THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
 
 
 
 
 
 
63 entries match your criteria.  

 
 

Historical Markers and War Memorials in Polk County

 
Clickable Map of Polk County, Iowa and Immediately Adjacent Jurisdictions image/svg+xml 2019-10-06 U.S. Census Bureau, Abe.suleiman; Lokal_Profil; HMdb.org; J.J.Prats/dc:title> https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Usa_counties_large.svg Polk County, IA (63) Boone County, IA (10) Dallas County, IA (13) Jasper County, IA (2) Madison County, IA (59) Marion County, IA (37) Story County, IA (19) Warren County, IA (24)  PolkCounty(63) Polk County (63)  BooneCounty(10) Boone County (10)  DallasCounty(13) Dallas County (13)  JasperCounty(2) Jasper County (2)  MadisonCounty(59) Madison County (59)  MarionCounty(37) Marion County (37)  StoryCounty(19) Story County (19)  WarrenCounty(24) Warren County (24)
Des Moines is the county seat for Polk County
Adjacent to Polk County, Iowa
Boone County (10)  ►
Dallas County (13)  ►
Jasper County (2)  ►
Madison County (59)  ►
Marion County (37)  ►
Story County (19)  ►
Warren County (24)  ►
 
Touch name above to highlight map location.
Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
1 ► Iowa, Polk County, Bondurant — Polk County Freedom Rock — Dedicated to the Veterans and Fallen Heroes of Iowa — Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II —
. . . — — Map (db m292700) WM
2 ► Iowa, Polk County, Clive — Prairie Engine — Marc Moulton 2010 — Stainless Steel —
Prairie Engine recalls the early days of the railroad and its importance in the development of Clive. The sculpture conveys the power and movement of a by-gone era and historically connects Clive's past to its present. The deep brown . . . — — Map (db m236237) HM
3 ► Iowa, Polk County, Clive — Walnut Creek, Clive — June 25, 2015 —
On this day, Walnut Creek rose out of its banks reaching a record crest of 13.41 feet (flood stage is 12 feet). The flooding followed two storms that moved through portions of Iowa sending several river systems above flood stage and 5 inches of rain . . . — — Map (db m236235) HM
4 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Bloomfield/Allen — Owen's Covered Bridge —
The Owen's Covered Bridge was built around 1875 to span the North River, a tributary of the Des Moines River. This Howe Truss style bridge originally sat about 2.5 miles northeast of Carlisle where it formed part of a road from Martins Ferry to . . . — — Map (db m236539) HM
5 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Capitol East — Site of Camp Burnside 1862 —
A rendezvous for valiant volunteers from Iowa to the Union Army in the Civil War, 1861 – 1865 23rd Inf. — 39th Inf. — — Map (db m236129) HM
6 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — A Monumental Journey — Kerry James Marshall (American, born 1955) — Manganese Ironspot brick, steel, granite —
Initiated by the Iowa National Bar Association, the public art project A Monumental Journey honors the courage and legacy of African-American lawyers who founded the National Bar Association (NBA) in Des Moines in 1925. Black American attorneys . . . — — Map (db m256536) HM
7 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Birthplace of Des Moines — Polk County, Iowa —
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 . . . — — Map (db m84100) HM
8 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Civil Rights Victory — Katz Drug Store / July 7, 1948 — Historic Site —
At this site where Katz Drug Store once stood, on July 7, 1948, at 3:45 p.m., Edna Griffin, her infant daughter Phyllis, John Bibbs, and Leonard Hudson entered the store and ordered ice cream at the lunch counter. The manager refused to serve . . . — — Map (db m292945) HM
Paid Advertisement
9 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Des Moines Bruins — 1947-1958 —
For a time in 1955, the Bruins were managed by Pepper Martin. Pepper Martin was a colorful ball player who was called the "Wild Horse of the Osage". He played for the "Gashouse Gang", as the 1930's St. Louis Cardinals were called. He was the hero of . . . — — Map (db m256343) HM
10 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Des Moines Champions — 1906 —
In 1906, the Des Moines team renamed themselves the Champions, in honor of their 1905 crown. The club lived up to the difficulties inherent with such a choice by winning the pennant with ease. The team sported a 97-50, .660 record, a full 23 games . . . — — Map (db m256437) HM
11 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Des Moines Demons — 1925-1937; 1959-1961 —
The Demons were the league champions in both 1925 and 1926. In 1926 they just beat out the Oklahoma City Indians who claimed that other league teams "threw " their games with the Demons. League President Mike Sexton eventually cleared all parties. . . . — — Map (db m256414) HM
12 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Dragoon Trail Historical Site Marker #13 —
Here Passed the Dragoon Trail Blazed in 1835 by the First U.S. Dragoons under Colonel Stephen W. Kearny — — Map (db m260915) HM
13 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Hawkeye Insurance Co. — Built 1868 — By Frederick Hubbell & Ebeneezer Ingersoll —
National Register of Historic Places Oldest Commercial Building in Des Moines — — Map (db m294135) HM
14 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Homestead Building — Iowa Historic Site — 1893 —
This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places — — Map (db m256543) HM
15 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Iowa Cubs — 1981-Present —
The Oaks became the Cubs in 1981. With the same name and logo, the Cubs are affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. The Chicago Cubs came about their name in 1902. Chicago newspapers gave them that nickname because of all the young players on the team. . . . — — Map (db m256374) HM
16 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Iowa Oaks — 1969-1981 —
Cy Young Award and MVP winner Vida Blue pitched for the Oaks in 1970 and still owns the season strikeout record here at 165. With the Oakland A's he played on three World Series winning teams, 1972-74. Vida Blue went on to be named a six time . . . — — Map (db m256382) HM
17 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Ronald W. Reagan —
Ronald W. Reagan was the 40th president of the United States. He held the office from January 1981 to January 1989. Born February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois, Reagan grew up in nearby Dixon. Upon graduation from Eureka College in 1932, friends . . . — — Map (db m295046) HM
Paid Advertisement
18 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Scottish Rite Consistory Building — 1926 – 1927 — Iowa Historic Site —
This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places — — Map (db m256340) HM
19 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — Site of Old Fort Des Moines —
Established in 1843 Evacuated in 1846 Erected by Abigail Adams Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Assisted by park commissioners and early settlers of Des Moines Dedicated June 14, 1908 — — Map (db m236114) HM
20 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — St Paul's Cathedral and Garden —
Project Partners St. Paul's is grateful to many partners for their support of the Cathedral Rain Garden and Labyrinth. Special thank-yous go to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, Trees Forever, . . . — — Map (db m289429) HM
21 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — The First Public Schoolhouse —
This tablet marks the spot where the first public schoolhouse stood Erected 1858 — — Map (db m236012) HM
22 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — 'The Gift' from Rotary To The Children of the World — July 2019 —
Blank Children's Hospital stands here today because of the generosity of A.H. and Anna Blank. The Blanks were steadfast in their philanthropic mission to build a children's hospital in memory of their son, Raymond Blank. At the time, Iowa had the . . . — — Map (db m237713) HM
23 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — 53 — The Historic Center Street Neighborhood —
People lived and worked here. They shopped and prayed here. They gathered here to celebrate life. Welcome to what was Iowa's most vibrant Black community — the historic Center Street neighborhood, stretching from 15th Street to Keosauqua Way. . . . — — Map (db m235901) HM
24 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — The Iowa Commission for the Blind Building —
The Iowa Commission for the Blind Building has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior for the work of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, director of the commission from 1959-1978, who made . . . — — Map (db m256459) HM
25 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Downtown — The Savery Hotel —
The Savery Hotel has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior - 1919 — — Map (db m256464) HM
26 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Drake — Paint It Black —
The iconic Painted Street tradition has been associated with the Drake Relays since 1975. The event gathers hundreds of students and involves student organizations painting themed squares and ends with a festive paint fight. In the fall of 2018, . . . — — Map (db m193850) HM
Paid Advertisement
27 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — 平和と友情の鐘 / Bell of Peace and Friendship —
平和と友情の鐘 山梨県知事天野久 . . . — — Map (db m236196) HM
28 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — A Reflection of Hope —
A monument established by the citizens of Iowa to honor Iowans who served during the Vietnam War. These absent friends will never be forgotten Abler, James L • Abolins, Janis • Abrahamson, Gary L • Adams, Glenn A • Adams, Steven H • Adams, . . . — — Map (db m41878) WM
29 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Cambodia — Robert D. Ray Asian Garden —
A dark era befell Cambodia when the Khmer Rouge, under the dictator Pol Pot, ruled the country from 1975 to 1979. Pol Pot's genocidal regime led to the deaths of nearly 2 million people out of a population of just 7 million. So many people were . . . — — Map (db m237953) HM
30 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Combat Wounded Veterans —
Military Order of the Purple Heart 1782 1932 Dedicated to all men and women wounded in all our wars My stone is red for the blood they shed. The medal I bear is my Country's way to show they care. If I could be seen by . . . — — Map (db m42145) WM
31 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land —
This reproduction of the Liberty Bell was presented to the people of Iowa by direction of The Honorable John W. Snyder Secretary of the Treasury As the inspirational symbol of the United States Savings Bonds Independence Drive from May 16 to . . . — — Map (db m229146) HM
32 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Governor Robert D. Ray, 1928-2018 — Governor of Iowa 1969-1983 — Robert D. Ray Asian Garden —
Governor Robert D. Ray left a lasting mark on Iowa history during his four terms as governor. He is recognized statewide, nationally and globally for the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees and for promoting cultural awareness and . . . — — Map (db m257704) HM
33 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Grand Army of the Republic Sundial —
To honor our fathers The Grand Army of the Republic [Dedicated] September 1938 — — Map (db m254151) WM
34 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Hmong — Robert D. Ray Asian Garden —
The Hmong are an ethnic group that migrated from China to Laos in the 18th century. They settled on the mountaintops of Laos for hundreds of years, relying on farming. In 1947, Laos King Si Sa Vang Vong declared that all Hmong were Lao citizens. . . . — — Map (db m257692) HM
35 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Iowa Revolutionary War Monument —
Front Dedicated to soldiers and patriots of the American Revolution who are buried in IowaDecember 28, 1846 Iowa Our liberties we prize our rights we will maintainReverse George Perkins, N. and S. Carolina, Lee County William . . . — — Map (db m48277) HM
Paid Advertisement
36 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Iowa Veterans Memorial —
To honor those who have served that we may live in freedom — — Map (db m254157) WM
37 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Iowa Women of World War I Memorial —
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 . . . — — Map (db m262523) HM
38 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Japanese Bell of Peace and Friendship — 平和と友情の鐘 —
In 1959, the Prefecture of Yamanashi, Japan suffered heavy damage from two typhoons, resulting in significant loss of human life, farm animals, homes and crops. An Iowan, stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Tokyo at that time, wanted to help. . . . — — Map (db m236175) HM
39 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Korean War — 1950 - 1953 —
Side 1 Early on the quiet Sunday morning of June 25, 1950 - June 24th in Washington - the North Korean Peoples Army attacked South Korea. They crossed the 38th parallel with 135,000 soldiers and 22 Russian built tanks. This action touched . . . — — Map (db m48281) HM
40 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Laos — Robert D. Ray Asian Garden —
Fleeing Laos in the late 1970s meant fleeing bombs, chaos and terrible uncertainty. Laos was a dangerous place. Communists controlled the region, dictating to Laotian citizens precisely what they could or could not do. The first Laotian . . . — — Map (db m257598) HM
41 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Replica of the Statue of Liberty —
With the faith and courage of their forefathers who made possible the freedom of these United States The Boy Scouts of America dedicate this replica of the Statue of Liberty as a pledge of everlasting fidelity and loyalty . . . — — Map (db m72403) HM
42 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Robert D. Ray Asian Garden —
The Robert D. Ray Asian Garden not only highlights the importance of diversity in our community and acknowledges the contributions that Asian Americans have made to Iowa, but also serves as a lasting monument honoring Governor Ray's visionary . . . — — Map (db m237927) HM
43 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Robert D. Ray Asian Garden — Governor Robert D. Ray, 1928-2018 — Governor of Iowa 1969-1983 —
Enriching the tapestry of Iowa, its culture and economy, are over 40,000 refugees who have been resettled in Iowa since the 1970s. These hard-working and family oriented individuals have become our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers. Their . . . — — Map (db m257911) HM
44 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — S-36 Submarine Memorial —
Front 1 of 52 U.S. Submarines lost during WWII Lost on her 2nd patrol, January 20, 1942 in Makassar Strait, Indonesia. Left Image U.S. Submarine Veterans World War II In memory of all submarines and crews on eternal patrol . . . — — Map (db m48269) HM
Paid Advertisement
45 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Shattering Silence —
Ralph was a slave from Missouri. In 1834, he bought his freedom from his owner, a man named J. Montgomery, so he could come to Iowa to work in the lead mines near Dubuque. The cost of his independence was to be $550, plus interest. But after five . . . — — Map (db m236242) HM
46 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Tai Dam — Robert D. Ray Asian Garden —
Tai Dam are an ethnic minority group who considered Northwestern Vietnam to be their homeland. As communism descended on South Vietnam and Laos in the early 70s the Tai Dam feared retaliation for their anticommunist past. They evacuated to . . . — — Map (db m257793) HM
47 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — The First Licensed Ferry —
This Boulder Commemorates The first licensed ferry at the junction of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers 1847 The first Pontoon Bridge at Sycamore Street (Now Grand Avenue) 1856 The First Toll Bridge at Court Avenue 1856 — — Map (db m210314) HM
48 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Vietnam — Robert D. Ray Asian Garden —
When Governor Ray watched a "60 Minute" broadcast with Ed Bradley about the plight of the Vietnamese fleeing on boats he couldn't bear to see so many people suffering and do nothing about it. He acted to save thousands of lives, especially the . . . — — Map (db m257858) HM
49 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Votes for Women — Mary J. Coggeshall 1836-1911 — Writer, Orator, and Leader —
Mrs. Coggeshall directed and inspired the women's suffrage movement in Iowa. She lobbied here for the vote. Centennial of the 19th Amendment — — Map (db m229145) HM
50 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — War of the Rebellion Monument —
Iowa's tribute to the courage, patriotism, and distinguished service of all her soldiers and sailors who fought in the war of the rebellion 1861- 1865 Designed By Harriet A. Ketcham Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. . . . — — Map (db m42147) WM
51 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — William Boyd Allison —
United States Senator MDCCCXXIX • MCMVIII for forty-three years A member of Congress from Iowa Oldest in service Wisest in council A friend of all — — Map (db m48275) HM
52 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, East Village — Willson Alexander Scott —
Sacred to the memory of Willson Alexander Scott who gave to the State of Iowa the greater part of the land where stands the Capitol Born in Crawford County, Indiana November 20, 1818. He acquired some five hundred acres of land . . . — — Map (db m236130) HM
53 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Greater South Side — The Gray's Lake Story —
Through the centuries, the area that is today's Gray's Lake was part of the ever-changing course of the Raccoon River. Left behind after one such change in the Raccoon was an oxbow that would become Gray's Lake Park. Residents of Des Moines in . . . — — Map (db m236552) HM
Paid Advertisement
54 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Sherman Hill — 55 — Willkie House —
A pillar of Des Moines' Black community, the Willkie House legacy dates to 1917 when it hosted the War Recreation Board's leisure programs for Black servicemen in the city. Its name and function changed in the early years, as did its location. . . . — — Map (db m235895) HM
55 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Union Park — 38 — Ida B. Wise Smith — 1871-1952 —
Born in Philadelphia, Ida B. Wise Smith rose to national prominence as a Iowan dedicated to the causes of women's suffrage, prohibition, and children's rights. Mrs. Smith pressed her causes in the political arena, achieving the enactment of a state . . . — — Map (db m235889) HM
56 ► Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, Waterbury — History of the Waterbury Neighborhood —
The Waterbury neighborhood began in the early 1890's when the Des Moines Railway extended the trolley car line from downtown along Ingersoll Avenue to Polk Boulevard. This provided residents access to the Ingersoll Amusement Park and Greenwood . . . — — Map (db m276431) HM
57 ► Iowa, Polk County, Mitchellville — 23 — Historic Des Moines / Noted Des Moines Residents —
Historic Des Moines The fork of the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers was recognized as an ideal site a military post as early 1834. Fort Des Moines was established in 1843, but was abandoned in 1846 following the treaty whereby the Sauk and . . . — — Map (db m33009) HM
58 ► Iowa, Polk County, Mitchellville — Universalist Church — 1868 —
This church was built by Thomas Mitchell. Thomas Mitchell was born in New Hampshire in 1816. he came to Iowa Territory in 1840, and in 1844 became the first white settler of Polk County. He built cabins and later inns to feed and shelter the . . . — — Map (db m44833) HM
59 ► Iowa, Polk County, Polk City — Big Creek Schoolhouse — Built in 1863 —
Has been placed on the National Historic Registry of Historical Places by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m292798) HM
60 ► Iowa, Polk County, Polk City — Josiah Hopkins' 20-Mile House —
The Josiah & Mahala Hopkins House (1848) served the community as a post office and early stagecoach stop on the route from Fort Des Moines to Fort Dodge. It was dubbed 20-Mile House for its location 20 miles from Fort Des Moines. Locally, the . . . — — Map (db m285152) HM
61 ► Iowa, Polk County, Polk City — Town Square — The Bandstand —
Town Square In May 1846 George and Hester Beebe, on their way west, bought land along the banks of Big Creek from Samuel and John Hays. They established the Big Creek Settlement, some times referred to as the Beebe Settlement. The . . . — — Map (db m292797) HM
62 ► Iowa, Polk County, West Des Moines — Welcome to the Jordan House —
Pioneers for Emancipation The man who built this house was James Cunningham Jordan (1813–1891). He and his wife Melinda were the earliest settlers in Walnut Township, Iowa (now West Des Moines). When he was thirty-three Mr. Jordan built a . . . — — Map (db m236559) HM
Paid Advertisement
63 ► Iowa, Polk County, West Des Moines, Valley Junction — Valley Junction —
October 1842 – Land is transferred to the United States 1845 - Iowa opened for homesteaders Spring of 1846 - First settlers moved into Walnut Township, future site of West Des Moines 1849 - Church services began in the Jordan log cabin . . . — — Map (db m236554) HM
 
 
CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisement
Oct. 15, 2026