John E & Barb Long Street

​In 2023, West Des Moines honored longtime community advocates Johnny and Barbara Long by naming a stretch of Maple Street in Valley Junction after them—the city's first honorary roadway and the first time Black residents were commemorated on city property.​

Johnny and Barbara Long were central figures in the Valley Junction neighborhood for decades. Johnny, known as “June Bug,” worked at the Marquette Cement Plant for 34 years, becoming Iowa’s first Black heavy equipment operator and later a foreman. Barbara served as the first director of Human Services for the City of West Des Moines. Together, they were founding members of the Valley Junction Residential Association, with Johnny serving as president. They also played a key role in establishing the Eddie Davis Community Center, named after Johnny’s grandfather, providing essential services to local families. In 2009, they were crowned Iowa’s Juneteenth King and Queen, recognizing their lifelong dedication to the community.​

The honorary roadway, spanning Maple Street from 1st to 14th Street, stands as a lasting tribute to the Longs’ commitment to preserving and uplifting their neighborhood.​