Advertisement
Discover the rich history of Des Moines’ esteemed Waterbury neighborhood in this engaging book. Incorporated into Des Moines in 1890, it once was farmland and timberland. Change began with the streetcar line to Polk and Ingersoll, followed by attractions like Greenwood Park, Ingersoll Amusement Park, and the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. By 1907, growing demand for suburban housing and the rise of automobiles shifted the area toward residential development. Waterbury became known for its historic brick homes, quality craftsmanship, and curving streets that follow the land’s contours, distinguishing it from grid neighborhoods. The book explores Waterbury’s growth, its pioneer landowners—such as Waterbury, Ingersoll, Polk, Brown, Ashworth, Jordan, and Clegg—along with schools, churches, and notable businesses like Greenwood Market and Pete’s DX.Glen Dickinson is a longtime Des Moines resident and author of Waterbury Neighborhood (2025), an account of one of the city's older and most storied residential areas. The book was inspired by his ties to the neighborhood and his passion for local history. Beyond his writing, Dickinson served nearly four decades in Iowa’s Legislative Services Agency, where he was appointed director in 2008 and led the agency until his retirement in 2021. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa, holding degrees in Geography and Urban and Regional Planning.
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
2629 Beaver Ave Ste S1, Des Moines, IA, United States, Iowa 50310
