Des Moines, Iowa

The city is named after the Des Moines River, which may have been adapted from the French Rivière des Moines, literally meaning "River of the Monks."

Des Moines is a crucial city in United States presidential politics as the capital of Iowa, which is home to the Iowa caucuses. The Iowa caucuses have been the first major electoral event in nominating the President of the United States since 1972.

Des Moines is a major hub for the insurance industry and also has a sizable financial services and publishing business base. In fact, Des Moines was named the "number one spot for U.S. insurance companies" in a Business Wire article. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group, the Meredith Corporation, Ruan Transportation, EMC Insurance Companies, and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

History

The City of Des Moines traces its origins to May 1843, when Captain James Allen oversaw the construction of a fort on the site where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers merge. Allen wanted to use the name Fort Raccoon; however, the U.S. War Department told him to name it Fort Des Moines.