Old Capitol
Building at the University of Iowa. Added to the National Register in 1972, and a National Historic Landmark.
.jpg/960px-12.27.2010_-frosted_pentacrest-_346_365_(5309174103).jpg)
What it is
The Iowa Old Capitol Building is located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It was once the main government building for the state of Iowa, and it now stands as the most prominent landmark at the center of the University of Iowa's campus. The building was depicted on the 1946 Iowa Centennial commemorative half dollar. It was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1972, and it was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1976. In 1978 it was included as a contributing property in the Pentacrest, a historic district listed on the NRHP.
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The record
| Property type | Building |
| Address | University of Iowa campus, Iowa City, IA |
| County | Johnson County |
| Listed | May 31, 1972 |
| Listed for | Politics and government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Also known as | Third Capitol of the Territory of Iowa; First Capitol of the |
| Reference number | 72000475 |
| Architect | John F. Rague |
| Type of place | building |
| Style | Greek Revival architecture |
| Designations | National Historic Landmark |
| Contributing resources | 1 building |
| Standing | Yes |
The nomination form, the document that argues why this place matters, is in the National Archives: Read the nomination ↗
Visiting
| Address | University of Iowa campus, Iowa City, IA |
| Coordinates | 41.6613° N, 91.5362° W · Directions ↗ |
| Also in Iowa City | 79 listed places in Iowa City → · walking tour → |
| Nearest national park unit | Herbert Hoover National Historic Site · 10 miles · on Park Atlas |
| Federal campgrounds nearby | Tailwater West Day Use Area 4 miles · Tailwater West Campground 4 miles · Cottonwood Campground (Ia) 4 miles |
Explore
Drawings & photographs
Measured drawings and photographs from the Library of Congress. Public domain. All 1 record ↗
Map
Nearby in Johnson County
_-_cropped.jpg/960px-Congregational_United_Church_of_Christ_(Iowa_City%2C_Iowa)_-_cropped.jpg)
Local history books for Iowa City
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Guidebooks to historic places and travel in Iowa
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
When was Old Capitol listed on the National Register?
May 31, 1972. It is also a National Historic Landmark, the higher of the two designations.
Source: National Park Service
Who designed Old Capitol?
John F. Rague, working in the Greek Revival architecture style.
Source: Wikidata
Can I visit Old Capitol?
Yes. Old Capitol is recorded as open to the public.
Source: Wikidata
Where is Old Capitol?
University of Iowa campus, Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa. The nearest national park unit is Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, 10 miles away.
Are there historic photographs or drawings of Old Capitol?
Yes. The Historic American Buildings Survey at the Library of Congress has drawings or photographs of it.
Source: Library of Congress
Where is the nomination form for Old Capitol?
The National Archives holds the nomination form, the document that made the case for listing.
Source: National Archives
Are there campgrounds near Old Capitol?
Three federal campgrounds are within reach. The closest is Tailwater West Day Use Area, 4 miles away. Tailwater West Campground is 4 miles away, and Cottonwood Campground (Ia) is 4 miles away.
Source: Campsite Atlas
Is there cell service at Old Capitol?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the listed point. Coverage indoors and behind old masonry is another matter.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Sources
Location, type and contributing counts come from the National Park Service's National Register spatial data. Listing dates come from the National Register office's spreadsheet where it carries the listing. Construction date, architect, style, photograph and encyclopedia link come from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons, matched on reference number 72000475. Nothing here is transcribed by hand. The nomination form and photographs ↗ at NPGallery are the original nomination as filed with the National Park Service, and the form is often the best description of the place. The description under "What it is" is the opening of the Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA. Drawings and photographs are Historic American Buildings Survey records at the Library of Congress, public domain.