About the Westward Mural

The Westward Mural , by Edwin Howland Blashfield, extends the full width of the east wall over the staircase in the Iowa State Capital.  It is an idealized representation depicting early pioneers traveling through Iowa. Pioneers are led across the West by Spirits of Enlightenment, symbolized by the air-borne female holding an open book, and Civilization, symbolized by similar figures sowing grain. The Spirits of Stream and Electricity, holding a steam engine and electric generator, respectively, follow the prairie schooner.

Why are we so excited about the mural? Take a closer look, dead center of the painting.  See it?   Dogs!  Of course the westward migration of America was not complete without the faithful, useful dogs at our sides.   

Every time we step into our capital building, we stop, pause and focus our energy on preserving our rights to own, breed and love the dogs that helped make our state the great state it is today.