Take a Self-Guided History Tour of Downtown DSM

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is full of historical landmarks, some better known than others. We put together this list to help you plan your self-guided history tour throughout the city and find several must-see things along the way.

Birthplace of Des Moines

Near MLK Jr. & Meredith Trails | 306-308 SW Water St., Des Moines
Even if you’ve been to Principal Park, you might not have noticed the tiny log cabin near the parking lot. This log cabin has great significance to the city of Des Moines, as well as the state of Iowa. Established in 1843 as the military outpost, Fort Des Moines No. 2, the Fort was the second of three military installations named Fort Des Moines. In 1846, the City was established in the area at the junction of the Racoon and Des Moines Rivers. The original fort buildings were destroyed, but the cabin seen in the parking lot at Principal Park was relocated from Washington County, Iowa to the current site in 1964 by the Polk County Historical Society. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
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Site of the Old Fort Des Moines

Southwest Water Street, South of West Martin Luther King Jr Parkway
Just a few hundred feet southeast from the Birthplace of Des Moines cabin is the site marker of Old Fort Des Moines. The historical marker was erected by the Abigail Adams Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the site was dedicated on June 14, 1908.
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Historic Center Street

Center Street Park
Once a cultural and business hub for the Black community in Downtown Des Moines (DSM), the historic Center Street neighborhood was displaced in the 1960s when Interstate 235 was constructed. From the early 1900s through the late 1960s, this area served the needs of the city’s Black residents, including affordable homes and apartments where Black community members raised their families and an array of Black-owned businesses. The historical marker sits near the main entrance to UnityPoint Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center and commemorates what was once the heart of the city’s Black community.
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Willkie House

900 17th Street, Des Moines
Established in 1917, the Willkie House hosted the War Recreation Board’s leisure program for Black Officers at Fort Des Moines. There was a need for a larger and more modern space and a new facility was constructed and opened on June 17, 1951, named Willkie House. The facility was named after Wendell Willkie, an American lawyer and statesmen that fought for equality and opportunity for all races. Today the Willkie House provides programming for youth ages five to 18, with the majority being from low-income families and families of color.
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Woodland Cemetery

2019 Woodland Ave, Des Moines
Woodland Cemetery is a pillar of Des Moines’ history and has served the community for over 175 years. The cemetery started as five and a half acres donated by local farmers and today it totals 65 acres. It is a final resting place for over 50,000 individuals, including World War I soldiers, five Civil War Generals, two Iowa Governors, 30 Mayors of Des Moines and many notable leaders and past citizens who helped build the city. Guided tours of Woodland Cemetery are available.
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Ronald Reagan in Des Moines

Corner of Fourth Street and Court Avenue
Many people don’t know that Ronald Reagan, movie star, Governor of California and former President of the United States, lived in Des Moines for about four years in the 1930s, working as a sports announcer for WHO radio. He lived in a house near where Hy-Vee Hall now stands in Downtown DSM. You can visit a bronze historical marker at the corner of Fourth Street and Court Avenue, which depicts a sculpted bronze likeness of Reagan and scenes of his life here in Des Moines.
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War Monuments

Iowa State Capitol Grounds
There is no shortage of monuments to view on a stroll around the Iowa State Capitol Complex. The Capitol Grounds feature around 50 monuments, many available to be viewed outside without a formal guide. A self-guided cell phone tour of Iowa State Capitol monuments and memorials is also available. You can view the self-guided tour printable pages here, scan the QR codes with your smart phone, then watch and listen to the video or audio clips that provide details about each monument.
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If your interest is piqued after completing this self-guided history tour in Downtown Des Moines, you’re going to want to check out the Architecture on the Move Walking Tours available from the Iowa Architectural Foundation. Four different tour routes are available, covering both contemporary and historic architecture. Each tour is unique and not scripted, guided by architects and historians, and includes information about architectural details, style, building elements, as well as interesting facts and historical knowledge of the buildings that make up the Downtown DSM cityscape.

 

If a self-guided bike tour is more your jam, you’ll love this list of Cool Things Along the Bike Trails in Downtown DSM. You might also be interested in learning more about the bridges of Downtown Des Moines as you dive into the history, architecture and intrigue of these six Downtown DSM bridges that connect the neighborhoods and areas of the city.

Find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation and additional information about trails and outdoor recreation. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.