Iowa City in Johnson County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Old Stone Capitol
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
1. Old Stone Capitol Marker
of Iowa
out of stone quarried from
the banks of the
Iowa River
Occupied by
the Government of the
Territory of Iowa
from 1842 to 1846
and by
the Government of the
State of Iowa
from 1846 to 1857
This tablet is the gift of
the Class of 1924
Erected by University of Iowa Class of 1924.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.
Location. 41° 39.675′ N, 91° 32.174′ W. Marker is in Iowa City, Iowa, in Johnson County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of South Madison Street and West Iowa Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, under the west portico, just to the right of the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 North Clinton Street, Iowa City IA 52242, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Old Capitol (a few steps from this marker); In Memoriam (within shouting distance of this marker); Schaeffer Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Dental Building
this page online
Regarding The Old Stone Capitol. National Register of Historic Places #72000475; also contributing property, Pentacrest, National Register of Historic Places #78001230; also National Historic Landmark (1976). A joint resolution was passed in the first session of the Iowa Territorial Legislature to locate a permanent seat of government. The town of Iowa City was created and laid out as the permanent territorial capital of Iowa. An act was passed in 1841 officially moving the seat of government from Burlington to Iowa City. Walter Butler allowed them to use the old two-story Butler Hotel for a year before they moved into the unfinished stone Capitol.
Also see . . .
1. Iowa’s First State Capitol.
The walls of the Old Capitol were composed of porous Iowa(Submitted on March 23, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)limestone, giving the building a rough-hewn quality. The portico columns, pediment, bell housing, lantern (cupola), and dome are all wood, painted to imitate stone. For 16 years, the seat of government remained at Iowa City. That thriving town beheld 14 sessions of the Legislature. Iowa became a state in 1846, with Iowa City still the capital. However, there was a feeling that the seat of government should be near the center of the state. The capital of Iowa was moved to Des Moines in 1857.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 20212. Old Iowa Capitol (west portico)(marker visible between columns on right)
2. The Old Stone Capitol (Library of Congress photo).
The Old Stone Capitol, a former Iowa capitol building in Iowa City, Iowa that was the last capitol before statehood, when Iowa was a U.S. territory. The building now stands as the most prominent landmark at the center of the University of Iowa's campus. It was depicted on the 1946 Iowa Centennial commemorative half dollar.(Submitted on March 23, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021
3. Old Iowa Capitol (west elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 23, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
