The History of the Iowa Capitol Building in Des Moines

Back in 1871, when the first earth was broken on a hill on Des Moines’ east side, the capitol was an expression of faith. In this segment is from Iowa PBS’s This Old Statehouse documentary, learn about the building of Iowa’s historic capitol building.

Back in 1871, when the first earth was broken on a hill on Des Moines’ east side, the capitol was an expression of faith, faith in the future of a state barely 25 years old, and faith in a union that had just survived its most serious test. Construction got off to a discouraging start when most of the foundation stones took on moisture and cracked in the frigid Iowa winter. The project’s first commissioners were discharged, their names chiseled from the cornerstone.  Iowa citian, Robert S. Finkbine was put in charge, and they started over.

During the thirty six years of construction, thousands of workers applied their specialized skills to the project. Some were Iowans, others came following the work from state to state, living in rented rooms and tenement houses, gathering each morning to listen for their craft to be called out.

By today’s standards their two-dollar-per-day compensation was paltry.  But from today’s perspective, their contribution was priceless, for they had a hand in helping a young state build its first permanent capitol.