Historians chase Grand Avenue's hidden past

Axios

2 days ago

A group of Des Moines historians have launched a book project to document Grand Avenue's history — from Model T assembly lines to governors' mansions — and they're calling on the community to help fill in the gaps.
Why it matters: They're uncovering never-before-told insights into the city's expansion, class divides and urban evolution that connect the past to the present, DSM historian and filmmaker Kristine Bartley tells Axios.
State of play: Grand stretches nearly 17 miles from the State Fairgrounds in DSM through several western suburbs.
The book will explore the area between 17th and 56th streets — a corridor renowned for its early apartment buildings, Gilded Age mansions, civic landmarks and the legacy of prominent families over generations.
Behind the scenes: Research began years ago through a team at the DSM Historical Society, which approached some of the authors of a recent book about Woodland Cemetery to write and complete the project.
The intrigue: The current team has launched additional research and continues to seek descendants of early property owners to uncover historic triumphs and tragedies, lead author Mary Christopher tells Axios
"We're trying to find tidbits that people don't know about already," she said.
Zoom in: Researchers recently obtained family history and photos of a home that once stood on the site of the iconic William O. and Mattie M. Coffee House — now the headquarters of Financial Integrators — before it was built near 42nd Street and Grand in the early 1900s.
Another section will highlight how four homes along Grand were part of Des Moines' support network for Japanese Americans resettling from World War II internment camps.
What we're watching: Whether researchers reveal untold stories or secrets behind well-known histories, such as Central Campus' automotive past and Terrace Hill.