Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines (pronounced {{IPA|/dɪˈmɔɪn/}} in English, in French) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Iowa. (Originally, the capital of Iowa was in Iowa City) It was incorporated on September 22, 1851 as Fort Des Moines, until it was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857.http://www.ci.des-moines.ia.us/departments/AC/Information/AChistoricalinfo.htm

History

Des Moines was founded in May 1843 when Captain James Allen built a garrison (fort) on the site where the Des Moines and Raccoon river merge. Allen wanted to use the name Fort Raccoon, but the American War Department told him to name it Fort Des Moines. The original origin of the name Des Moines is uncertain. It could have referred to the river of the Moingonas, named after an Indian tribe that resided in the area and built burial mounds. Others see it as referring to Trappist monks, some of whom lived in huts at the mouth of the river, or connected to the phrase de moyen in French, meaning middle, because of its location between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

Related Topics:
James Allen - Des Moines - Raccoon river - Fort Des Moines - Trappist monks - Mississippi - Missouri rivers

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Settlers came and lived near the fort, and on September 22, 1851, it was incorporated as a city after its town charter was approved in a vote on October 18. In 1857, the name Fort Des Moines was shortened to Des Moines alone and it was made the capital of Iowa.

Related Topics:
September 22 - 1851 - October 18 - 1857 - Iowa

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