Member posts and news on the DMHS Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/desmoineshistoricalsociety/

Please go the 'WHAT'S HAPPENING' & 'PROJECTS' pages for further information.
​
A BRIEF HISTORY OF DES MOINES, IOWA IS FARTHER DOWN ON THIS PAGE.

NEWS - Upcoming Events - Projects - Activities​

Further information about Events and Projects are on the 'WHAT'S HAPPENING' & 'PROJECTS' pages.
Occasionally events are changed, please check this page for any modifications.  Thank you.  

SEPTEMBER 16 & 17 and 23 & 24 (weekends), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - SHERMAN HILL TOUR.  The DMHS will have a table at the Mickle Center, 16th and Pleasant, during the times of the tour.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS (more details later) - 

Oct 14, 2017 (Sat.) - 1 p.m. at the Iowa Genealogical Society, 628 E. Grand.  Several authors of books about the history of Des Moines will talk about their books.  (Open to the public.)
Nov. 2, 2017 (Thurs.) - 6:30 p.m. - tour the Ft. DM III Museum on Army Post Road (DMHS members only, you may join online or at the event) *
Dec.  6, 2017 (Wed.) - 5:30 p.m. - Tour the Ruan Building downtown at 666 Grand and learn about the 100 year history of Bankers Trust. *

PLEASE JOIN WITH THE DMHS IN THESE IMPORTANT EFFORTS -

PROJECT 1843- Further information is on the Events page.  To make a contribution go to the 'Donate' button below.  If donations are made in multiples of $18.43 ($18.43, $36.86, $55.29, etc.) we will know the donation is for PROJECT 1843.  Please send an email if a different amount is given.  THANK YOU!

GEORGE MATTERN MONUMENT PROJECT- Further information is on the Events page. To make a contribution go to the 'Donate' button below.  If donations are made in multiples of $5.40 ($5.40, $10.80, $16.20, $21.60, $27.00, etc.) we will know the donation is for the George Mattern Monument.  Please send an email if a different amount is given.  THANK YOU!    
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Contact the DMHS

Des Moines Historical Society

     P.O. Box 8038

     Des Moines, IA  50301

EMAIL -
     info@desmoineshistoricalsociety.org

​FACEBOOK -  
     https://www.facebook.com/groups/

     desmoineshistoricalsociety/​

Our success depends on the generosity of those who share the belief that Des Moines history should be preserved. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, 

your contribution may be  tax deductible. 

The DMHS is a growing organization with many special tours, events and programs throughout the year. Join today!

The Des Moines (Iowa) Historical Society is a 501c3 organization with the mission to promote the preservation and study of the history and heritage of Des Moines, Iowa. 

WELCOME

JOIN TODAY

​Des Moines Historical Society
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WEBMASTER: Pat Meiners

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Member posts and news on the DMHS Facebook page.

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Des Moines History - 

The modern history of Des Moines can be traced to 1834, when John Dougherty, an Indian Agent at Fort Leavenworth, Ks, recommended a military post be established at the point where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers merge. Nine years later, May 1843, Captain James Allen and a company of dragoons from Fort Sanford (east of the city of Ottumwa) arrived on the site. Captain Allen proposed to name the garrison Fort Raccoon but was directed by the War Department to use the name Fort Des Moines. (and the residents of Des Moines are glad the War Department prevailed) 

The origin of the name 'Des Moines' is uncertain, but most historians agree the name initially referred to the river. Some people feel 'Des Moines' is derived from the Indian word 'moingona,' the meaning of which is unknown; but it has been applied to natives of the area. In the French language des moines literally translates to "of the monks," so others believe the name applies to the Trappist Monks (Moines de la Trappe) who lived in huts at the mouth of the Des Moines river. Early French voyagers in the 1700's referred to the river on maps as La Riviere des Moines. Another theory is that Des Moines was corrupted from the French de moyen ("middle") because of its location between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.  The consensus seems to be that Des Moines is a variation of Moingona, Moingonan, Moingoun, Mohingona, or Moningounas, as shown on early maps.