US-3431603 Iowa Old Capitol Building

The Iowa Old Capitol Building is located in Iowa City. It was once the main government building for the state of Iowa and it now stands as the most prominent landmark at the centre of the University of Iowa's campus. It is a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

The cornerstone of the Old Capitol Building was laid on July 4, 1840. The building was completed in 1842.  At this time Iowa was still a territory and the Territorial Legislatures met in the Old Capitol Building.  On December 28, 1846 Iowa was admitted into the United States as the 29th state of the union. Iowa City was declared the state capital of Iowa and the government convened in the Old Capitol Building.

After ten years of housing the government in Iowa City, the state decided to move the state capital to Des Moines, a city located more toward the centre of the state. When the state government moved to Des Moines in 1857, the Old Capitol Building became the first permanent building owned by the University of Iowa.

This postcard came from Katie (30 June 2015) Postcrossing.