Highland Park College was organized by a group of businessmen in 1889. The cornerstone was laid in the fall of 1889 and the college opened in September 1890. At the time this picture was taken, attendance at the college averaged about 2,000 students.…
The first Iowa State Fair held in Fairfield, Iowa Oct. 25-27, 1854. The fair moved between various cities before settling in Des Moines in 1879. Fairs were held in West Des Moines in an area known as Brown's Park until 1886, when the General…
The cornerstone of the Capitol Building was laid on November 23, 1871 and construction was completed in 1886. Unfortunately, there was no money left in the budget to finish the decorative painting of the interior of the building. In 1904 a fire broke…
This building on 4th Street was constructed in 1912, and cost $150,000 to build. It is the current home of the Iowa School for the Blind. The earlier YMCA building, finished in 1889 and demolished in 1924, is on the far left of the image. The…
The Grant Club was the largest men's club in Iowa as well as the best known and most politically influential. The club's origins were Republican and the club is named after President Grant. Many visiting statesmen have given addresses at the Grant…
This house on Polk Blvd. was the home of W. L. Drake. Mr. Drake was the second vice president of the Texas Oil Producers Company. The house is still standing.
This is a view from the Fleming Building facing southeast. The intersection pictured is 5th and Court. To the right is the Polk County Courthouse. The building with the Standard Life Insurance Co. sign is the Youhe building. Visible buildings listed…
The cornerstone of the Capitol Building was laid on November 23, 1871. The building was completed in 1886. Unfortunately, there was no money left in the budget to finish the decorative painting of the interior of the building. In 1904 a fire broke…
This view from the Fleming Building faces northeast toward Locust Street. The Fleming Building was built in 1909 and still stands on 6th Avenue. The building with the tower is the Observatory Building, which was one of the tallest buildings in the…
