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

Iowa Women of World War I Memorial

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 18, 2023

1. Iowa Women of World War I Memorial Marker

Inscription.

This marker is a tribute to all Iowa women who served in the Armed Forces and with the Red Cross and YMCA during World War I.

In May 1921, Iowa honored ten nurses who died in service during World War I by planting ten white birch trees to memorialize these soldiers in white. Marion Crandell of Cedar Rapids and Davenport -- recognized as the first American woman to die in active service during the war -- was honored, along with Elsie May Hatch of Edgewood, Kathleen Kennebeck of Carroll and Dorothy Koellner of Fort Madison. Newspapers also reported Mary Weiman, Lorraine Lawson, Maud Holt, Marie Beeman, Mary Mahoney and Ramona Bates as honorees.

With the original trees lost to time, the memorial was revived in 2018 with the planting of ten white oak trees placed equally to the north and south of the World War II Memorial Plaza.

Erected by Iowa World War I Centennial Committee, U.S. World War Centennial Commission, Branstad fowa History Fund and fowa American Legion Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 2018.

Location. 41° 35.532′ N,

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93° 36.005′ W. Marker is in Des Moines, Iowa, in Polk County. It is in East Village. It is on East 13th Street north of East Walnut Avenue, on the right when traveling north. To locate the marker, take the paved walkway east from East 13th Street. The marker is at ground level to the north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1305 E Walnut St, Des Moines IA 50319, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Replica of the Statue of Liberty (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land (about 600 feet away); Korean War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Combat Wounded Veterans (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Reflection of Hope (approx. 0.2 miles away);

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S-36 Submarine Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); William Boyd Allison (approx. ¼ mile away); War of the Rebellion Monument (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Moines.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 12 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on December 9, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?