West Des Moines Historical Society

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West Des Moines Historical Society The mission of the Society is to educate, to preserve, and to promote the heritage and history of West Des Moines.

The West Des Moines Historical Society owns and maintains two historic properties in West Des Moines, the Jordan House and Bennett School. The idea of establishing a historical society for the City of West Des Moines was conceived in 1968 as plans were made for the city’s Diamond Jubilee. Two years later, in 1970, the West Des Moines Historical Society was formed. To this end, the Society purchased the Jordan House in 1978. Through the efforts of the Society, the business community and the volunteer organizations of West Des Moines, the dream of transforming Jordan house into a museum became a reality. The major initial restoration was completed in 1993, the centennial year of West Des Moines. Since that time the West Des Moines Historical Society has also acquired and restored the Bennett School, the last one room school houses built and used in West Des Moines. These two facilities together with the growing collections of memoribilia and historical information form the core of the West Des Moines Historical Society’s collection. If you have knowledge of significant events in West Des Moines, pictures from the past, or historical items relating to West Des Moines we would love to hear from you. If you have only time, we are always looking for volunteers and can help you with that too – and you’ll get a lot of enjoyment out of it. In either event please contact us using the information below.

is a call to help create future flashbacks by nominating someone or participating in a new project. "We Are West Des M...
10/23/2026

is a call to help create future flashbacks by nominating someone or participating in a new project. "We Are West Des Moines" will interview people in West Des Moines who are an important part of the past, present and future of our city. Think about the people who worked to see the city grow and expand, whose families have been here for multiple generations, new residents, those who preserve and celebrate history, anyone that future generations should know!

We're asking for your help identifying those amazing individuals so we can interview them and those recordings will become part of the WDMHS' permanent collection and will be made available on our website. If you have someone you think we should talk to, nominate them today!

Link to nomination form in first comment.

is a vintage bentwood Torpedo toboggan. Long enough for the whole crew to slide down the steepest hill, this Canadian ...
10/21/2026

is a vintage bentwood Torpedo toboggan. Long enough for the whole crew to slide down the steepest hill, this Canadian treasure was found on the curb before trash day and rescued, but it's looking a little rough. Any restorers/woodworkers who'd like to make this awesome piece shine again?

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10/21/2026

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Thank you for the invitation to speak with you group today, Noon Optimist Club of Western Des Moines
10/20/2026

Thank you for the invitation to speak with you group today, Noon Optimist Club of Western Des Moines

Thank you so much for sharing your time and insights, Historic Valley Junction, Bing's Des Moines, The Boho Vase, and Th...
10/20/2026

Thank you so much for sharing your time and insights, Historic Valley Junction, Bing's Des Moines, The Boho Vase, and The Spice & Tea Exchange of West Des Moines! You make the Jordan Scholars program incredibly valuable and insightful!

The West Des Moines Historical Society's Jordan Scholars high school leadership group learned about the past and present of Valley Junction and heard from entrepreneur business owners at Bing's, The Spice & Tea Exchange, and The Boho Vase this afternoon. Always great to engage with tomorrow's leaders!

10/18/2026
Born in Mexico, Michael (Miguel) Moreno immigrated to the U.S. as a child in 1916, eventually settling in Dodge City, Ka...
10/16/2026

Born in Mexico, Michael (Miguel) Moreno immigrated to the U.S. as a child in 1916, eventually settling in Dodge City, Kansas. While traveling by freight train to find work in Gary, Indiana, he made an unplanned stop in Valley Junction, Iowa, where his trumpet-playing skills landed him an immediate gig. This caught the attention of a R.C. Hyde, Rock Island Railroad mechanic, who hired him to work for the railroad and play in its band.

He stayed for three years until the Great Depression hit, causing him to be laid off and the band to break up. Moreno finally made it to Gary but found no work; broke and desperate, he ultimately joined the Salvation Army band just to secure free room and board.

Dissatisfied, he returned to Valley Junction and worked odd jobs until landing a steady position in 1934. After his boss assured him the job was permanent, he planned his wedding, only to be fired on his wedding night.

There are just a few spaces available for holiday decorating at the Jordan House, including the formal parlor (the stuff...
10/16/2026

There are just a few spaces available for holiday decorating at the Jordan House, including the formal parlor (the stuffed groundhog can be integrated into your design!), James' office, the boys bedroom & the "modern" kitchen. Email [email protected] for more information!

Address

2001 Fuller Road
West Des Moines, IA
50265

Telephone

+15152251286

Website

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