February 20, 1843 – U. S. Army announces that a temporary military post would be established at the Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines River.

Above is an early map of the second Fort Des Moines – located where the Raccoon River meets the Des Moines River. The first Ft. Des Moines was located on the Mississippi River in Lee County (1834-1837).

A Day-by-Day Calendar of Historical Events In Iowa, William J. Petersen, State Historical Society of Iowa, 1946, p 22

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