The history
of Valley Junction

Early Days

To get a true feeling for Historic Valley Junction as it is today, one needs to understand the spirit of the early residents whose vision and unique character left a lasting impression on the area.

It all began in 1846, when James C. Jordan, Valley Junction’s first settler, pitched a tent between two oak trees on the western side of the Des Moines border.  An individualist with a strong sense of moral values, Jordan eventually built a house on the site which later became a stop on the “Underground Railroad”.  Jordan was also active politically, serving as a county supervisor, and both a state senator and representative. To learn more about James Jordan, the Underground Railroad, and local history, please visit the West Des Moines Historical Society website.

Valley Junction itself experienced significant growth from 1891-1896.  The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad moved its East Des Moines roundhouse, switching yards and repair shops to this area which until then had primarily been a community of coal miners.  With the news of the railroad’s move into the area, several area businessmen formed the Hawkeye Investment Company and purchased 40 acres of land east of 8th Street and a “downtown” was born.

HVJF Founding

Formed in 1986, the group formerly known as VJ87 eventually morphed into what is today the Historic Valley Junction Foundation Board of Directors. The Main Street Approach® was chosen because the original HVJF Board of Directors (VJ87) felt that the program (managed by the National Main Street Center) would help to improve the image, physical appearance and business climate of Valley Junction.  The original HVJF Board of  Directors also hoped that adopting the Main Street Approach® would aid in enhancing the identity of Valley Junction as an architecturally and historically valuable place; thereby, increasing preservation and renovation activities.