Read the stories of a unique Des Moines neighborhood that has maintained the charms of childhood dreams while also housing many who have blazed new trails.

Nestled behind major roadway Grand Avenue on Des Moines’ west side is a quaint historic neighborhood – Owl’s Head. Spanning only about one square block in size, one would never guess this unassuming enclave would have so many fascinating stories to tell. Owl’s Head began as a streetcar suburb not long after Iowa became a state in 1846. The homes were built by notable architects of the time with a focus on style, entertaining, and accommodations for staff. It was a haven where affluential residents could escape their downtown career and enjoy the relaxation of nearby parks.

Owl’s Head has been the home to pioneers who influenced journalism, politics, art, and business innovation at the local, state, and national level. One of the more prominent homes was the official residence of the Iowa governor for 28 years. It is not uncommon for several generations of families to live in the neighborhood or to meet a resident who has resided in their home for well over 40 years. Residents in the neighborhood have socialized with prominent figures such as Louis Armstrong and Theodore Roosevelt. An annual neighborhood Labor Day party has been a tradition since Owl’s Head became a historic district in the late 1970s.

We invite you to take a stroll through the neighborhood and discover for yourself what makes Owl’s Head such a hidden gem.

About the Authors & Artist

Sondra Ashmore, husband Brian, and sons Drake and Dane have enjoyed being Owl’s Head residents at 338 29th Street since 2014. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications at Iowa State University, master’s degrees at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in technical communication and management, and her Ph.D. at Iowa State in Human Computer Interaction. She publishes on software development best practices and methodologies and co-authored the book Introduction to Agile Methods. She has spent her career in the field of technology and is passionate about old homes and historic preservation.

Christine Guzzo Vickery worked as a healthcare interior designer in Minneapolis for 31 years before retiring in 2017. She grew up in southeastern Iowa and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa. Her knowledge and interest in interior design and architecture were the reasons she became involved in writing about Owl’s Head. In addition to co-authoring this book, she is also the author of the children’s book: Nighttime in Owl’s Head. She has co-authored two books on healthcare interior design: Modern Clinic Design: Strategies for an Era of Change and Clinic Design: Enhancing the Patient Experience through Informed Design. She has also published numerous family books, including a family history of her Sicilian ancestry: La Famiglia Domenico Guzzo: Eventi La Storia. She lives in Minnetrista, Minnesota with her husband, Peter, and daughter Mei. She is a proud aunt of Sondra Ashmore and enjoyed having the opportunity to work with her on this book.

Sharon Larson is a watercolor artist specializing in custom portraits of homes, farms, and pets. Her work has been recognized for its elaborate attention to detail with whimsical flair. She is also acknowledged as a gifted watercolor teacher, having taught at Blackhawk College and other venues. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, where she studied English and writing. Since 1995 Sharon, her husband, and their three children have called Iowa their home. They now grow crops and care for a menagerie of animals on their Long Grove acreage. She’s a member of the Beaux Arts executive committee, which helps support the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa. She’s the illustrator of a children’s book titled Cock-a-Doodle Don’t, But Cock-a-Doodle Do and is the author of the eBook Growing Beautiful. To see her recent work or to request a painting, visit slarsonwatercolors.com or follow S. Larson Watercolors on Facebook.

Bonus! Children’s Book by Christine Guzzo Vickery

Persis is a teenaged, Barred Owl who lives in a charming neighborhood called Owl’s Head, which is lined with big shade trees where there are lots of places for owls to live. It has beautiful old houses of many sizes, shapes and colors. And, there are interesting furry, feathered and human friends for owls to meet. Come along with Persis on a special trip around the neighborhood as she introduces three owlets to some interesting characters on an October night.

This fictitious story takes place in a historic Des Moines neighborhood that really does exist. Persis is named after a young girl, Persis Robertson, who grew up in Owl’s Head. Dandy, the dog you’ll meet, was a resident of Owl’s Head for many years. Cutie the Norwegian Forest Cat didn’t live in Owl’s Head but she was a real Norwegian Forest Cat who was friends with Dandy.

Others who are mentioned and lived (or currently live) in the neighborhood include Mary Ann Riley, who lived in Owl’s Head and was a journalist for the Des Moines Register; Frank Miller, a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist and former Owl’s Head resident; and the Archers who have lived in the neighborhood longer than any other residents.

Drake, the English Bulldog, is named after a boy who lives in Owl’s Head and attends Drake University. And, of course, residents of Owl’s Head will recognize other names throughout the book.