Des Moines Golf and Country Club – Historical Attractions

Des Moines Golf and Country Club is consistently ranked one of the top ten golf courses in all of Iowa. In addition to an 18-hole golf course, this club features 12 tennis courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and an outstanding restaurant. Des Moines Golf and Country Club is an incredible place for any event, from weddings to the U.S. Senior Open.

Conveniently, this elegant venue is located just a short drive from downtown Des Moines. This is perfect for history buffs, as this capital city contains plenty of historic sites.

Living History Farms

More than 80% of land in Iowa is farmland due to the state’s notably fertile soil. For this reason, the history of farming and the history of Iowa are inextricably linked.

This is where Living History Farms comes in. The creators modeled this 500-acre outdoor museum after a 19th-century village. Living History Farms features a mansion, farmhouse, blacksmith shop, church, and general store. All of the tour guides wear traditional clothing to add a layer of authenticity to the experience. This interactive museum also offers educational programs, entertainment, and recreations of the villagers’ lives.

You can learn more about life in 1800s Iowa at Living History Farms, just nine minutes from Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

Bennett School Museum

11 minutes from Des Moines Golf and Country Club is one of the last one-room schoolhouses in Iowa: Bennett School Museum. The schoolroom was built in the late 1920s and used until 1941. After the structure no longer served as a classroom, the Bennett School was remodeled and used as a private residence.

In the 1990s, the owners of the Bennett School donated it to the West Des Moines Historical Society, and it has served as the Bennett School Museum ever since. It’s one of the last one-room schoolhouses in the state, and tours are available upon request.

Jordan House

The landmark Jordan House is an incredible destination for any history lover visiting Des Moines Golf and Country Club. James C. Jordan, the original owner of the house, was a staunch abolitionist. Because of this, he used his home as a stop along the Underground Railroad.

The Jordan House remained in the family for almost a century, until the Des Moines Historical Society purchased it. The historical society then renovated the home to reflect its original appearance, making it a fascinating place to visit.

Guests can get a guided tour of this beautiful and historic home, during which the docents discuss the cultural norms of the time. Visitors will walk through the halls of the Jordan House, the same house that sheltered enslaved people on the run.

The impressive Jordan House, a Victorian-era mansion, is only 13 minutes away from Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

Salisbury House & Gardens

The Salisbury House & Gardens is an impressive property built in 1928 by Edith and Carl Weeks, the latter of whom was a cosmetics magnate. The Weeks modeled this Tudor-style mansion after the King’s House in Salisbury, England. The house rests on a huge plot of land and contains the family’s world-class collection of artwork, antiques, and furniture.

The Salisbury House & Gardens underwent an extensive renovation in 2005 and since then has welcomed thousands of visitors each year. This one-of-a-kind experience is less than $10 a person, and is located just 15 minutes from Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

Terrace Hill

One of the most important homes in the entire state of Iowa is Terrace Hill, the residence of Iowa governors since 1971.

Terrace Hill was originally the home of Des Moines’s first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen. He hired a renowned architect to create the house of his dreams, and crews finished its construction in 1869. This dream house is now a National Historic Landmark and open to visitors.

You’ll learn about the lifestyle of the wealthy in the Victorian era while exploring the intricate home and its impressive gardens. Outside, guests can take a tour of Terrace Hill’s Carriage House. This structure once held horses, stalls, and carriages. It is now the site of a visitor’s center and small museum.

The governors and first families prioritize Terrace Hill’s maintenance and conservation in order to keep it a landmark for future generations.

Terrace Hill is only 16 minutes away from Des Moines Golf and Country Club, and a highly-recommended place to visit.

Iowa State Capitol

Des Moines has been Iowa’s capital city since 1857. Because of this, there are multiple significant sites to visit. The Iowa State Capitol is a must-visit for anyone visiting Des Moines Golf and Country Club, or just the city in general.

The Iowa State Capitol, built in 1886, currently houses the governor’s offices, Iowa’s Senate and House of Representatives, the office of the Attorney General, and more.

The most outstanding feature of the Iowa State Capitol is its enormous, 23-karat gold dome that can be seen for miles. The building also features four other domes, making it the only five-domed state capitol. Since the Capitol sits atop a hill, you can get a panoramic view of Des Moines

Tours of the Iowa State Capitol are dense with information, and if you’re lucky, you can see the legislative houses in action. This magnificent building is only 16 minutes from Des Moines Country Club and should be on your list of sites to see.

These historic sites will provide a cross section of Des Moines and Iowa history in general. No matter what kind of event you’re attending at Des Moines Golf and Country Club, the historic sites surrounding it are a fantastic way to spend a few hours or even an entire day.