One man and one woman sitting on a park bench in front of Waveland Trolley Loop

People walking around Waveland Trolley Loop monument

Des Moines Trolley Loop Interpretive Signage

People interacting with Waveland Trolley loop monument

Des Moines Trolly Loop ramp behind the monument

Waveland Trolley Monument

Located in Des Moines, IA

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Earl Short, the son of a former streetcar motorman in Des Moines, had a dream of developing a memorial to commemorate the end of the streetcar line at 49th Street and University Avenue in Des Moines. The line, which ran from 1901 to 1947, was used to bring golfers to the Waveland Golf Course.

Shive-Hattery was engaged in the Waveland Trolley Loop effort in 2017 by hosting a design charrette yielding a concept and cost opinion. The design team partnered with an interpretive writer, Jean Eells of E Resources to generate the interpretive panels to depict life in those days. Advanced concepts, a 3D model to yield renderings, video and microsite developed by the design team were instrumental in raising funds for the project.

The project has transform a dilapidated area into a park-like pedestrian space featuring an artistic, interactive streetcar sculpture positioned on a curved paver walkway mimicking the path of the streetcar loop.

The Des Moines Historical Society, the Des Moines Streetcar Friends and the Waveland Park Neighborhood Association worked together to ensure the historic trolley line is commemorated for future generations.