We're Ready to Serve You Founded in 1881, incorporated in 1894, and named for James W. Grimes, former senator and third governor of the state of Iowa, Grimes today offers a friendly Midwestern atmosphere and a sense of community that brings people close together. Ideally located at the northwest threshold of the Des Moines Metropolitan region, Grimes enjoys easy access to the amenities of metropolitan life while maintaining all the advantages of a small hometown.