Explore Des Moines Sporting History and Cultural Vibrancy

Des Moines, Iowa may not be the first place you think of when it comes to sports history, but this charminglyfriendly city has a rich athletic heritage that dates back over 150 years. From early baseball games played in cow pastures to Olympic athletes who trained here, Des Moines has played an important if often overlooked role in American sports.

One of the best ways to explore Des Moiness sporting history is by visiting the Iowa Hall of Pride (330 Park St., Des Moines). This interactive museum showcases famous Iowan athletes like Dan Gable and Kurt Warner alongside lesserknown heroes such as Negro League Baseball player Oscar Charleston. You can also learn about Native American stickball or watch videos that highlight historic games like the SixonSix basketball tournament which was popular among high school girls in Iowa until 1993.

Next on your list should be Principal Park (1 Line Dr., Des Moines), home of the TripleA minor league team The Iowa Cubs. Before becoming a modern ballpark with luxury boxes and craft beer stands, this site was known as Pioneer Park where local teams competed against barnstorming professionals like Babe Ruth. The park layout still reflects its origins with rolling hills beyond the outfield fence and picnic areas overlooking downtown buildings.

Another mustsee is Drake Stadium (2719 Forest Ave., Des Moines), where generations have gathered for track meets since its construction in 1925. Drake University hosts one of Americas oldest annual outdoor trackandfield events called simply The Relays. Olympians from Jesse Owens to Carl Lewis have run at Drake during their careers. But equally notable are the fans themselves who dress up in outrageous costumes each year for a longstanding tradition known as Relaytown.

Finally, no tour would be complete without mentioning Terrace Hill Mansion (2300 Grand Ave., Des Moines) located just west of Downtown area. This stately 19thcentury mansion has been the residence of Iowas governors since 1976. But before that, it was home to a wealthy businessman named Benjamin F. Allen who built a private ninehole golf course on the estate in 1898. The course is long gone but you can still admire the grounds and imagine playing against early20th century Iowans sporting knickers and wooden clubs.

Des Moines may not be famous for its sports history, but these sites show just how important athletics have been to this citys culture and people over time. From pioneer days through today, Des Moines celebrates not just winning games but also community spirit and diversity.

Websites:

https://www.catchdesmoines.com/

http://www.ncaa.com/sixonsixgirlsbasketballiowa

Twitter:

@IowaCubs

@DrakeRelays