DES MOINES
Illustrated Souvenir Album (1895)
FIRST HOUSES.
There is some dispute, or rather good natured disagreement, among old settlers as to who built the first house in Des Moines. The histories record David Solenberger as having built the first frame residence. The first building for residence purposes was constructed of logs by G. W. and W. G. Ewing, two enterprising Indian traders who landed in a keel boat at the Fort on the 3d of May, 1843.
It is claimed by James Holcomb that Lewis Whitton built the first frame house in Fort Des Moines, in the rear of the barracks on 'Coon river. This was in 1846.
W. W. Jones, who came here from Jefferson county, Indiana, on April 27, 1847, claimed that he built the first frame house on a lot he bought at the corner of Third and Vine streets.
There was a log building stood for many years as an old relic on the east side of Fourth street, between Market and Elm, which was built by Thomas McMullen in 1847. It was claimed that this was the first hewed log house built at the Fort.
It is claimed by James Holcomb that Lewis Whitton built the first frame house in Fort Des Moines, in the rear of the barracks on 'Coon river. This was in 1846.
W. W. Jones, who came here from Jefferson county, Indiana, on April 27, 1847, claimed that he built the first frame house on a lot he bought at the corner of Third and Vine streets.
There was a log building stood for many years as an old relic on the east side of Fourth street, between Market and Elm, which was built by Thomas McMullen in 1847. It was claimed that this was the first hewed log house built at the Fort.
DES MOINES LINSEED OIL WORKS.
J. D. SEEBERGER--S. E. CORNER OF FIFTH AND COURT AVE.--WHOLESALE HARDWARE STORE.
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