Capitol Park in Des Moines in Polk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Polk County World War I Memorial
Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 18, 2026
1. Polk County World War I Memorial
Erected in grateful remembrance of the men from Polk County, Iowa, who made the supreme sacrifice in the World War that government by the people shall be maintained and that liberty shall not perish from the earth.
Alfred Abegg • Iver Aase • Henry L. Acord • Lester Raymond Albaugh • Alva Preston Amrine • Earl Granville Anderson • William Richard Applegate • Delbert Ashel • Samuel W. Bailey • Alonzo F. Baldwin • Edwin Frederick Barnum • Richard Basili • Thomas Bell • James B. Bellizzi • Harold W. Benge • Lou Berry • Howard C. Best • William E. Bishop • Fred M. Black • Sylvain M. Block • Ernest Elmer Boatwright • Harry Boline • Samuel Henry Bridge, Jr. • Charles W. Brindley • John H. Burke • George H. Carse • Harry E. Chambers • Charles L. Charlton • Harold Hubert College • Emmett E. Collins • William H. Couch • Clifford Hamlin Craig • David Crawford • Harrison C. Critchett • Rodney Edward Crowley • Luther B. Dale • Frank Lacey Davis • Merle Davis • Neal Davis • Earl Dickey • William Edward Dodge • Marvin Dunn
Erected 1926.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I.
Location. 41° 36.039′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Laos (approx. half a mile away); Cambodia (approx. half a mile away); Hmong (approx. half a mile away); Governor Robert D. Ray, 1928-2018 (approx. half a mile away); Tai Dam (approx. 0.6 miles away); Vietnam (approx. 0.6 miles away); Robert D. Ray Asian Garden (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Robert D. Ray Asian Garden (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Moines.
More about this memorial. The memorial is also known as the Polk County Gold Star Memorial.
Regarding Polk County World War I Memorial. The memorial was designed by noted American sculptor Charles Henry Niehaus, and it reportedly cost about $75,000. In recent years, there have been plans to relocate the monument due to its location (heavy traffic area and lack of ADA-compliance).
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on November 9, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
