MEMORIES OF DES MOINES, IOWA in the 1960's

[@billoakes4475]

I'm from Dallas Tx. Back in the 60s I would come to Des Moines to visit my grandparents a couples times a year. They lived on 2028 street. I remember how beautiful it was and the Museum of Art. I miss the old Des Moines . To me as a child it is happy happy beautiful memories.

[@TheOrlandoLassus]

My family grew up in DSM, and most still live there. Dad worked at Monteith Auto Glass on Cherry and 8th. Yonkers had a warehouse directly behind their shop. All that is long gone but memories remain of the innocence of youth. Grandma lived on the east side near the Capital Building. My brother and I both attended Andrew Jackson Elementary and Weeks Junior High. I have taken my wife there a couple times and my old street still looks untouched. Vacant lot across the street and no sidewalks. I made a promise to her we would attend the Iowa State Fair soon. There is nothing like in on Earth. Thanks for the memories :)

[@MarkOhlson]

I'm glad it brought back good memories for you. And yes, the Iowa State Fair is still as popular as ever. God Bless you and your family 🙏❣️

[@TheOrlandoLassus]

@MarkOhlson I can taste a Smitty's tenderloin sandwich. I wish they shipped!

[@mjmk8928]

I live in des moines! Born& raised here,i remember all of these places!!!! Goin down memory lane,fer sure!

[@alanstrong55]

Look so familiar. Miss those things. Includes Bond's of Beaverdale and Burger Chef. Do not forget Mustard's Last Stand and Highland Potato Chips!

[@seththomas9105]

The chippiest chips around!

[@alanstrong55]

@@seththomas9105 George The Chili King has not died out. Still there. Bet I stink up the bedroom that same day. Ja ja ja!

[@doncarpenter1040]

Enjoyed this video. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@sc2824]

I was born (1946) and raised in DM. Funny how an old black and white photo immediately rivets you with memories of a time gone by. Thanks.

[@steveschierholz5272]

We still got AE milk box. Tearing up seeing all the old stores & venues. Tones is still around just moved to Ankeny

[@MarkOhlson]

Yeah I understand. I miss Des Moines, Ames and Ankeny. Lived in all three. I'm in Arizona now but if I could afford it I'd live in Ankeny and Tempe both. And I remember our milk box too. Thanks for watching, it's always good to hear from others who remember.

[@steveschierholz5272]

@@MarkOhlson We lived in Ankeny, but everyone went to DSM. Dad worked for NWB spent most of his career there and oskaloosa.

[@seththomas9105]

@@MarkOhlson Ankeny is not the same town it was 30 years ago. Nowhere within 20 miles of DSM is.

[@MarkOhlson]

@@seththomas9105 I agree. I lived in Ankeny from 1981 to 2001. When I first moved there after college Delaware road was all gravel. I'd go out there to run and get out of the city. I still have a few friends there but I don't think I can ever go back. Nothing would be the same :(

[@seththomas9105]

@@MarkOhlson Ha. I met some freinds at the BWW on Deleware road for the Iowa State bowl game. I was early and chatted with the bartender and told her how back in the 80's we would be standing in a field along a gravel road at this location. She looked at me like I was a old man. Damn, I guess I am. LOL. A freind of mine graduated from A.H.S. class of 79. She had 70 in her class.... Let THAT one sink in.

[@mjmk8928]

Wish they would have showed Millies ,best drive- in place great tenderloins

[@BlueTickCH]

Have you seen the tenderloin of san francisco....

[@EverydayReiki333]

I worked at The Des Moines Register back in the 80s. I wanted one of those yellow carrier bags so bad, but after Johnny Gosch and Eugene Martin, they stopped using them. Tragic times for paper carriers

[@yourseatatthetable]

Well, I was born in 66' at Des Moines General, then grew up in Mitchellville but spent quite a bit of time in Des Moines, more so as I grew older and started working. I can relate to a few of the pictures, but no offense, there are a number of pictures that are not a period pieces inline with the video. 801 Grand was built in the late 80's, not the 60's; Fire House #1 became the Social Club in the early 2000's, etc. Kinda like reading a novel and finding a typo, doesn't detract from the enjoyment, but it does leap out to those of us who notice. I'll also note that more than a few of those businesses and location still exist in the city.

[@leftyf74]

And the Drake Diner didn't open until 1987.

[@yourseatatthetable]

@@leftyf74 I remember it was on the local news when it opened. Not sure if it's still there or not.

[@alanstrong55]

To the King's Food Host fans, I dearly loved their Cheese Frenchees, onion rings, and chili dog platters! Bon apetit!

[@dr.ramirez3595]

Telephones in each booth to place our orders, pretty neat!

[@swivelhips586]

1st, Anderson Erickson has the best chocolate milk ever created. I remember getting the milk out of the milk box in Jan-Feb mornings and often it was partially frozen. My dad was eating and waiting at Chucks when my mother delivered me. Like many boys in DSM, I delivered for the Register and Tribune when there was still a Tribune. I still had a route when Johnny Gosch was kidnapped into the pedophile ring. I heard Highland Bakery closed which is a loss to all of mankind. Best sugar cookies ever. I was hoping to see some pics of the West View drive in theatre, and other drive ins. George's Chili King deserves a nod and Merle Hay Mall was an open air mall and Mr.Donut was as good as Duncan donuts. The Hinky Dinky picture flooded me with memories of Grandma taking me to the grocery. There was one across from Sherwood Forest that shared the same building KMart is(was/is?) In. I haven't been back to Des Moines or Urbandale for years. Thanks for the great video and trip down memory lane. Also... Urbandale actually had a drag strip in the 60's and a USAF fighter jet in Lion's park. I'm amazed at how much my 3/4/5 year old brain can recall from DSM in the 60's. Thanks again. MY BAD! I saw the pic of West View at the very end!

[@MarkOhlson]

Glad you liked it. Your right, there are a thousand things I could have added. So many memories, so much sadness and joy from the good ole days.

[@swivelhips586]

@@MarkOhlson Mark, do you know if the Street/cable cars were still running in the 60's? I think Ingersoll was a main line.

[@MarkOhlson]

@@swivelhips586 I don't remember them myself but maybe the early 60s ? I loved the AE chocolate milk myself. We went down there when I was in grade school as a school trip. Same thing with the Wonder Bread factory.

[@swivelhips586]

@@MarkOhlson Those were great times. I remember taking those same tours with our elementary classes and Cub Scouts. I think at AE they gave us each the small milks at the end of the tour and Colonial gave us bread or bread samples.

[@MarkOhlson]

@@swivelhips586 Yes indeed. I remember the free milk sample and Wonder Bread gave us an entire loaf of bread as I recall.

[@troidva]

Ugh. I lugged around one of those yellow Des Moines Register & Tribune newspaper hernia bags for three years as a lad! I also bused tables at Babes, tho not a fan of the owner Babe Bisignano. Loved the Plantation & West-Vue Drive-ins as a kid- I'll never forget seeing the musical "Oliver" at the latter. Spent many a night in the late 1980s cramming (food and occasionally knowledge) into myself at Drake Diner when visiting old classmates from my alma mater. Wish they could have included interior scenes from "Bamie's Pizza" joint in this montage (my sister Ann Bonanno still makes Bamie's-style pizzas in her kitchen).

[@dgb119311]

Wow! Bon Ton!

[@Gem0674]

My Grandma took us to Katz to buy toys and a 12 pack for Grandpa 😅

[@dsmreloader7552]

Nice piece but 801 Grand and Ruan in view of Grays Lake, Drake Diner and Des Moines Social Club?? Not 60s

[@gdavis8588]

There were a few others. AE dairy didn't have a calf in the 60's. Cool pictures anyway.

[@dr.ramirez3595]

I remember too, wonderful childhood in Des Moines in the 60s, going to drive to the state fair tomorrow

[@clutchcargo2419]

Well done !

[@MarkOhlson]

Thank You

[@jeffkiess]

Bill Bryson's wonderful memoir The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid brought me here!

[@sknaack]

King's Food Host. Am I the only one who gets hungry and dreams of that place?

[@steveschierholz5272]

Preaching to the choir 😀

[@steveschierholz5272]

Remember the cheesy Frenchy they had?😛 Remember the restaraunt in merle hay mall? Can't remember the name but as soon as I post this I know the name.

[@sknaack]

@@steveschierholz5272 Bishop's Buffet?

[@steveschierholz5272]

@@sknaack yes of course. My grandma's favorite place to take the grandkids

[@troynossmarvel6866]

Miss the Frenchies and Shirley Temples

[@rickkimbley8991]

Very cool. Thanks for doing this.

[@MarkOhlson]

Glad you liked it!

[@grandpaissues4156]

Nice stroll going down memory lane, but Drake Diner and Principle Bldg. were definitely not around in the 60s.

[@poksnee]

Some are pre-1960s, but great nostalgic trip.

[@richardleaming4035]

Grampa Walt spent lots of time after work at the Bon Ton tap

[@MarkOhlson]

It was a popular place back in the day

[@seththomas9105]

@@MarkOhlson I've heard of it. Where was it? Not a DSM native but have worked around DSM since the late 90's.

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

​@@seththomas9105it was on Leado ave. And Beaver.

[@DugrozReports]

McDonalds milkshake for 20 cents!

[@paulhoffer3123]

Clear water beach