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Photos by Ryan Moffatt |
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The historic Highland Park and Oak Park Neighborhoods were once established as independent cities within Polk County. The "streetcar cities" were annexed by the City of Des Moines in the early 1900's, but once were home to an independent newspaper, a college, a fire station and other city services. This gallery focuses on the business cluster and original downtown of the two neighborhoods known as the "Parks Area", which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A new streetscape project has added new sidewalks, paving, brick crosswalks, historic street lighting, street furniture, landscaping, a historic district marker and a gateway arch. The new $1.5 million dollar streetscape is intended to clean up the district and spark business investment in an urban pocket of the city that holds much future potential. Click the thumbnail on the left to see a larger image. Use your browser's Back button to return to this page. |
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Highland Park/Oak Park Gateway Arch- The
signature element of the new Highland Park Streetscape is the entryway arch
at the intersection of 6th and Euclid Avenues. Floodlights illuminate
the arch at night. |
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1000 Friends of Iowa- An classic looking
apartment building on the southwest corner of 6th and Euclid. Along
the street level is the office of 1,000 Friends of Iowa, a citizens activist
group that promotes responsible land use in Iowa. |
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Old Apartments-
Another view of the old apartment building and a view westward down Euclid
Avenue. September 2004 |
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Aqualand- The Aqualand Pet shop on the northwest corner of 6th and
Euclid is a longtime neighborhood business. September 2004 |
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Euclid & 2nd Avenue- A commercial row along the south side of
Euclid and 2nd Avenues still holds several businesses and apartments. September 2004 |
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Bach's Appliances- On the north side of Euclid Avenue and 2nd Avenue
is the Bach Appliance sales center. The store is currently vacant, but
the pigeons definitely have made their presence felt under the awning that
would be just to the right of the photo. September 2004 |
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Helen & Pat's- Home of the original and now shuttered Helen &
Pat's, the one-time most famous Cavatelli in Des Moines. September 2004 |
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Chicago Dog & Deli-
A look at the north side of the intersection of 6th and Euclid. The
Chicago Dog and Deli has become a popular neighborhood eatery. September 2004 |
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Chuck's Restaurant- A longtime restaurant and tradition within north Des Moines is Chuck's Italian Restaurant. One of several businesses that have called this neighborhood district home for many years, Chuck's specialty is fine homemade pizza. This is also one of the oldest early 20th Century commercial styled buildings in the district. September 2004 |
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Down Euclid Avenue- A view along the north side of Euclid Avenue and
the Highland Park Business District. September 2004 |
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French Way Cleaners-
Located on the north side of Euclid Avenue, The French Way Dry Cleaners has
been a long time establishment in the neighborhood. Note the trumpet
playing sculptures on the facade. September 2004 |
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French Way Detail-
A look at the ornate facade detail on the French Way Dry Cleaners. September 2004 |
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Hiland Park Hardware- The Hiland Park Hardware Store remains an
independent retailer that has been around many years. September 2004 |
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6th Avenue Shops-
Looking southwest on 6th Avenue at a row of commercial buildings. September 2004 |
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Iowa Savings Bank- A small bank still continues operation along 6th
Avenue, with a neighborhood church sitting across the street. September 2004 |
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Low Rent Shops- A row of small shops along the north side of Euclid
Avenue. A few ethnic businesses have started to sprout up. September 2004 |
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Lynn's Supermarket- A longtime inner-city Des Moines legend is the
independent grocery store known as Lynn's Supermarket sits on 6th Avenue.
The owners convert the backroom and the basement of the store into a popular
haunted house every Halloween. September 2004 |
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Colorful Pawn Shop- A colorful set of painted brick buildings sit at
the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Euclid Avenue. A pawn shop sits on
the first floor, with apartments above. There are two small commercial
nodes within Highland Park, one at 2nd Avenue and Euclid and one at 6th
Avenue and Euclid. This cluster at 2nd and Euclid has yet to receive
the new streetscape elements. September 2004 |
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Tattoo Emporium- This small block of buildings could use a little
sprucing up, but two prominent businesses remain. A tattoo shop and a
dentist's office sit side by side. It is rumored that patrons can get
a free teeth cleaning after their 5th tattoo. September 2004 |
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Thrift Shop-
Looking northeast on Euclid Avenue towards a row of commercial buildings.
A thrift store occupies the brick building with the canopy. Notice the
line in the asphalt where the new streetscape project abruptly ends. September 2004 |
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Old Firehouse- The old, vine covered Highland Park Firehouse has been
renovated into an office and a residence. This is one several old
firehouses across the city that have been renovated into other uses. September 2004 |
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Old Firehouse-
Another view of the old Highland Park Firehouse and adjacent businesses. September 2004 |
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Brick Apartments-
A brick apartment building nestled in between houses along Euclid Avenue. September 2004 |
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Historic Marker- A new addition as part of the recently constructed
streetscape, this historic marker gives a brief history and a true sense of
place to the district. September 2004 |
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Streetlights- A view of the new enhanced design streetlights that
have been installed throughout Highland Park. September 2004 |
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Bench and Streetscape-
A portion of the new streetscape improvements. September 2004 |