Featured Stories
Early Des Moines Bicycle History: High wheels, the safety bicycle boom, and beyond
Everyone in America were riding bicycles in 1896, and the people of Des Moines were no exception.
The University of Lawsonomy
The story of Alfred Lawson's utopian, non-profit university is one of the stranger episodes in the history of the Midwest.
The Flood of 1993
The "flood of the century" caused great damage to the city of Des Moines, and no one who lived through it was untouched.
Take a Tour
Old Downtown Des Moines
15 Locations ~ Curated by DMPL TeamExplore the history of downtown Des Moines, an area considered today's city center as much as it was in pioneering days.
About
Project Des Moines
A project by Des Moines Public LibraryProject Des Moines is a free website and app that explores the history of Des Moines. Discover information on people, places, and events in Des Moines history. Explore historical information about each site on the interactive GPS-enabled map along with images from archival collections and historical publications. This project was developed by Des Moines Public Library.
Read more About Us