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.

US-3263458 Iowa State Capitol

The Iowa State Capitol, seat of the Iowa General Assembly, is located in Iowa's capital city, Des Moines, and houses the Iowa Senate, Iowa House of Representatives, the Office of the Governor and the Offices of the Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer, and Secretary of State. The building also includes a chamber for the Iowa Supreme Court. The building was constructed between 1871 and 1886 and is the only five-domed capitol in the United States of America.

The Capitol is set atop a hill and offers a panoramic view of the Des Moines' downtown and the West Capitol Terrace. Various monuments and memorials are to its sides and front, including the Soldiers and Sailors' Monument and the Lincoln and Tad statue.

The architectural design of the Capitol, rectangular in form, with great windows and high ceilings, follows the traditional pattern of 19th century planning for public buildings. A modified and refined Renaissance style gives the impression of strength and dignity combined with utility.

This postcard came from Jenn (24 March 2015) Postcrossing.

SW AS-064 & WC 01-099 Iowa, USA

Iowa is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States, a region sometimes called the "American Heartland". Iowa is bordered by the Mississippi River on the east and the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River on the west; it is the only US state whose eastern and western borders are formed entirely by rivers.  In colonial times, Iowa was a part of French Louisiana.

After the Louisiana Purchase, settlers laid the foundation for an agriculture-based economy in the heart of the Corn Belt. In the latter half of the 20^th century, the economy has become more diversified. 

Iowa is the 26th most extensive in land area and the 30th most populous of the 50 United States. The population is just over 3 million.  Iowa’s capital and largest city is Des Moines.  It became the 29^th State of the USA on December 28, 1846.

This postcard from Tammy Odell (2 May 2014) Swap-bot shows the Map of Iowa, the State Flag, the State Bird (Goldfinch), the State Flower (Wild Rose) and two ears of corn. The second postcard is entitled 'Reflections" (30 March 2014).