100 years ago (October 1915): Major event this month detailing the “Street Car Franchise,” requiring compromise, a new contract and Council Resolution. Just as important was the permission granted to the Des Moines Commercial Club to have traffic closed for three days on East Fifth Street between Locust and Grand
Read More →100 years ago (September 1915): First item of business of the month: Moved and carried, “that the City Hall be closed Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 1, to give the employees a chance to attend the Fair.” Later, a claim presented from Department of Public Safety for “the sum of $305.30 for
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Posted August 12, 2015in Once Upon A Time
100 years ago (August 1915): Ordinance No. 2396 passed “prohibiting circuses, menageries, caravans, shows or any other exhibition or performance of any kind whatsoever between the 25th day of August and the 3rd day of September…” subject to fine not less than $10 nor more than $100. ($10 then is
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Posted July 01, 2015in Once Upon A Time
100 years ago (July 1915): Ordinance passed with a penalty for “powerful or dazzling headlights on motor vehicles on the public streets” to be “not less than $5.00 nor more than $100” and/or jail time “not more than 30 days.” ($5 is about $117 today; $100 about $2,350. Only one
Read More →100 years ago (June 1915): Both cesspools are “full and overflowing” and in “deplorable condition,” reported health officer Dr. Sayler and A.B. Pray, plumbing inspector, of the Deptartment of Public Safety regarding the Detention and Diphtheria Hospitals. They recommended a septic tank connection be made to the cesspools at a
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Posted May 06, 2015in Once Upon A Time
100 years ago (April/May 1915) : City Purchasing Agent “to trade the value of one horse named ‘Rex’ $40; two horses, ‘Igo’ and ‘Ames’ $225; one mare and colt, $35; two horses ‘Babe’ and ‘Bob’ $90; one harness, $25; one wagon, $20; and the check received from the Cement plant
Read More →100 years ago (March 1915) : Legal department asked to render an opinion on City rights, and manner of control or regulation of fees of the new “so-called jitney bus business” — aside from “ordinary taxi-cab regulation.” (A jitney, from 1906, is a “bus which carries passengers for a fare,”
Read More →100 years ago (February 1915) : Permission granted to J.C. Watson to “shoot two pounds of dynamite for breaking frozen ground” on the premises of C. Staves, 1730 York St., under the provision of the Dept of Public Safety. (Today the city does not have such a department.) Discussion: Should
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Posted February 04, 2015in Once Upon A Time
100 years ago (January 1915) : Welsbach Street Lighting Company to install a gas street lamp at West 37th street and Kingman Boulevard. Des Moines Electric Company directed to install an incandescent street lamp at 32nd and Iola. West Grand Avenue from 14th to 18th to be made 50-feet wide,
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