What Is the Jordan House?
This was the home of abolitionists, James and
What Makes It Historical?
James Jordan was a social fellow, a member of the Early Settlers, Tippecanoe, Pioneers, Octogenarian, and Pioneer Law Makers Societies! He was a twice-elected state senator, represented Polk County in the general assembly, and acted on the county board of supervisors multiple times, even introducing the bill to relocate Iowa’s capital to Des Moines in 1854!
All the while he was a society man, Mr. Jordan was secretly Polk County’s chief conductor on the Underground Railroad! When he was younger, he’d been on a hunting party for escaped slaves, but as soon as he saw their terrified faces, he became convinced that slavery was a great wrong! At the time, the Underground Railroad in Iowa ran from Civil Bend through Des Moines to Davenport on its way to Detroit and a crossing to Canada, so Mr. Jordan and his wife Melinda opened their Victorian/Italianate Gothic home to shelter folks along that treacherous journey. Even John Brown of Harpers Ferry fame stayed at “Uncle Jimmy Jordan’s” twice on his railroad runs!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Become a member of the West Des Moines Historical Society!
- Donate to the West Des Moines Historical Society!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
2001 Fuller Rd
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
You can tour the Jordan House on Fridays and Sundays at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM!