Des Moines History Timeline 2000s

1700-1849 | 1850-1869 | 1870 | 1880 | 1890 | 1900 | 1910 | 1920 | 1930 | 1940 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020

March 25 - The Woodmont Library is dedicated. It is the second Des Moines library in the King County Library System.
April 1 - The 2000 Federal Census counted 29,267 residents in Des Moines.
September 1 - Des Moines Ordinance 1270 annexed the Redondo Riviera neighborhood.

February 28 — At 10:54 a.m. local time, the magnitude 6.8 Nisqually Earthquake struck the Puget Sound region. Strong shaking was felt throughout Des Moines and King County for nearly 45 seconds. The earthquake caused approximately $2 billion in damage statewide, making it the costliest earthquake in Washington history and prompting extensive seismic upgrades to public infrastructure. Because most Des Moines homes were wood-frame structures, damage was generally moderate compared to older masonry buildings elsewhere in the region. Several buildings at Des Moines Beach Park were damaged.
March 7 — Master Police Officer Steven J. Underwood of the Des Moines Police Department was shot and killed while attempting to question four individuals on Pacific Highway South. Underwood recognized one of the men as the subject of an outstanding warrant. The suspect, Charles Sydney Champion Jr., opened fire, fatally wounding the officer. Underwood became the first and so far the only Des Moines police officer to be killed in the line of duty. The convicted gunman was later sentenced to nearly 34 years in prison.

The Des Moines Beach Park Dining Hall was closed after earthquake and flood-related damage, beginning a long preservation and rehabilitation period.

Des Moines Beach Park Historic District, the former Covenant Beach Bible Camp, was designated as a Des Moines/King County landmark. The King County landmark list gives the district’s construction period as 1917–1931 and its designation year as 2005.

January 11 - Governor Christine Gregoire joined the city in commemorating the listing of Des Moines Beach Park / Covenant Beach Bible Camp Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register reference number is 05000313.