Scott's Grave

Wilson Alexander Scott, 1818-1859, once told friends: "When I die I want to be buried here, where I stand..." Scott's wish came true, years later. He was buried on a bluff overlooking Des Moines. Scott's gravesite is the only burial plot on the Iowa State Capitol Complex.

In 1855 Scott and other speculators offered 10 acres of land and promised to build a temporary Capitol if the state chose their side of the Des Moines River for the new State Capitol site. After a fierce struggle between east-side and west-side interests, the state accepted the Scott group's donation.

Scott died in 1859 en route to Colorado, seeking gold. His body was brought back to Des Moines and buried him according to his request. In 1923 the present marker was installed and is part of the Monuments and Memorials Tour.

Previous articles in the series:
Allison Monument
American Revolution
Bicentennial Fountain
Bicentennial Time Capsule
Centennial Time Capsule
Christopher Columbus Memorial
Cornerstone
Crocker Memorial
Daniel Cooper Memorial Tree
Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Flagpole
Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Memorial Bench
Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Sundial
Great Seal of Iowa
Japanese Bell and Bell House
Korean War Memorial
Liberty Bell
Lincoln and Tad
Martin Luther King, Jr. Tree
Memorial Bench
Mortar
Parrot Rifle
Peace Pole
Pioneer Statuary Group and Buffalo Head Drinking Fountain
Purple Heart Combat Veterans