Ola Babcock Miller Building
Ola Babcock Miller Building, Beaux-Arts government building in Des Moines, United States.
The Ola Babcock Miller Building is a government building in Des Moines featuring Beaux-Arts architecture with a limestone facade, Ionic columns, and a central dome. Three projecting pavilions frame the entrance at 1112 E Grand Avenue, creating a formal and balanced appearance.
Construction took place between 1898 and 1910, and the building originally housed the State Historical Department. This department had previously occupied just three rooms within the Iowa State Capitol.
The building carries the name of Ola Babcock Miller, who became Iowa's first female Secretary of State. This recognition reflects how the state honors influential political figures through its public structures.
Access is generally available on weekdays, with parking available in the lot directly north of the building. The formal architectural style and nearby downtown streets are worth exploring when visiting the area.
The central pavilion follows a Greek cross layout with a raised basement featuring rusticated stone for visual depth. Hollow tiles form the upper limestone walls, demonstrating an unusual building technique that keeps the structure lighter.
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