Once upon a Des Moines blueberry farm, pioneer landowner John Moore lost a prospective fortune. Not from blueberries-from 1881 unpaid taxes and a twist of fate.

Some folks said he was mentally wacky when he sold his 1872 land claim. Others say, "Poor old John was swindled out of it by scoundrels!"

In 1889, 50 by 25 foot lots "sold like hotcakes for $250 to $500." Des Moines was expected to be the Capitol of Washington with a Union Pacific Railroad connection.

High promotional advertising in the 1890 Des Moines News read, "Des Moines, best and most prosperous city on Puget Sound, Greatest industrial city in the Northwest; Headquarters of Union Pacific R.R. and Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company."

The United Methodist Church purchased those blueberry fields in 1945 and built Wesley Homes Retirement Campus.

Do you ever wonder what was on your land before you? History reveals what maps can't.

My condominium is built on property that at various times was a hotel, a pool hall, a storage place for coffins, an ice cream parlor and post office.

Rudberg's General Store was across the street where folks socialized around a potbellied stove. Grandson Bill Rudberg still lives nearby.

Jim Langston, great-grandson of Des Moines Orphan's Home founder Herman M. "Daddy" Draper, said, "History is like undercurrents in the river of life taking us away from the surface and into realities. It's who and what we and our country are all about."

As Des Moines Historical Society VP and Program Director, Langston has scheduled two year-end public programs:

"Memories of War Years," Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. at 728 S. 225th St., in the IOOF Hall, lower level.

Are there any WACs, WAVES, veterans, family or friends from any war, Revolutionary to Iraq, with memories and/or mementos you're willing to share? If you'd rather not talk, just write out your experience, and someone will read it aloud.

Emmy Award-winning Professor John Doan will be on stage at Des Moines Cinema Dec. 2-3 for "A Victorian Christmas" with original Victorian instruments.

See what entertainment was before radio and television screens became household furniture.

Proceeds will be donated by sponsoring IOOF Lodge 305 to build Fisher House near the Veteran's Hospital in Seattle.

Full-time teaching was cut short for Langston due to dimming eyesight, although he substitute teaches for the Highline School District. He also speaks to groups about how to live life to its fullest with macular degeneration.

I recently spoke about "The Soul of Des Moines" to Wesley Homes Cottage residents with these down-to-earth historic highlights:

Des Moines was once heavily forested. Indians from Kent valley came here to fish and dig clams. Early settlers began logging and shingle mills prospered.

Small ships, a/k/a "The Mosquito Fleet," brought passengers, supplies and mail to a dock at present-day Beach Park. On foggy nights, crewmembers threw mailbags to men onshore who took them by wheelbarrow to the post office. Rumor is there was "bootlegging" goings-on too. No names mentioned.

Max Elsner, who started Zenith Holland Greenhouses, didn't tell anyone he was getting married, but when neighbors learned the bachelor put a bathtub in his home they figured it out and held an old-fashioned "shiveree."

Resourceful ladies in 1917 raised money for the Red Cross by blocking off the north town entrance bridge and charged a toll to every vehicle coming and going. They met their quota in no time!

As popular early 20th century humorist Will Rogers said, "There are two theories to arguing with a woman - and neither works."

What is "The Soul of Des Moines?"

It's women laying wooden plank sidewalks, the firefighting "Bra Brigade" rescuing a boy from a water well, devoted teachers helping children reach for the stars, business owners like Mary Beth Benson, friendly hellos, familiar faces, a city council that listens and answers, and volunteers promoting progress while preserving small town atmosphere and history.

Des Moines' soul is "People Who Care." As Will Rogers also said, "One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been."