When the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad arrived in Ottumwa in September 1859, it ran parallel to the river channel. The availability of rail transportation encouraged both commercial and industrial expansion along the northwest to southeast axis. Access to the south bank of the river at first was by ferry from the foot of Green Street. By 1875 this ferry had been replaced by a bridge, and a number of additions had been made to the city during the first thirty years, all located on the north side of the Des Moines River. As development (almost exclusively residential) climbed the bluffs, the streets on top of the hills were laid out to compass points, rather than parallel to the river. Although there was some development on the south side of the river, South Ottumwa was not brought into the city limits until the 1880s.
when the burlington and missouri river railroad arrived in ottumwa in september 1859 it ran parallel to the river channel the availability of rail transportation encouraged both commercial and industrial expansion along the northwest to southeast axis access to the south bank of the river at first was by ferry from the foot of green street by 1875 this ferry had been replaced by a bridge and a number of additions had been made to the city during the first thirty years all located on the north side of the des moines river as development (almost exclusively residential) climbed the bluffs the streets on top of the hills were laid out to compass points rather than parallel to the river although there was some development on the south side of the river south ottumwa was not brought into the city limits until the 1880s