An Airplane Surprise »
By the late 1950s, airplanes were a fairly common sight over Des Moines, but not quite like this.

Automobile Industry in Des Moines »
From the late 1800s through the 1930s Des Moines had a vibrant automotive industry.

Des Moines Baseball »
Early Des Moines teams and names, the first nite baseball game
and more!

Beggars’ Night in Des Moines »
Newcomers to the Des Moines area are often surprised to find that local children go out trick-or-treating on October 30, not on Halloween night, October 31, as most of the country does. How did this tradition get started?

First Railroad in Des Moines »
On August 29, 1866, the Valley railroad entered Des Moines. Find out when the first train arrived..

Iowa Caucuses »
Prior to 1972 the Iowa caucuses were not the presidential testing ground they are today.

Rock Island Train Wreck over Four Mile Creek »
The worst train wreck in central Iowa history occurred on August 29, 1877 at 2:30 AM on the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad.

Sixth Avenue Bridge Collapse, 1965 »
Recent discussions of the country's failing infrastructure might lead some long-time Des Moines residents to remember April 17, 1965, the day the Sixth Avenue bridge over the Des Moines River collapsed.

State Capitol Fire of 1904 »
On January 4, 1904 the Capitol Building caught fire. According to an article in the Des Moines Register and Leader the House Legislative Chamber and adjacent rooms were gutted by the fire.

Streetcars, Trolleys, Curbliners, and Buses in Des Moines »
The new D-Line downtown shuttle begun by DART (Des Moines Area Regional Transit) in May 2008 is just the latest chapter in the history of public transportation in Des Moines.

Tinker v. Des Moines: Student Rights »
In 1965, five students at public schools in Des Moines wore black armbands to school to protest the war in Vietnam. They were subsequently suspended from school...

Wacky Weather »
It's hot, it's cold, it snows, it freezes, and sometimes it floods!