General Service Enterprise
Scott's Grave
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Willson Alexander Scott (1818-1859)
once told friends: "When I die, I want to be buried here,
where I stand..." Years later, Scott's wish was fulfilled,
on a bluff overlooking Des Moines. Scott's gravesite is the only
burial plot on the state capitol grounds.
In 1855, Scott and other speculators offered ten 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 four years later en route to Colorado, seeking
gold. His friends brought his body back to Des Moines and buried
him according to his request. In 1923, the present marker was
installed. |
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