Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1886, Part 9

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Publication date: 1886
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may engage in the manufacturing business herd by the remittance of the county tat for a number of years, as it may aid in bringing hundreds of families, and possibly millions of capital, that may not be secured otherwise. The advantages possessed by qur city, when presented properly to the inquirer are sure to be favorably received, hence the importance of sending informa- ion in every direction to those who may be contemplating a change of, odation. There are many industries that would proveremunerative which should be established here and we believe there is no better locality in the yest for manufactures of nearly every variety, than our city affords. Many are looking for new locations !: Where shall they halt? |They are looking

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for a city which has railroad communications with different portions of the country, cheap fuel or good water power, surrounded by a rich agricultural region, and in a healthy locality. This is the place, for the resources nature has placedphere without doubt will enable Des Moines to become the greatest manufacturing and commercial center, as it is now the best distributing point west of Chicago.

What Chicago and St. Louis are to-day in many branches of mann- facturing, Des Moines, backed by her transportation, commercial and financial facilities, and the natural resources of the country tributary, hay ere long, hope to rival. With all the advantages in favor of Des Moines it is undoubtedly the best point in the West to locate first-class industries, and those manufacturers who will investigate the matter now and establish themselves here soon, will be the ones-to profit most by the opportunities here offered.

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 chcouragement in their power for the establish ment of new enterprises here. ( Every citizon takes pleasure in noting the growth of our various manufactories, the astonishing 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 ofher industries, which are bound to follow. Nowhere in the West is there a better point for the receipt of the raw material, the pro- duction and distribution of manufactured goods, nowhere can a multitude of workmen more economically, support themselves and families, or more easily procure a Home. We have shown the great advantages, natural and acquired, which Des Moines possesses for a manufacturing center, and we desire to call the attention of capitalists and manufacturers to the needs of the city. Although Des Moines has a large number of factories in suc- cessful operation, engaged in the manufacture of a variety of products, yet there is room for many more industries in various. branches of manufac- ture. Des Moines wants more factories and wholesale business houses, and is anxious to have the excellent opportunities, utilized, when the benefi- cial results are so apparent. The manufacturer who locates in this city, is not dependent upon the present trade, favorable as: it may be, but is establishing an industry which must expand year by year as the country tributary grows in wealth and population.

As a matter of information to those who are contemplating a change of location, and who may desire to know just what industries would prove remunerative here, and which are dspecially needed, we desire to indicate a few of the factories and wholesale houses for which we believe there is good business opportunity in. Des Moines.

'DES MOINES [CITY DIRECTORY

In the wholesalelinterests of our city, nearly every line of trade is

represented by houses which justify ais in speaking of them in the highest terms of praise, but healthful rivalry promotes growth, and there is room. fur at least another house in many branches of business.| There is no bet- tel: location In the West than Des Moines for all kinds of manufacturing, and thy one who is looking for a new site will do well to visit our city before lucating. ROLLING MILLS AND NAIL WORKSE

1 Nothing would be more cordially welcomed by our railroad com- panies, jobbers, contractors and wholesale dealers than rolling mills and mail works. [ It is only a finestion of time when iron and steel works of mag i tude will be established here. With so vasth field for all kinds of iron and steel goods and machinery as the Northwest will soon present, works off this character frill be Imperative, and there is no doubt they would be profitable from the very start. " We are in possession of inforina- tion which leads us to believe that the coming season may witness the establishment of works for the manufacture of merchant irons nails and tacks. The large amounts of |scrap iron available here, must, under the existing conditions, be shipped to the mills and returned to this point, thus paying freight both ways,

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

,Des Moines is one of the best locations in the west for the manufac tureof all kinds of agricultural machinery. A first-class wagon and car- riage falitory would be a profitable investment, as our agricultural imple- ment deblers sell annually: thousands of wagons, which should be manu- factured herd! : The manufacture of various farm implements in operation here, can not supply one-fifth of the demand, and there is encouragement for one of more first-class factories. The best market is the home market; and Iowa being especially jan agricultural state, it follows that the demand

1 for this class of goods is very great; and the natural advantages for the prosecution of this branch of manufacturing, affords, strong inducements to capitalists and manufacturers to locate in our midst .. FURNITURE.

Furniture of all kinds should be more extensively manufactured, there's being black walnut, cherry, oak and other (varieties of wood. necessary for such purposes, found in this vicinity. The rapid develop- ment of the country tributary is constantly increasing the demand in this direl fion, and presents a promise of abundant reward to those who will. improve this opportunity.

DES MOINES

CITY. DIRECTORY.

GLASS WORKS.

The best quality of silicious sand for the manufacture of flint glass is found in the vicinity of Des Moines. No better location for glass factories can be found in the west with the necessary material at hand, the excellent home market and the facilities for shipmentgin every direction. The silicious sand in this vicinity has been tested, and proven capable of mak- ing glass of superior whiteness and brilliancy.

BOOTS AND SHOES.

There is nojadequate reason why the manufacture of boots and shoes should not be extensively engaged in at this point. In this, as in' many other lines of manufacture, we ship the raw material to the factory, and the manufactured product is returned to us, thus paying freight both ways, whereas the fact is that we are much nearer the great feeding grounds of .. the West from whence to obtain the material than are the eastern factories, and there is every certainty that boot and shoe factories located here" would step at once in a lucrative business.

TANNERIES.

Large quantities of hides and pelts are shipped east from this point; and this city should have become ore i this an important tanning center. In the rapid development of the Northwest, its hide business must vastly, increase; as well as the demand for the manufactured product, and the necessary bark is readily obtained.

STOCK YARDS.

One thing which we need, and we believe 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 forth to make IDes Moines a notable stock market. The yards should be large and conveniently arranged, and the butcher and the packer should be able to find here at all times'what their business requires.

CANNED GOODS. vegetables, especially sweet corn and 1 " The field is open and particularly inviting for a factory for canning all varieties of small fruits and! tomatoes. . The soil and climate are well adapted to the growth and per .. : fection of these products, and the market is general among all classes of people. The wholesale grocery interest in this city could' dispose of the entire product of a large factory, as they reach a large extent of country. tributary to Des Moines.

. KNITTING WORKS.

For manufacturers with limited capital there is a fine opening in the line of knitting works. , Heavy knitted goods are a great and growing,

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requirement, and there is no danger of overstocking the market, or of injurious competition. The product of such a factory could be disposed of by bur wholesale and retall dry goods houses, and the field is practically unlimited.

STOVE WORKS.

Extensive stove works appear to flourish in many of the large eastern cities. where it would sedm that competition is so great as to necessarily limit their patronage, and if located in Des Moines where the conditions are particularly favorable, they would be taxed to their utmost capacity. Heating apparatus may belranked among the first of family requirements, yet castern manufacturers have this field practically to themselves. In the matter of securing scrap and broken iron, stove works operated here would find great advantage over eastern towns, for up to the present time old iron is a drug and a nuisance throughout the Northwest.

PAPER MILLS.

All through the Northwest, building paper enters largely into the con- struction of houses. Tons upon tons are used in every city, town and yillate, and the materials for its manufacture produced in abundance throughout our state are wasted in vast quantities. A mill for its pro- duction, as well as that of wrapping and newspaper, if properly managed, could not fail to prove remunerative.' Our wholesale and retail merchants engaged in'all branches of business use tons of wrapping paper, while the 1 tradean newspaper, through our wholesale paper houses, and books and statichery is probably larger than in any city west of Chicago.

SYRUP AND SUGAR.

Sorghum is a crop which never fails in Iowa, and the production of syrup has been successfully carried on in some portions of the state, and a factory of this kind located Here would undoubtedly prove profitable.' Wherever a good syrup dan be made, sugar also can be produced, and the experiments made have demonstrated the fact that sugar of excellent quality can be produced from Sorghum canel, Sugar has been made in paying quantities from amber cane and from beets, both of which can be produced in abundance in this vicinity, where the soil and climate are so admirably adapted to their growth.

OTHER INDUSTRIES,

Which would prove profitable here are a factory for the manufacture of articles produced from flax straw which would be a good investment here, where so much straw is wasted. .. The flaxseed only being utilized by our linseed ofil mills, which consume hundred of bushels per day. "A factory

DES MOINES

CITY DIRECTORY.

for the production of hats, caps, fors and gloves could be operated here where there is great demand forfall such goods. The manufacture of baskets, tubs, buckets, and the various articles of wooden and willow. ware, would no doubt, be a successful venture. Establishments for the! manufacture' of shelf hardware, cutlery, druggists'. materials, sewing machines, also cotton goods and clothing would do well' here.

We might mention many branches of business and manufacture which would be successful if located in Des Moines, but enough has already been said to induce any one who is looking for a new site for business, to visit our city before locating elsewhere.

Any inquiries with reference to the business or manufacturing inter- ests, will[ receive! prompt attention By addressing the secretary of the Board of Trade.

SUBURBAN TOWNS. SEVASTOPOL.

This is a village of about five hundred inhabitants, adjoining the city où the southeast, being the oldest of our suburban towns, and the princi- pal industry here is the mining of coal. Four mines are located within the corporate limits, of this town, but the principal offices of these com- panies are 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 gardening is carried on here, the product being sold in Des Moines. -

NORTH DES MOINES.

This is a suburban town containing a population of about five hun- dred, and adjoins the city on the north, as the name indicates. It extends a mile and a half east and west, and half a mile north from the limits of the city, and ist 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 elegant residence sites. Many residences were built there last year, and a number more will be erected during 1886. The beautiful tract of land recently platted and placed in the market by the Polk County Homestead and Trust Company-who have improved and opened for the use of the public the beautiful Prospect Park- adjoins North Des Moines, and as a large number of these fine lots have been dis- posed of, and numerous elegant residences will be erected there the com ing spring, this will undoubtedly stimulate building and improvements In

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North Des Moines, A good class of citizens will also be drawn to this locality by the location of the University of Des Moines, which was made neaf Prospect Park last year. North Des Moines was incorporated in 1880

'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 ele- gant residences in this part of the country, and Greenwood Avenue, the finest drive in the city, extends | throughout its entire length from east to 1

west. It is very popular as a place of residence, many of our business mert preferring a residence there to the more crowded portions of the city, and most of the houses have telephone communication with the business portion of Des Moines:

This is also the location of Elmwood Park in which the State Fair has been held during the past six years.

UNIVERSITY PLACE.

This beautiful suburban place was surveyed and platted in 1881, and its growth and development has been surprising. It is the seat of Drake University, and many handsome residences have been built, while many : more are to be erected during the coming season. . It is situated in the northwestern part of the city, is one of the mest, beautiful and healthful. portion's, and is populated with the better classes of dur citizens, attracted ta the locality largely on account of the University and its advantages.". The street mailway is being extended in that direction, and is expected to; reach the place the coming summer. Broad and regular streets have been. ·laid out, some of which have been graded, and the sidewalk has bon extended to the University campus. Besides an eight acre campus, a park offabout eighteen acres, and some large lons, there are over four hun- dred residence lots for sale by the University. Land Company, which are ( high, well drained, and well set with magnificent forest trees, that invite, ! andiby their beauty, location, and the enterpifse of their management, have already secured a population which of itself makes a fair sized town. CHESTERFIELD

Is just outside the southeastern limits of the city, and is laid out in convenient lots for residences, with appropriate streets and alleys. The many heavy manufacturing establishments. in that locality already built. and in operation, revealed to the founders of this suburban town that the hundreds of operatives necessarily employed now, and the additional hun- dreds to be employed in these establishments of wealth and industry, must .be provided with suitable homes at no great distance from their places of labor. Hence the building of this new town, which has already become

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one of our most important suburbs. and several retail business houses.

Chesterfield "has its own postoffice

CAPITAL PARK.

This town adjoins East Des Moines on the north and was incorpor ated in 1884. It contains six hundred and forty acres, which have been , platted and placed upon the market, and already many desirable lots have - been; sold. and the extensive preparations for building here in the coming spring indicate that many fine dwellings will be erected herd during 1886. The C. & N. W. R. R., runs through this town and the company expects to establish a station here in the near future, The lots are higli, well drained and have a fine growth of native timber, and altogetlier it is one of the most desirable of our suburban towns, for residence, being nearer 'the business portion of the city than any of the others. ]

TOWNS OF POLK COUNTY. T

We have spoken fully of the city of Des Moines, which includes the townships of Des Moines and Lee, and also of the towns suburban to Des Moines. The article on the general interests of the county is given in the front part of the work, but we desire to speak briefly Here of the principal towns in the county. Some of these towns, in the course of time, by rea- son of their nearness to Des Moines, and the fact that-so many trains arrive and depart daily, will be considered suburban to Des Moines, and they are all pleasant and healthy places in which to/reside:

MITCHELLVILLE.

The town of Mitchellville is located in Beaver township, about fifteen miles east of Des Moines on the, C., R. In & P. R. R., and also on the K. & D. M. branch., It was laid out June 2, 1867, by Thomas Mitchell, and has at present a population of about one thousand. It is a bright, healthy : village, with some of the finest country in Iowa around it. . Goal is found here in abundance. Competition is lively in nearly all branches of trade It claims to have the best flouring mill in the State, having taken the pre- mium on flour at the State fair, in 1884.

The State Industrial School for Girls ist located Irere, and has now about one hundred inmates.

Mitchellville is connected with over one hundred towns by telephone, and supports a weekly paper called the Mitchellville Index. The town has good schools and churches, and the society is excellent, making it a pleasant place for residence/

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ALTOONA.

The town of Altoona was laid out in 1868 by H. G. Davis and J. B. Biasman, is partly in Beaver and partly in Delaware townships, and is situated on the C. , R. I. &. P. R. R., about ten miles east of Des Moines. The K. & D. branch also passes through the town. It has a population of mbout five hundred, land is a good shipping point for grain and coal. The principal industries of the place are the mining and shipping of coal and the manufacture of brick and tile, both of which are extensively pros- centod. Fileclay, as well as coal, is found here in abundance. The branches of retail trade usually found in country towns are well represent, ed in Altoona.

FOLK CITY.

Polla City was laid out November $ 1850, by George Beebe, and is located on the C. & N. W. R. R. about fifteen miles north of Des Moines. It was incorporated in 1875, and has now a population of 500. Good building stone, mineral paint, potters clay and abundance of coal and timber nip found in this locality !. Polk City has three churches, of the Congregational, Methodist and Christian denominations; it has also an ex- cel ent graded school and a good hotel, while the business interests are' represented by the following honses:' Two general stores, one drug store and grocery, one hardware, one harness maker, one blacksmith, two wagon shops and fwof meat markets. It has also a Houring mill and a tile fact by:

The scoret and benevolent societies are represented by Masons, Odd Fellows, United Workmen and the Grand Army of the Republic.

COMMERCE.

The town of Commerce was laid out April 22d, 1871, by A. J. and Ji A. Jack, long known as residents of Des Moines, is situated on the C., R. I: &. I. R. R., fifteen miles west of the city, and contains about two bun- drep inhabitants. Itis located on a hillside overlooking the Raccoon Ristryand the principal industry is the mining of coal. The town has a gof I school and church, and the business interests are represented by one gergeral store, one grocery, one drug store and one blacksmith. shop. There is also a grain elevator at this place, and several of the business men drewargely interested in stock dealing.

SHELDAHL

This town is located in the extreme northwestern portion of LincolnI - township on the line of the O. & N. W. R. R., and is partly in Polk and partly in Story county.| It has a population of meily five hundred, and is

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

a good point for the shipment of grain. It has a good school, two hotels, and a number of retail business houses. Two firms are interested in the sale of agricultural implements, and there are several grain and stock dealers.

Other smaller towns of Polk county are: Runnells, on the W., St. L. & P. R. R., Hastie, on the same railroad, Ashawa, on the D. M. & Ft. D., Clive, on the D. M. N. W., Grimes and Kelsey, on the same road Crocker and Ankeny, on the C. & N. W., Berwick, Bondurant and San tiago, on the Diagonal. There are in the county also the towns of Ottawa, Peoria City and Saylorville.

To those desirous of a new home, or location for business, in a pleas- ant, healthful country village, we would recommend any of the towns of - our county.

UNIVERSITY OF DES MOINES,

PROSPECT PARK,

DES MOINES,

IOWA

Advantages of Location.

The UNIVERSITY, on West Ninth Street, Prospect Park, has quiet and beautiful surroundings. The Campus is adjacent to the park proper, which contains over sixty acres, a place of green troes, cool shade. running water, and singing birds, -the most beautiful, picturesque and popfilar resort in the vicinity of Des Moines. It enjoys all the advantages of city and country combined.

Courses of Instruction,

It is the aim and purpose of the University to afford educational facilities of the highest order, and of euch varied character as to meet the wants of all classes of students. 1 COLLEGIATE COURSES .- These are three in number: Classical, Philosophical, and, Scientific. PREPARATORY COURSES .- It is the purpose of these courses to give a thorough preparation enter the Freshman class either in this I'niversity or any other college.

In addition to the above the Institution offers Normal, Business, and English courses. There are always classes in the common English studies in charge of qualified and experienced teachers. Masic, Painting, Drawing, and Elocution taught by competent instructors.

Board and Rooms.

Good board will be furnished in North Hall at the uniform price of $1.75 per week. In the same band- ing rooms are provided; for teachers and young lady students. The pleasant home life of the school is one of its valuable features .: A high social and moral tone pervades the institution.

For circulars containing Courses of Instruction, Terms of Tuition, and all information, address,

A. R. BUTTON, OR A, B. PRICE,

North Ninth Street, - DES MOINES, IOWA.

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY

WALLACE FAIT DES MOINES .10.

DRAKE UNIVERSITY.

s Unifersity hne achieved unprecedented vigor.' popularity and success during Its five years of existencel 'Its pros -. prollment is over four hundred. Thoroughness of finetractfort diversity of courses; beauty and healthfulness of on; moral and intelligent community; and the low price of tuition and Hoatd are among the attractive features of chool. Already there are in the different departments more than thirty earnest, experienced and scholarly instruct It is expected that additional departments and instructors will soon be added.

Informatica address as follows: Literary Department, L |8. Bottenfeld, Secretary; Law Department, A. J. Deah; Medical Department, Dr. I. W. Martin, Dean ; Bible Department, D.|R. Dungan, Principal; Commerce" Etment H. D. McAneney, Principal; Musical Department, M. E. Wright, Director; Art Department, Mrs. N. P. Teacher. On business matters, address,

G. T. CARPENTER, CHANCELLOR.

niversity Place,

DES MOINES, IOWA

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY

.CALLANAN COLLEGE, DES MOINES, IOWA.

DES MOINES CITY DIRECTORY.

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CALLANANCOLLEGE

FACULTY OF INSTRUCTORS.

g. R. POMEROY, D. D]. President, Metapliysics and Didactice, 41

L.S. GERBERICH, Musical Director, . (Graduate: |Le psic Conservatory of Music,) Piano, Violin, Theory and Musical History.

SUSAN R. GREENR. A. B. Natural Science and Mathematics.

HATTIE COUCH, Piano and Organ.

ANNIE D. MERRILL, A. B. Ancient Languages.

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Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa, City Directory 1886, Part 9

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

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