merchants the advantage of another competing eastern route. It is noted for the speed and comfort which it secures to its patrons, is under able and energetic management, and is constantly extending its field of operation. The officers are, Marvin Hughitt, Chicago, general manager; W. S. Stennett, Chicago, assistant general manager; C. C. Wheeler, Chicago, general superintendent; R. S. Hair, Chicago, general passenger agent; W. W. Chamberlain, general agent, Des Moines.

DE8 MOINES AND. FORT DODGE,

This road is an important factor in the railroad system of the State. From Des Moines, its southeastern terminus, it traverses the State in a harthwesterly direction to Ruthven, on the Iowa and Dakota division of Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, and it is expected that at an early day it will be extended from Ruthven, via Okoboji and Spirit Lakes, to the Minnesota State line. The Des Moines & Fort Dodge, in connec. tion with the Minneapolis & St. Paul, forms a direct through line between Des Moines, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the great lumber districts of the north, connecting with or crossing all of the important east and west trunk lines of the State and passing through the great corn and stock raising belt of the State, it gives its patrons the benefit of all the principal markets of the country for lumber, grain, and live stock. The famous Angus coal

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

fields are located on this line.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1886, Part 3

Author: Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: