Des Moines

Des Moines is the capital of Iowa, situated at the junction of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers in the central part of the state. It originated as an army garrison outpost positioned to monitor indigenous Sac and Fox tribal territories. Surrounding agricultural plains of the Corn Belt provided grains that sustained the early settlement.

Captain James Allen established Fort Des Moines in 1843 at the river confluence. The military post opened to private development when troops vacated the reservation in the late 1840s. A legislative vote transferred the state capital from Iowa City to Des Moines in 1857, prompting construction of a permanent government hall. Coal mining flourished throughout the late 19th century as commercial shafts tapped underground fuel seams. The municipality adopted a commission administrative structure during the 1900s, establishing a model called the Des Moines Plan.

Financial underwriting and agricultural biotechnology expanded alongside rail networks handling grain shipments across the Midwest. Principal Financial Group, based in the city since its founding in the 1870s, administers commercial pension portfolios, mutual funds, and group life insurance. Meredith Corporation established nationwide printing operations in the 1900s, launching the agricultural journal Successful Farming before publishing the homecraft periodical Better Homes and Gardens. Bridgestone Americas manufactures heavy pneumatic tractor tires and off-road treads under the Firestone agricultural brand. Corteva produces hybridized corn seed varieties and crop protection formulas under the Pioneer agricultural trade label.

The Iowa State Capitol features a central dome gilded with real gold leaf and flanked by four smaller corner spires. The Des Moines Art Center occupies interconnected gallery wings designed by architects Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier. Salisbury House, built in the 1920s by cosmetics entrepreneur Carl Weeks, reflects English Tudor manor architecture. The World Food Prize Hall of Laureates occupies the restored 1900s Beaux-Arts public library building along the riverfront. Drake University stages the annual Drake Relays collegiate track and field athletic festival.