USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1886 > Part 5
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ware, retaj
21
93
-
Brokers.
35
Hats, Caps and Furs
13
Business Colleges
Hat Repairere
37 Hides, Pelts and TAllow 8
3
Hotels.
26
335
551 House Movers
5
15
Ice Cream & Oysters Parlors.
8
32
Ice Companies.
2
19
Insurance Agencies.
33
45
Insurance, ,Companies (home)
10 137
Cigar Boxes (Mafrs).
1 9
135 Insurance 48 Companies (home) life
6
36
Civil Engineers
7
-
21 39 1
145 1826
5 Insurance Agencies . (foreign 1lfe).
9
21
Intelligence Offices
3
6 14,
Contractors and Builders. Cooperage
3
Crackers (Mnfrs).
18
98
Dental Supplies. Dentista: $
12
Laundries 12
5 Lawyers *149
Detective Agencies, 2
.
2D
Chitna, Glass and Queensware, rejail.l.
9
40 5
Insurance Companies light- ging, tornado and hail .. .. Insurance Agencies (foreign fire companies 86). .
12|
43
Coal Companies and Dealers Coal Screens (Mofrs).
Commission Merchants
20 3
21
42 .845 185
2 1
200 13 Knitting Factories; 2
11 98
-
Bleaching and Pressing Boarding Houses!
33
113
42 Furniture, reta
13
Book Binders.
28 Galvanized Irom Cornice 4
25
Gas Companiel
1)
17
39 78 325
42 .23
Broom (MInfrs)
3
Butter and Egg:
Carpets and Oilcloths.
21
Horse Collars ( Mntrs)
17 17
Carpet Weavers
Carriages & Wagons (Mnfrs). China, Glass and Queensware, wholesale ...
1
Cigar (Mnfrs).
Cigars and Tobacco
28
3
19
Confectionery, wholesale:
Jewelers, wholesale. 2
Jewelers and. retail ..
Watchmakers,
9
Barber Shops
27.
95 Flour, wholesale!
23 -
Anctioneers
Auction and Commission
11
Electrotyping
7.
7
Fish and Oysters.
: 7
Foundties and Machine Shops
(21
Fruits, wholesale.
12
2022910225725 2 2 5 2
150
Bridge Builders
Harness and Saddles. 16
97
13
21 Dry Goods, wholesale. ID
Artificial Limbs
50-100000000 9
Em-
Clothiers and Gents' Furnish. er's.
44
DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Em-
Houses. ployes
Houses. 19
107.
ware ..
3 25
Proprietary Medicines.
3
18
Lime, Hair and Cement.
8 :30 Railroads.
14
Liquors, wholesale.
5
21
Railroad Contractors
. 5
-
Lithographers
8
23
Real Estate Agents
77.
Livery Stables
15
43
Rendering Works
2 15
Loan Agencies 18
D.62
5 Roofers, ¿Slate, Tin and Iron. 15
3
1
Marble Works.
4
57 Sath, Doors and Blinds ..
3
1 25
- Meat Markets.
35
91 Scale |Manufactories. 1 :13
Mercantile Agencies
4
8
Second Hand Goods
4 13 25. 55 1
1 Manfrs and wholesale ...
3
67
Sewing Machine Agencies
6
32
Mill Furnishers.
3
Mining Brokers.
3
Show Cases: (MInfrs)
1
Music Dealers
5
19 Sidewalks, Stone and Concrete Soap Factories.
2
18 3 14
- Newspaper Folders, manfrs .. Newspapers and Publications Oat Meal Mills.
1
13
Solicitors of Patents.
1 1
Oculists and Aurists
6
15
Stencils, Seals and Stamps
4
5
Old Books.
0 Stenographers .
1,4 3
Opera Houses
3
13 Stone (Artificial and Quarfied) Street Railway Companies 7
2
1
7 96 65 7
----
Paints (Mnfrs). . 1
23 Street Sprinklers
1
17
Paper, wholesale
5
19 Telephone Companies
3
Pawn Brokers. 2
5 Trunk (Mufrs)
1
Pension Agents
Underakers
6 3
Photographers
12
33 Veterinary Surgeons
7
i Physicians and Surgeons
92
Vinegar and Pickle Works.
1 9
23
Piano, Tuners
4
Watl Paper, retail :
Picture Frames
2
7
Washing Machines (Mnfrs)
2
Planing Mills
F
75
Water Companies.
1
1
.ters
11
67
Wood Engraving
2
27 4
Pork Packers
335
Woolen Mills. 1
55
Potteries 3
75
.
Millinery | and Fancy Goods, retail:
14
93
Shirt Factories
3
20 'Shoemakers
23
22 65 5 25
Music Teachers 23
31
.297
Spice Mills and Baking Powder Stair Builders ...
3
6:
Starch Factories
1
96
Omnibus Lines.
1
17 Stereotypers.
6
1.
Paper Rags and Old Metals. .. 5 Patent Offices. 3
9 Transfer Companies
5
23 .7 191 5
Pension (U. S. Offices)
:1
7 United State Commissioners.
19
1
:
11
'Pianos and Organs
19 Wall paper, wholesale.
Plasterers.
Plows (Mnfrs). 3
27 Wind Mills. Wood
Dealers.
9
5 15 19 0
Plumbers, Gas and Steam Fit. -
1
1
2
57 Pumps and Lightning Rods 9
13 675
Locksmiths
--
Restaurants |
65
108 37 11
Merchant | Tailors.
19
92
Seedsmen
Millinery & Fancy Goods,
.
Sewer Pipe and Drain Tile Works
6 63
.
1
15
Oils, wholesale.
Ornamental Wood Work 62
2
Painters and Paper Hangers. .
159 Telegraph Companies
5
38
Lumber Yards
10
63 Rubber Goods, wholesale .....
Em; ployes
Leather and Saddlery Hard-
Printers, Book and Jbb.
Linseed Oil Mills.
DES MOINES JOBBERS OND MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION.
There is in this city a Jobbers and Manufacturers' Association for mutual interest, self-protection and the development of the business vre sources of this city. The following persons are the officers: James Watt, president; S. J. Craig, vice-president; L. Harbach, treasurer; W. W. Ains-
78 While Bronze Works
23,
15 Ticket Brokers
46 1
DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY. i.
worth, secretary and manager. Directors,
Bently, C. C. Prouty, S. H. Huss, J. F. Rollins, H. B. Hedge. The organization embraces over fitty; of the prominent business men of Des Moines.
DES MOINES BOARD OF TRADE.
: The Board has been an active agency in all important affairs' of our city, and through its enterprise has been the means of securing to Des Moines many benefits! The association is composed of two hundred of bur leading public spirited citizens, who have the best interests of the city at heart, and who will use every effort to advance the growth and pros- perity of Iowa metropolis. | The best evidence of the usefulness of this Board of Trade is in the fact that it is next to our city press, the principal cause of the increased spirit of enterprise among our citizens, and it affords us great pleasure to say that from all points we have the evidence that Des Moines has made great advances in population, manufacturing whole- sale trade, pubhe and private improvements, during the past four years, which have never been equalled in any like period. Officers: George C. Baker, president, J. H. Windsor, 1st vice-president, S. A. Robertson, 2nd vice-president; Simon 'Casady, treasurer; : J. P. Bushnell, secretary .. Directers: George H. Maish) W. W., Witmer, J. A. Ankeney, C. Youngerman, T. S. Wright, S. B. Suttle.
"'REAL ESTATE. a
City property is in good demand, especially for business or manufactur- ing purposes, which can be obtained at reasonable rates and in desirable locations. Some of our real estate dealers are offering special inducements. to parties desiring to establish factories, in some cases donating the grounds for this purpose, while others are offering land in most desirable localities, af very low rates. There are many inviting sites adjacent to our different railroads. The inducements offered by our city, in giving a remittance off taxes for five years, to factories employing a sufficient number of operatives, is worthy of special note .!
With all the visible signs of prosperity, property is held at no specu. lative value. The capitalist, or manufacturer of mechanic coming here, will find property held at a healthy valuation, neither so low as to indicate an uncertain faith in the city's real prosperity or progress, nor so high that it may not continue increasing just as the city grows.
The first consideration is that of cheap land upon which to rear the buildings. In this Des Moines is fortunate, for she has an abundance of land that can be had at reasonable figures, soil that is free from quicksand, and well adapted to foundation building. to investors to acquire property here now.
There are peculiar inducements It will increase in value very
46
DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.
rapidly and can now be had for prices low enough to afford profit. Money expended in lots in the Lowell of Iowa will return, ere long, with good profit.
There are numberless inviting sites for residences, surrounded by native groves, and overlooking the adjacent country: and the business por. tion of the city, and residence lots, though in good demand, can be ob- taine at reasonable rates, as well as lots for business or manufacturing purposes.
The question of taxation is one which always enters into the consider- ation of location. Our taxes are as low as any other first-class city in the west, being on real estate, on the cash valuation, 2.2:per cent. Our muni. cipal affairs are managed with prudence, and our citizens encourage a judicious and economical management in expenditures, so far as is con. sistent with the best interests of a rapidly growing and prosperous city. It is no idle boast to say that no city in the northwest can offer more or better inducements to investment seekers, than Des Moines, as her popu- lation is destined to double within, the next few years, and the outlying property will be rapidly brought within the business centre.
The year 1885 has been marked by considerable activity in real estate; many sales have been made and better prices paid than during any pre- vious year in the history of the city. Nor can this be attributed to a mere temporal "boom," but to the natural result of our largely increasing por ulation and consequent demand for dwelling and business property. Those persons who imagine that real estate is inflated in value, are as badly mistaken now as they have been in the past; for, with some few ex- ceptions, property is held and offered at very reasonable prices, and it'is an absolute fact that in no city in the west can the poor man find it so easy to secure a home of his own as here !. We are; positive, in the belief) that the close of the present year will witness a large increase, both in the number and value of the transfers of real estate within the city
There are five first-class loan and building associations in Des Moines, all of which have rendered valuable assistance in ,building up our city. The object of these organizations is to aid any of their stockholders in their efforts to secure a home, by lending money to them at a very low rate of interest. to be paid in weekly, monthly or yearly installments. The money is loaned only to stockholders. There are hundreds in Des Moines to-day dwelling in their own homes, who, but for these institutions, might not be thus fortunate.
COAL.
While the coal fields of Iowa cover an area of about 16,000 square miles, that portion of the territory about fifty miles wide, extending along
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DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.
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the Des Moines River on both sides, from a short distance above Ft. Dodgeto Keokuk in the southeastern corner of the State, and comprising about 6,000 square miles, is said to be the best and most accessible. The coal beds of Iowa are separated into what is known as Upper, Middle and Lower measures, the latter producing the best coal in greater abundance tlie veins being trom four to seven feet in thickness. The coal fields in in Iowa have a general "dip" or incline to the southwest, and to the south and west of the territory mentioned, the lower measure is so far below the surface as to be profitably mined only by deep shafting, Des Moines is smated in the midst of the best coal producing area in Iowa, and mining constitutes one of its principal 'industries. It is said that the presence of coal in this vicinity was first noticed by the soldiers who built and occu- Med the fort, and that the blacksmith shops in connection with the garri- son, were supplied with coal from the out croppings along the river, but nothing like systematic mining was carried on until about 1865, when com- panies commenced prospecting, with a view to engaging in the business of . mining on a large scale. Now there are twenty-five companies, whose . mines are nearly all located in or adjacent to the city, doing business in Des Moines at the present time. The capital invested in these minesi. amounts to about a million dollars, and they give employment to upwards qt two thousand men: Besides the home consumption, large quantities are shipped abroad. The coal is the best quality of bituminous, and can' be obtained at from $1.50 to $2.50 per ton at retail while a grade of fine. coal suitable for manufacturing purposes can be bought much cheaper.
WATER POWER.
The first step for Des Moines to take toward becoming an important manufacturing town is to provide cheap water power for the operation of machinery.
Sections 1236 to 1240 of the Code of 1873 (chapter 79, laws of 1872), tonfer the most ample power upon water power improvement companies. they have the same power as railroad companies to condemn land for the light of way for canals, water-ways, buildings, and other necessary uses. Des Moines holds the scepter for the best water power in the State. The placid, Des Moines : flows through the middle of the city, giving her an ast and west side, while the rapid Coon whirls around a part of her. jestern and southern borders and empties into the Des Moines, thus furnishing the very best of water power within a stone's throw of many of our railway depots. About twenty years ago, before Des Moines) was a city, Edwin Hall obtained by grant from the Legislature, convened at Howa City, and by license from the Commissioners of Polk county, the
48
DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY .:
franchise which gives the present water power on the Des Moines River within the limits of the city, a power which should to-day keep in motion manufacturing enterprises sufficient to give employment to many thousands, and profitable investment for unlimited capital. 1
A dam six hundred feet long having a fall of eight feet was built across the Des Moines River, giving a power sufficient to keep in motion large manufacturing establishments employing thousands of operatives, and to-day the only use made of this power is in the operation of a, flour. ing mill at the west end of the dam.
The east side : of the river having the same power is now idle, and presents a rare opportunity to locate manufacturing enterprises; and we; have here so many undeveloped resources. It is believed by our most competent engineers that by raising the dam one or two feet, a fall can be! secured that will give power to operate almiost unlimited machinery. This can be done under charter. It would be an easy thing for a \competent engineer to take the water from the dam down both banks of the river.) Intelligent men have estimated that the dam can be raised, all the neces; sary right of way secured, and the two water-ways constructed from the Idam fo the mouth of the Raccoon River for less than $40,000, capable of running all the machinery that requires power within reach, that would pay a reasonable. rent for the use of the water. A water power company. could ront the use of its water power to every such factory at from one-half to one-eighth of what steam power costs, to say nothing of the manufac ---- turers's original capital that is swallowed up in the purchase of engines; fuel, etc. While this is a feasible plan, and apparently the most practica; ble for securing the desired water power, we must not ignore the Raccoon River, which flows at a rapid rate, is soft water, and can readily be made of great utility ' in manufacturing. At a very small outlay either of these rivers could be so dammed as to furnish a sufficiency of power to operate. all the machinery of the city.
CLAYS.
1 The clays of this vicinity add no small value to the industries of our city, as evidenced by our extensive brick yards, and the buildings of out city, small and great, demonstrate their excellence and stability. Not only is clay for the manufacture of common brick abundant, but the finest quality of white or "Milwaukee" brick may be made in our vicinity. Fire clay abounds in connection with our coal deposits, as well as the best and most valuable of coal measure clays-potters' clay-which is found of a! superior quality, and the products of our extensive potteries find markets hundreds of miles away. We have the largest drain tile works in the
DES
MOINES CITY DIRECTORY
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tate, and their product is greatly appreciated by farmers in every direc -. ion, and this is also true of our artificial stone and sewerage pipe manu- ductories. Clays have been tested which proved unexpelled for the manu- Facture of mineral paints. It is a well-known geological fact that where gituminous coal exists in any quantity there is almost sure to be found in je upper strata, near the surface, excellent clay, suitable for the finer experiment las 1 jades of brick and terra cotta manufacture. Aktual own that all around our city, near the surface of the ground, there exists finexhaustible supply of this clay. Parties who have made a study of de ceramic arts for years, in the interest of terra cotta manufacture, and Have visited the leading establishments of Europe, where clay is manipu- Hated for manufacturing purposes, say that our claye seem peculiarly fitted for this work, and tests prove them of a quality equal to the European clays, in some localities imported to manufacture the finer grades of pressed brick, terra cotta and fancy pottery wares There is nol'article that can be manufactured in our city which will do more to beautify it, and at the same time yield a better profit for the capital, skill and energy expended, than the manufacture of the finer grades of brick, terra cotta pottery and the other ceramic arts; and there is no reason why the Des Moines of the future should not be as noted for its pressed brick as is Philadelphia and Baltimore.
SANDS.
An extensive deposit of silicious sand of excellent quality exists near Des Moines, which has been proven, by actual test, capable of making glass of superior whiteness and brilliancy, equal to that made from sand brought from other States .. The fact that the quality is unexcelled and the quantity inexhaustible should be sufficient inducement for the establish- ment of a large glass factory here, in the near future, which we believe vill be an accomplished fact before another year, from the correspondence re have had with parties contemplating a change of location. The sands ying in bars along our two rivers are extensively used in the manufac- ure of artificial stone, and for building purposes.
CHURCHES
The churches of Des Moines number forty-four, many of which are trong in members, wealth and influence, and are divided as follow: Nine Methodist, five Presbyterian, five Baptist, three Congregational, two episcopal, five Lutheran, three Catholic, two Christian, two Evangelical, wo Friends, two Jewish, one Unitarian, one United Brethren, one Latter Day Saints and one Disciples. Nearly all these churches have their own
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DES MOINES: CITY DIRECTORY.
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houses of worship, many of them being fine, commodions buildings of great architectural beauty, whose interior finish and furnishings are refined and elegant.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
This is an association whose efforts for good are known and appre ciated throughout the civilized world, and whose membership is numbered by hundreds of thousands.
In Des Moines there exists a flourishing branch of this organization, numbering between two and three hundred members, which is in efficient working order and is accomplishing much good. It has a library and free reading room well supplied with papen and magazines, and frequent social and literary entertainments are given. Their rooms are always open for young men to visit, and to spend thei evenings or leisure hours (during the day, and assistance of any kind that can be furnished is cheerfully done.
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
It is fortunate for: Des Moines that the controling minds in the public policy of the city have been in favor of liberal' measures for increasing and perfecting her educational facilities, which are a matter of pride and pleasure to our citizens, and
with our three colleges, our excellent system of public schools, our commercial, law, medical, music and art schools, it would seem that one might
obtain an education which would fit him for almost any department of business or professional life. Education is the corner stone upon which Iowa has built such a superstructure, as has made her school system the admiration of the world, and in no portion of the State are the educational advantages so varied and complete as in our - city. : There has been a special endeavor on the part of our citizens to imake the schools of Des Moines worthy the evident future of the city, and the success attained is a matter of gratification.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
There is probably no city in the west provided with a better or more. complete system of public schools, or with more ample provision for is generous support than Des Moines. The city is divided into two inde pendent districts, each having its own Board of Education, composed of men of broad fand liberal views, in pursuance of which they employ the best teachers at a liberal compensation, and as a result the public schools are conducted in a highly satisfactory manner. -
Nothing will sooner attract the attention of the visitor to our city the the commodions and elegant school buildings,-of which there are fifteen,. built with regard to architectural beauty, thus combining the ornament
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DES MOINES CITY
DIRECTORY!
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gh the useful. | There are one hundred and fourteen teachers employed, bi the number of children of school age is over ten thousand, of whom Trenty-five per cent are in our public schools. The School Boards and the tizens show a commendable spirit of zeal and liberality in the mainten- fe of our public schools. For several years kindergartens have been suc- assfully conducted in various parts of the city, and the system has grown `Mfavor until it has become securely established, and they are now taught several of our ward schools.
UNIVERSITY OF' DES MOINES.
This is the oldest of our colleges, having been established under the spices of the Baptist denomination as early as 1866, and is located near e new Prospect Park, where buildings suitable for the purposes of the ollege have been erected. "The curriculum of this school embraces a full ollegiate course; it aims to keep; pace with the scientific methods, of odern instruction; its corps of instructors is energetic and ambitious, and lly alive to the demands of the State and the age. The past year has been e most successful in its history, and the future of this college in its new cation is most encouraging.
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CALLANAN COLLEGE.
This institution owes its existence to the liberality of Mr. James Cal- 1. man, from whom it derives its name, and through whose generosity it , as founded in 1880. . It occupies central and beautiful, yet somewhat tired grounds, admirably adapted for the purpose, and commanding one the most beautiful views about Des Moines. The course of instruction restricted to young ladies, of whom there are over one hundred in at- ndance, and is designed to give all needed mental discipline and, the Iture adapted to produce well-rounded and symmetrical womanhood. ie school is thoroughly christian, but undenominationa
The college building on Pleasant street has been specially designed d arranged to secure every facility for convenient and varied educational brk, is heated throughout with steam and lighted by gas, and in its " uipment of furniture, apparatus, blackboards, and maps is amply and ' igantly furnished.
Several of the teachers reside in the building, and the whole is under e immediate supervision of the preceptress. The desire and aim of this nily home is to give to young ladies from abroad all the care and com. t that can be had at their own homes.
It is the purpose and aim of the management of the College to build a school in the central metropolis of the West, that for thoroughness
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DES MOINES CITY' DIRECTORY.
and breadth of culture, and for special advantages in those studies which directly tend to elevate and refine, shall not be surpassed by any similar - institution in the East. !
DRAKE UNIVERSITY. 1
This is the youngest of our colleges, and is under the auspices of the Christian denomination. It is located in a beautiful grove in the extreme northwestern portion of the city, the college building is a handsome struc- ture, and the college campus contains eight acres, on a slight knoll, beautifully diversified with magnificent forest trees. The plan of the insti- tution embraces literary, medical, law, business, theological, normal, at and musical courses of study.' This school is on an excellent financial basis, and has about two hundred and twenty-five students. Large and commodious buildings, cheap boarding, Home-like surroundings, . moral and Christian influences, active literary societies, railroad connections with all sections of the state and other states, court sessions of all grades legislative assemblies-all secure to the student of Drake University er cellent advantages.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
Besides our public schools, we have a number of private institutions of learning, which are largely attended, and possess excellent school buildings centrally located.
BUSINESS COLLEGES.
The two institutions here impart instruction in book-keeping, penman- ship, business arithmetic and'; law, telegraphy, stenography, and those branches which especially prepare young men and women for active busi- ness life. Theknowledge obtained in these schools is not only theoretical, bat practical as well, fitfing the student for the busy scenes of real life putting this knowledge to use as fast as it is acquired. Their graduates found in many of the business houses of the city, and throughout the : northwest, are the best endorsement of the good work they are doing for the young men and women of the land. Another school but recently opened. is devoted, exclusively to penmanship, which is taught in various styles from the plain, neat and rapid script to the most elaborate pen flour- ishing and drawing, and affords an excellent opportunity for the acquire. ment of the valuable accomplishment."
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