- The State Capitol of Iowa stands on a hill in Des Moines.
The capital and largest city of Iowa is Des Moines. It is located in the south-central part of the state, on the banks of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. The origin of the city's name is uncertain. It may have come from the French words de moyen, meaning “middle,” because the Des Moines River is midway between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. The name could also be a French version of the Indian name for the river, Moingona. Places of interestThe capital complex occupies an 80-acre (32-hectare) park on a hill. In the center is the golden-domed Capitol. The nearby State Historical Society of Iowa contains a library, museum, and state archives. The Civic Center, opened in 1979, is the home of the Des Moines Symphony and theater groups. Other museums include the Art Center and the Center of Science and Industry. The city's best-known educational institution is Drake University, founded in 1881. The Iowa State Fair Grounds are also in Des Moines. EconomySituated in the heart of the Corn Belt, Des Moines is surrounded by fertile farm land. Nevertheless, the city also has many factories. It is a center for the manufacture of tires, farm machinery, and tools. Publishing and insurance are other important industries. The state government is also a major employer. HistorySauk and Fox Indians lived in the Des Moines area before the arrival of white settlers. In 1843 Fort Des Moines was established near the junction of the Raccoon and the Des Moines rivers. A community grew around the fort after 1845, when the United States government opened the area for settlement. In 1857 a city charter was adopted. That same year the state capital was moved from Iowa City to Des Moines. The city grew rapidly between 1910 and 1920 because of the development of local coal deposits. In 1993 the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers overflowed their banks and flooded much of the city. Population (2000 census), 198,682. |