View of the Northwest corner, the scaffolding is completed up the carvings on the Pediment over the West Entrance.

View from Downtown Des Moines Iowa looking toward the West Front of the Capital.

Existing Eagle Panel on the South face of the West Front, clearing showing heavy erosion on the body and left wing.  Their where 2 of these panels 1 on each side of the West Front.

All the stone embellishments on the Iowa State capital are part of the load bearing façade.  Since only the Carved stones needed to be replaced, the Ashlar was made of a different material and was in good condition, part of the existing stone remained to carry the load.

This picture shows how the existing stone was removed angling from the top, back into the building at approximately 45 degrees.  The angle helped 'engage" the new stone with the load bearing existing stones.

Closer view of the deteriorating Native Iowa Sandstone.

North corner of the East Front.  This picture no only shows the deteriorating Sandstones but also shows the Gunite that was applied on many of the surfaces in an attempt to "save" the sandstone.  The Gunite is the "Pancake Batter" material that was applies to the face of the Cornice.

Here you can see the Master Mason using "Slips & Wedges" or sometimes called "Pins & Feathers" to remove the old Sandstone.

This is the replacement panel on the South face West Front for the Eagle pictured above carved from Indiana Limestone.

In the left side background you can see an existing panel of a second eagle that was also Carved for the project.

New keystone, Arch and Cornice installed.

Heavy deteriorating Iowa Sandstone.  You can see how the finished smooth surfaces are peeling away like paint.

The carvings above partially modeled during the carving process.

Main pediment carvings representing transportation, Knowledge, Liberty, Justice and Agriculture.

This is an existing Pilaster Capital with original construction Dutchman

This is a close up of the new Eagle Carved form Indiana Limestone.

This is the Pediment being reassembled prior to duplication.

Lower level Cornice and Brackets after being replaced with Indiana Limestone.

This photograph shows the original Sandstone Eagle behind the new Limestone Carving.  You can see the drill holes across the center of the old panel, this was required for removal of the old piece from within the Ashlar field that it was installed in.

This picture is the South side of the East front.

Here is a compound corner Pilaster with the left half replaced and the larger right half original sandstone.  You can see the entire scroll on the original sandstone has broken away.

New Eagle Panel installed on the North Face of the West front.

Brackets and Rosettes with all detail eroded away.

Another picture of the stone shown above.

New Shield Panel installed on the side face of the West Front.

Another view of Deteriorating Sandstone Bracket and Rosettes.

West Front of the Iowa State capital during demolition.

Deterioration of small Capitals located at the corners of the Small Corner Domes.

Installing arch stones on the North Face of the West Front.

Iowa Capital Pilaster bases being demoed for new "Horseshoe" bases.

More deteriorated Sandstone.

Existing Full Round Capital with entire Scrolls missing on 2 sides.  Because pieces of sandstone weight 20 - 30 pounds could fall from the building at anytime all ingress and egress paths to the Capital had to have a covered steel canopy to protect pedestrians.

Another view of Pilaster bases being demoed.

We replaced a few hundred (all of them) of the Balusters that ran along the roof line of the Capital.  These were made of Terracotta.

Masons removing Sandstone bases.

Another view of Demoed Pilaster bases.

Sandstone chimney missing large pieces at each corner.

Another photo of Sandstone Capitals with large pieces missing.

Demoed arches waiting for the installation of freshly carved Indiana Limestone.

These are Urns located at each corner of the 4 small domes that surround the main rotunda of the Iowa Capital.

Original Full Round Capitals showing undamaged detail that was protected under the West front Pediment. Even though the Sandstone was protected under this canopy the face that was exposed to the sun and rain still melted away.

New Balusters, Railing and Chimney fabricated from Indiana Limestone.

Another view of the deteriorating Sandstone Urns.

New Indiana Limestone Pilaster Capitals, Cornice, Brackets and Balusters installed.

New Limestone Arch and Capitals.

Looking up from the lower roof towards the main Rotunda before restoration.

This view is from the ground looking up towards the lower level Capitals and arches carved from Limestone.

One of the 4 small Domes located at each corner of the Capital before restoration.

To the left is original Sandstone Cornice to the right is a new Limestone Cornice.

West Front Iowa State Capital, at this part of the Pediment carvings have been removed.

Iowa Capital looking Southwest.

North Elevation of the West Front.

West Front wrapped in scaffolding.

View showing how the gutter came through the Cornice and around the corner Pilaster Caps.  Notice the large amount of deterioration, many of the rosettes are completely gone.

Closer view of the picture to the left.