Hull Avenue Revitalization Meeting
Name:
Hull Avenue Revitalization Meeting
Date:
April 7, 2022
Time:
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Event Description:
Change is coming!
Planning efforts are underway to kick start revitalization efforts at the E. 9th and Hull Avenue intersection in the Union and Highland Park Neighborhoods. Please join us on April 7th to have your thoughts and ideas heard. City and local development representatives will be in attendance to lead a discussion and seek public feedback.
Did You Know:
Thompson's Bend & Union Park was named for Andrew McFarland Thompson, a pioneer settler who staked claim to 1,400 acres in 1848 along the east side of the Des Moines River between Center Street dam and 6th Avenue. The area became popular for excursion steamers, canoeists and rowers. Boat houses and bath houses lined the river banks along Thompson's Bend in the late 1800's. In July of 1896 for the City of Des Moines and Polk County's 50th birthday, 20,000 people lined the river banks and celebrated with parades of 7 steamers, 40 row boats, and 9 canoes. The last remaining 14 acres of the Thompson Farm became Union Park on that day.
Tacitus "Tac" Hussey - (1832 - 1919) was a prominent Des Moines leader, conservationist and avid river man. In 1892, Hussey and his friend Walter Weatherly paddled 135 miles over seven days on the Des Moines River from Humboldt, IA.
In the late 1800's and early 1900's, development in the Union Park area included many Scandinavian immigrants. With their enjoyment of chewing snuff, the area was eventually named Snusville.
As the city grew, a trolley system was established. At one time, the Union Park area line ended at the intersection of East 9th Street and Hull Avenue. It was called the "end of the line".
When Veterans began returning from WWII, residential construction continued on, north of the East 9th and Hull Avenue location, and the trolley/bus end of the line moved north a few blocks to Wright & Euclid Avenue. Many of these new homeowners/Veterans found employment at the Firestone Plant on 2nd Avenue, as well as the John Deere Plant, which was the old WWII Ordnance Plant in Ankeny.
One of the businesses that grew at the end of the line was the Hull Avenue Tap, one of the oldest operating businesses in the area. Over the following years, Don Johnson Pharmacy, Marvin's Market, Freddie's Shoe Shop, and a city library branch occupied some of the building that make up the East 9th & Hull Avenue business area. Across the street included, Dr. Shutt's practice, Avalon Theatre, Cardinal Cleaners, Bill Thompson's Highland Real Estate office and close by, Kerry's Drive Inn Restaurant.
During this time, Grandview College was founded in this area.
Did You Know:
Thompson's Bend & Union Park was named for Andrew McFarland Thompson, a pioneer settler who staked claim to 1,400 acres in 1848 along the east side of the Des Moines River between Center Street dam and 6th Avenue. The area became popular for excursion steamers, canoeists and rowers. Boat houses and bath houses lined the river banks along Thompson's Bend in the late 1800's. In July of 1896 for the City of Des Moines and Polk County's 50th birthday, 20,000 people lined the river banks and celebrated with parades of 7 steamers, 40 row boats, and 9 canoes. The last remaining 14 acres of the Thompson Farm became Union Park on that day.
Tacitus "Tac" Hussey - (1832 - 1919) was a prominent Des Moines leader, conservationist and avid river man. In 1892, Hussey and his friend Walter Weatherly paddled 135 miles over seven days on the Des Moines River from Humboldt, IA.
In the late 1800's and early 1900's, development in the Union Park area included many Scandinavian immigrants. With their enjoyment of chewing snuff, the area was eventually named Snusville.
As the city grew, a trolley system was established. At one time, the Union Park area line ended at the intersection of East 9th Street and Hull Avenue. It was called the "end of the line".
When Veterans began returning from WWII, residential construction continued on, north of the East 9th and Hull Avenue location, and the trolley/bus end of the line moved north a few blocks to Wright & Euclid Avenue. Many of these new homeowners/Veterans found employment at the Firestone Plant on 2nd Avenue, as well as the John Deere Plant, which was the old WWII Ordnance Plant in Ankeny.
One of the businesses that grew at the end of the line was the Hull Avenue Tap, one of the oldest operating businesses in the area. Over the following years, Don Johnson Pharmacy, Marvin's Market, Freddie's Shoe Shop, and a city library branch occupied some of the building that make up the East 9th & Hull Avenue business area. Across the street included, Dr. Shutt's practice, Avalon Theatre, Cardinal Cleaners, Bill Thompson's Highland Real Estate office and close by, Kerry's Drive Inn Restaurant.
During this time, Grandview College was founded in this area.
