The city was originally named Fort Des Moines, but the Fort was dropped in 1857. The name Des Moines is believed to be derived from the French Rivière des Moines, meaning River of the Monks. We visited this city in 2020, during covid times. Most of the places was closed due to Covid restrictions. We visited a couple of outdoor attractions, including the outside of the Capital building.
- Iowa Capital Building in Des Moines
- Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
- John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Iowa Capital Building in Des Moines – The Capital building was closed when we visited Des Moines in the month of October 2020. We walked around the magnificent building, admiring the shiny gold dome which can be seen from many vantage points across Des Moines.
The Iowa Capital building was constructed between 1871 and 1886, and is the only five-domed capitol in the country. The exterior of the building is entirely of stone with elaborate columns and handsomely designed cornices and capitals. Both front and back porticoes have pediments supported by 6 Corinthian columns each.
Iowa Capital Building in Des Moines, Golden Dome – The commanding feature is the central towering dome constructed of iron and brick and covered with thin sheets of pure 23-carat gold. There is a protective layer sealing the gold from the weather. The gold leafing was replaced in 1964–1965 and most recent regilding of the dome was carried out from 1998 to 1999, at a cost of about $482,000. The dome is surmounted by a lookout lantern that may be reached by long and winding stairs, and it terminates in a finial that is 275 ft (84 m) above the ground floor.
Iowa Capital Building in Des Moines, Soldiers and Sailors Monument – The monument commemorates the Iowans who fought during the Civil War. The monument was built in 1896 and dedicated in 1945. Both authentic and symbolic figures are portrayed. The figure of Victory is at the top of the 135-foot structure. Some well known Civil War generals and soldiers are depicted on the monument. On the east and west sides, noted Iowa generals and battle scenes are pictured along the base.
Iowa Capital Building in Des Moines, Shattering Silence Monument – The sculpture is adjacent to the building that houses the Iowa Supreme Court and at the top of the hill. It is in commemoration of the 170th anniversary of the landmark 1839 Iowa Territorial Supreme Court ruling that prohibited slave Ralph Montgomery from being extradited back to Missouri after he failed to raise the $550 he promised to pay to buy his freedom.
Iowa Supreme Court – This building, sits on a bluff overlooking downtown Des Moines, and is located two blocks south of the Capitol. Guided and self-guided tours of the building are available on week days.
Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens – features a 43.5′(L) x 24′ (W) x 37′(H) Asian pavilion that sits on more than two acres along the Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines. The garden is a symbol of diversity and appreciation for the contributions of Asian Americans in Iowa. Accented by stone pagodas, lanterns and sculptural rock formations, the Asian garden transports the strolling visitor to a picturesque Far Eastern paradise.
The Gardens not only highlight the importance of diversity in the community and acknowledges the contributions that Asian Americans have made to Iowa, but it also serves as a lasting monument honoring Robert D. Ray, Iowa governor from 1969 to 1983. Robert D. Ray was the first public official anywhere in the United States to offer the endangered Vietnamese Boat People a safe haven. This was an act worthy of being lionized and honored by this Asian garden in Des Moines.
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park – Opened in 2009, this 4.4 acre John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, is located in downtown Des Moines, and features an assortment of pieces from artists around the world. The 28-30 pieces of artwork has an estimated worth of $40 million.
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Rondinone’s Moonrise – his 2005 figurative sculptures, are eight-foot-high busts derived from masks. Modeled in clay before being cast in aluminum and painted, the sculptures reveal the enduring marks of the artist’s hand. Rondinone has long been interested in the subject of time, and he represents it here by the relationship between moon, tide, and calendar. These monumental visages, with playfully distorted faces that smile and grimace, convey a kind of fantasy, wonder and empathy in equal measure.
John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Jaume Plensa Nomade 2007 – describes individual letters as components that have little meaning on their own, but blossom into words, thoughts, and language when combined with other letters. Plensa’s letters offer a metaphor for human culture, in which a person alone has limited potential, but when formed into groups or societies, becomes stronger.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden – is a 12-acre garden located near downtown Des Moines, on the east bank of the Des Moines River. The conservatory has over a 1,200 different taxa from around the world in artistic settings designed to explore, explain and celebrate the majesty of the plant world. On the day we visited the place, it was closed due to covid restrictions.
