Downtown Des Moines in Polk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Birthplace of Des Moines

Polk County, Iowa

Photographed By Juris Bets, April 19, 2011

1. Birthplace of Des Moines Marker

Inscription.
Fort Des Moines No. 2
Established May 1843 — Evacuated March 1846

This cabin is a memorial to the military outpost, Fort Des Moines No. 2, occupied by Company I, First Regiment U. S. Dragoons and Company F First U. S. Infantry. The Fort was the second of three military installations named Fort Des Moines.

In 1846, the City was established near this site at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.

In time, all the original Fort buildings disappeared. This circa 1840's log cabin was moved from Washington County, Iowa to this site in 1964 by the Polk County Historical Society.

Erected 1964 by Polk County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1843.

Location. 41° 34.916′ N, 93° 37.005′ W. Marker is in Des Moines, Iowa, in Polk County. It is in Downtown Des Moines. Marker is at the intersection of SW 1st Street and West Martin Luther King Parkway, on the left when traveling north on SW 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306338 SW Water St, Des Moines IA 50309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Old Fort Des Moines (within shouting distance of this marker); Dragoon Trail Historical Site Marker No. 7

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Licensed Ferry (approx. half a mile away); The First Public Schoolhouse (approx. 0.7 miles away); Robert D. Ray Asian Garden (approx. ¾ mile away); Shattering Silence (approx. 0.8 miles away); Votes for Women (approx. 0.8 miles away); Japanese Bell of Peace and Friendship (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Moines.

More about this marker. Presently road closed for bridge construction but can be accessed by using SW 2nd Street and driving through parking the lot.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed By Benjamin M. Snyder, May 18, 2015

2. Birthplace of Des Moines Marker

Site of Old Fort Des Moines marker from 1908. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Benjamin M. Snyder, May 18, 2015

3. Site of Old Fort Des Moines marker from 1908.

This marker is just 200 feet SE from the cabin, next to the river. The Dragoon Trail Historical Site Marker #7 is facing north on this same marker.

Photographed By Benjamin M. Snyder, May 18, 2015

4. Site of Old Fort Des Moines marker from 1908.

Birthplace of Des Moines cabin and marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Juris Bets, April 19, 2011

5. Birthplace of Des Moines cabin and marker.

Birthplace of Des Moines image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Douglas C Squires

6. Birthplace of Des Moines

This is the result of a 3-image capture processed by Photomatix HDR software.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2011, by Juris Bets of Des Moines, Iowa. This page has been viewed 1,381 times since then and 84 times this year. Last updated on June 3, 2015, by Benjamin M. Snyder of Ankeny, Iowa. Photos: 1. submitted on April 21, 2011, by Juris Bets of Des Moines, Iowa. 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Benjamin M. Snyder of Ankeny, Iowa. 5. submitted on April 21, 2011, by Juris Bets of Des Moines, Iowa. 6. submitted on April 22, 2021, by Douglas C Squires of Plymouth, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.