This vintage WPA poster, “Smoke over Des Moines – WHY,” highlights the environmental challenges Des Moines faced in the 1930s. The poster’s bold, block letters and dark, swirling smog backdrop effectively capture the issue at hand. Created as part of the WPA’s art program, the poster aimed to educate and engage citizens on pressing community matters.
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Explore the streets and landmarks of Des Moines as they appeared in 1868. This meticulously restored map by A. Ruger showcases the city’s early development, including the Capitol, schools, churches, and transportation hubs.
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This vintage map of Decorah, Iowa was created in 1870 and has been lovingly restored by KNOWOL. Click to zoom in on a high resolution version and purchase reproductions.
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Historic bird’s eye view of Marshalltown, Iowa from 1868
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Beautifully restored map of Newton, Iowa from 1868
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Historic bird’s eye view of Guttenberg, Iowa in the 19th century.
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It has a high, beautiful and very healthy location upon the Iowa River, which is a bold deep stream of clear water, navigable with Steamboats during several months of each year, and commands the growing trade of a large scope of exceedingly fertile country, well timbered and watered.
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