West Des Moines Real Estate Listings of Houses and Homes for Sale in Polk County, Iowa


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West Des Moines

The city of West Des Moines was incorporated on October 9, 1893. Founding father James C. Jordan settled in the area over a hundred years ago. He soon became a legislative leader and a major promoter of city development.

From its inception, West Des Moines has endeavored to provide the best possible services to its citizens. The community of Valley Junction set the standard for the successful, forward-thinking town that West Des Moines would become. Within the first few years of incorporation, the city was able to install a number of "amenities" such as sidewalks, gas and water mains, telephone service and electricity, which were considered progressive at the time. The first City Hall was constructed in 1905 and continued growth resulted in the construction of several schools, churches and new buildings. On January 1, 1938, the city known as Valley Junction adopted the new name of West Des Moines.

West Des Moines has become one of the leading shopping areas in the state. The city is home to many commercial centers as well as Valley West Mall, one of the premier enclosed malls in central Iowa. Valley West houses more than 120 shops, ranging from department stores to boutiques, specialty shops and service businesses. A completed addition to compliment these retail shopping districts is the regional Jordan Creek Town Center. Along with retail shops new to the area, there is an amphitheater, an ice-skating rink, a hotel, outdoor dining and a lake. Visitors to historic Valley Junction can enjoy more than 140 boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, art galleries, craft shops, and clothing outlets, in addition to special events such as art fairs and a Farmer's Market.

The West Des Moines Recreation Division provides many different recreational facilities including the new Valley View Aquatic Complex, a full service Community Center, Holiday Park Pool, Raccoon River Park Softball Complex, and the RRP Nature Lodge. Recreational programs and activities are offered year-round and range from swimming lessons to performing arts to outdoor recreation. The Parks Division currently maintains more than 1200 acres of parkland and open space. Parks range in size from the half-acre Kiwanis Park to the 632-acre Raccoon River Park. There are also approximately 12 miles of biking/walking trails winding throughout the town.

As part of the West Des Moines School District, students have access to a number of educational resources including a newly developed 150-acre city-school campus. The campus houses a Law Enforcement Center, a library, the Learning Resource Center, Historic Bennett Schoolhouse, Jordan Creek Elementary, Valley Southwoods Freshman High School, City Hall and the Valley Stadium. Adults seeking continued education have plenty of options. The West Campus of Des Moines Area Community College is being developed as "Techtown" and features a high-tech business park, lakes, and green space. It provides students with training in the latest communication and computer technologies. Other nearby colleges include Grand View College, Simpson College, University of St. Francis, Upper Iowa University, and William Penn University.

Looking around West Des Moines today, it is obvious to even the most casual onlooker that many of the visions of the city's earliest leaders have become realities. With each coming year, West Des Moines continues to grow and provide the best services for the citizens of the community.