The cover of Glen Dickinson's new book features Des Moines Golf and Country Club, which was founded in 1897 and is one of the oldest golf clubs in the state. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
There's a new book about the history of one of Des Moines' oldest areas, "Waterbury Neighborhood."
Catch up quick: It was written by Glen Dickinson, the former director of Iowa's Legislative Services Agency.
It's meant to be a quick read, using a format inspired by the Des Moines Register's former "Meet Me on the Corner" column to highlight homes, businesses and landmarks.
Zoom in: Dickinson, a longtime resident, wrote the book after discovering some of its little-known history while writing articles for the neighborhood association's newsletters, he tells Axios.
Old directories, obituaries, and personal archives of neighborhood families contributed to the book.
Zoom in: Among the book's hidden gems is a mini amusement park that once sat between Grand and Ingersoll avenues — think 1900s joyrides near 44th Street.
A trolley linezipped Waterbury-area residents downtown starting in the 1880s.
