Des Moines
a city, capital of the State of Iowa, and county-seat of Polk co.; at the junction of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, and on the Rock Island, the Northwestern, the Burlington Route, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, and several other railroads.
It is built on a plateau from 15 to 20 feet above the tidewater and is intersected by both rivers, which are spanned by eight bridges. The business portion lies near the rivers, and the residences are on the higher grounds beyond.
Public Parks and Buildings. The city has an extensive park system.
Among the notable buildings are the Capitol, erected at a cost of $3,000,000; the United States Building, containing the Postoffice and Federal Courts; the State Library; the State Historical Building, and Auditorium; Hospitals; Court House; the Grand Opera House; City Hall; State Arsenal; and about 75 churches. capital. Pop. (1910) 86,368; (1920) 126,468.