Des Moines is the Iowa capital that was first called Fort Des Moines and became the state capital in 1857.
The name comes from Fort Des Moines, a U.S. Army post established near the junction of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers in 1843. The origin of “Des Moines” is debated, but it is often linked to the French name for the Des Moines River. The fort was abandoned in 1846, while the settlement continued to grow.
Des Moines became Iowa’s capital in 1857, when Iowa entered the Union. It replaced Iowa City, which had served as the territorial and first state capital. The inland location of Des Moines offered a more central administrative position as Iowa’s population expanded westward.
A frequent mix-up is assuming Iowa City remains the capital because of its historic university and earlier governmental role. Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa, while Des Moines is the state’s political and economic center.