Des Moines County, Iowa

Founding: 1834
Parent county: Unorganized territory

Namesake: The Des Moines River
Seat: Burlington (1834–)

Land area: 416 square miles

Population (2020): 38,910

Population (historic): 12,988 (1850); 27,256 (1870); 35,989 (1900); 38,162 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1910; 1920s; 1940–1970

Subdivisions: Five cities; one CDP; 12 townships

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 7,401 (39.9%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 69.2%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 10.9%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 7.6%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 4.6%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $2,382
Average outbuilding value (1930): $2,090
Average farmhouse size (1940): 6.6 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 1,926
Average farm size (1920): 94 acres
Sources of settlement: Germany, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York
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Burlington

Namesake: Burlington, Vermont

Founding: 1833 (platting); 1834 (post office); 1845 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 23,982

Population (historic): 4,082 (1850); 14,930 (1870); 23,201 (1900); 26,755 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1910; 1920s; 1940–1960
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 5,883 (48.3%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. Peter Smith House (c. 1845). 6009 108th Road. Burlington.
2. Alexander Hilleary House (c. 1860). 6371 Hartman Road. Burlington.
3. Greenleaf Nealley House (remodeled c. 1910). 6093 Madison Avenue. Burlington. Greek Revival.
4. Dennis Melcher House (c. 1875). 22981 Agency Road. Danville. Italianate.
5. Melcher Pottery (c. 1850). 22982 Agency Road. Danville.
6. James Hanna Farm (c. 1880). 9209 Sycamore Road. Danville. Italianate/Eastlake.
7. David Ripley House (c. 1875). 13684 US Highway 61. Flint River. Italianate.
8. Henry Schilb Farm (c. 1845). 15634 150th Road. Franklin.
9. William Schroeder Farm (c. 1870). 15578 165th Road. Franklin.
10. Jackson Hilleary House (c. 1865). 4387 Rock Spring Road. Union. Italianate.
11. Solomon Bridges Farm (c. 1850). 15348 Mediapolis Road. Yellow Springs.

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