U.S.A. - New Jersey - State Capitol

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY
Located in the cultural Delaware River region, this New Jersey State Capitol, is the second oldest state capitol in continuous use.  Trenton was the site where George Washington attacked the Hessians on Christmas Day.  The Trent House, the Old Barracks, the State Museum / Planetarium and the State House stand as reminders of the historic significance of this town.

Sent by Pany from Trenton, USA.

The New Jersey State House is located in Trenton and is the capitol building for the U.S. state of New Jersey. Built in 1790, it is the second-oldest state house in continuous legislative use in the United States; only the After the Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis is older. The building is currently home to both chambers of the New Jersey Legislature (the New Jersey Senate and the New Jersey General Assembly), as well as offices for the Governor of New Jersey, Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey and several state government departments. (read further)

U.S.A. - Alabama - State Capitol

ALABAMA STATE CAPITOL AT NIGHT
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

Sent by Kel & Kylee from Montgomery, USA.

The Alabama State Capitol, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the First Confederate Capitol, is the state capitol building for Alabama. It is located on Capitol Hill, originally Goat Hill, in Montgomery. It was declared a National Historic Landmark on December 19, 1960.

Alabama has had five political capitals during its history. The first was the territorial capital in St. Stephens in 1817, followed by the state convention in Huntsville in 1819, then the first "permanent" capital in Cahaba in 1820. It was then moved to Tuscaloosa in 1826, until coming to rest in Montgomery in 1846. The current structure is the state's fourth purpose-built capitol building, with the first at Cahaba, the second at Tuscaloosa, and the last two in Montgomery. The first capitol building in Montgomery, located where the current building stands, burned after only two years. The current building was completed in 1851, although additional wings were added over the course of the following 140 years. (read further)

U.S.A. - New Mexico - State Capitol

NEW MEXICO STATE CAPITOL
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
The New Mexico State Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, is the only round capitol building in the country.  The building was designed to resemblethe Zia Sun Symbol when viewed from above, with four entrance wings that protrude from the main cylindrical volume.

Sent by Jennifer from Santa Fe, New Mexico.

U.S.A. - Wyoming - State Capitol

State Capitol, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Sent by Camellia from Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA.

The Wyoming State Capitol is the state capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Wyoming. Built between 1886 and 1890, the capitol is located in Cheyenne and contains the chambers of the Wyoming State Legislature and well as the office of the Governor of Wyoming. It was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark during 1987.

The construction of the capitol began prior to Wyoming gaining statehood. Born in 1867 in the path of the transcontinental railroad, the Union Pacific crews arrived as they laid the tracks westward. Cheyenne soon laid claim to a higher status than older Wyoming settlements such as those at Fort Laramie, Fort Bridger, and the mining town of South Pass City, changing Cheyenne from a village to a city in a matter of months. The seat of the new Territorial government was established in Cheyenne in 1869. (read further)

U.S.A - Nebraska - State Capitol

THE NEBRASKA STATE CAPITOL
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
The Nebraska State Capitol, with its 400-foot tower, is topped by the 32-foot bronze statue of "The Sower".

Sent by Charlene, from Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Nebraska State Capitol, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, houses the primary executive, judicial, and legislative offices of the U.S. State of Nebraska.

The structure is anchored by a three-story, 437-foot (133 m) square base. This square base houses offices most frequently visited by the public. The second floor (main floor) is home to the Nebraska Supreme Court, the Nebraska Court of Appeals, and the Nebraska Legislature.

From the center of the base, a tower rises 362 feet (110 m), crowned by a gold-tiled dome. The spire—The Sower and its pedestal—add an additional 32 feet (9.8 m) to the building’s height. Common measurements list the capitol at 400 feet (120 m), making it the second-tallest U.S statehouse, surpassed only by the 450-foot (140 m) Louisiana State Capitol.

As the tower was intended for expansion of the Nebraska State Library, the 17-foot (5.2 m) tower floors were originally designed to include loft-like stacks for book storage. By 1925, with government increasing in size, the State of Nebraska decided to redesign the tower to house offices. Tower floors continue to house various offices today.

In total, there are 15 full floor stories in the capitol (three mezzanines also exist within the tower). The 14th floor, Memorial Chamber, is the highest publicly accessible level. At this level, four observatory decks offer views of Lincoln from 245 feet (75 m) above the ground.

Chapter 27.56 of the Lincoln Municipal Code places height restrictions on structures within the designated Capitol Environs District. This code helps to maintain the capitol’s title as the tallest building in Lincoln. The capitol held the title of tallest building in Nebraska until 1969 with the completion of the 478-foot (146 m) Woodmen Tower in downtown Omaha. With the completion of Omaha’s 634-foot (193 m) First National Bank Tower in 2002, the capitol became the third-tallest building in Nebraska.

The building was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who drew upon Classical and Gothic architectural traditions. It was constructed between 1922 and 1932, of Indiana limestone. (Source)

U.S.A. - Kansas - State Capitol Building

The Kansas State Capitol, built 1866-1903, draws visitors because of its architecture, its interesting dome, and the John Steuart Curry mural, "The Settlement of Kansas," with John Brown as its central figure, sitting atop the dome is a 22' 2" statue "Ad Astra" sculpted by Salina artist Richard Bergen. Facing the North Star to guide travelers, as was common when the Kansa Indians lived here; Ad Astra means "To the stars thru difficulties."

Sent by Shirley from Topeka, Kansas, USA.

The Kansas State Capitol, known also as the Kansas Statehouse, is the building housing the executive and legislative branches of government for the U.S. state of Kansas. It is located in the city of Topeka which has served as the capital of Kansas since it became a state in 1861. This is only the second building to serve as the Kansas Capitol.

A large mural in the east wing, painted by Kansan John Steuart Curry, is centered on an image of abolitionist John Brown. This is believed to be the only instance of a person convicted of treason being featured in a state capitol.

The dome, at 304 ft (93 m), is taller than the 288 ft (88 m) United States Capitol dome although its diameter (50 ft (15 m)) is approximately half the national capitol (96 ft (29 m)). It is one of the few capitols in the United States that continues to offer tours that go to the top of the dome. The dome is, however, temporarily closed to visitors until 2012, as the Statehouse is undergoing extensive renovations. Visitors enter the dome by climbing 296 steps leading from the fifth floor to the top. (read further)

U.S.A. - West Virginia - State Capitol Building (2)

West Virginia State Capitol
West Virginia State Capitol building is made of buff limestone and is surrounded by a variety of West Virginia hardwood trees. The 293 foot high gold leaf dome is five feet higher than the United States Capitol dome.

Sent by Laura from Charleston, West Virginia, USA.

U.S.A. - Idaho - State Capitol Building

BOISE, IDAHO
Finished in 1920, it is the only state capitol building heated with geothermal hot water. The exterior walls were constructed of natural sandstone plentiful to the area. Large shade trees and manicured gardens add color and beauty to this magnificent structure. 

Sent by Tracy from Boise, Idaho, USA.

The Idaho State Capitol, located in Boise, is the home of the government of the state of Idaho. In 1863, Lewiston, Idaho was the original site of the capitol until Boise was made the capital of the state in 1890 - also the year when President Benjamin Harrison signed Idaho into statehood. A few years after Idaho gained statehood the construction on the original capitol building began in the summer of 1906. The architects who developed the building were John E. Tourtellotte and Charles Hummel. Tourtellotte was a Connecticut native whose career began in Massachusetts and skyrocketed further when he moved to Boise. Hummel was a German immigrant who partnered up with Tourtellotte in 1903 and after they finished the capitol they relocated to Portland, Oregon. The final cost of the building was approximately $2,098,455.05 and it was completed in 1920. The architects used several different materials to construct the building and their architecture was inspired by various sources and cultures. (read further)

U.S.A. - Oklahoma - State Capitol Building

OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL
OKLAHOMA CITY
Situated among working oil wells on old Route 66, the Oklahoma State Capitol building is now complete with a concrete dome 87 years after the building's construction in 1915.

Sent by Lisa from Oklahoma City, USA.

The Oklahoma State Capitol is the house of government of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is the building that houses the Oklahoma Legislature and executive branch offices. It is located along Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City. The present structure includes a dome that was completed in 2002. The building is a National Historic Landmark.

Oklahoma's first state capital was Guthrie, Oklahoma, but was moved to Oklahoma City in 1910. Construction began on the Oklahoma State Capitol in 1914 and was completed in 1917. Originally, it housed the judicial branch of Oklahoma, but the state's high courts moved to the Oklahoma Judicial Center in 2011.

The state capitol complex is the only state capitol grounds in the United States with active oil rigs.(read further)

U.S.A. - Arkansas - State Capitol Building

ARKANSAS STATE CAPITOL
LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS
Constructed from 1899 to 1915, Arkansas' State Capitol is a scaled down replica of our nation's capitol in Washington, D.C.

Sent by Terry from Sherwood, Arkansas, USA.

The Arkansas State Capitol Building, located in Little Rock, is the main house of government of the state of Arkansas.

In 1899, the St. Louis architect George R. Mann visited the governor of Arkansas Daniel W. Jones, and presented his drawings of his winning competition design for the Montana State Capitol, which had not been built. They were hung on the walls of the old Capitol to generate interest in a new building. The drawings' attractiveness eased the passage of the bills for the new building, and also drew attention to the architect. In 1899, Mann was selected as architect by a seven-member commission that included future governor George W. Donaghey. Donaghey opposed Mann's selection and advocated a national design competition, but the majority of the commission voted for Mann. After Donaghey was elected governor in 1908, he forced Mann off the project and selected Cass Gilbert to finish the Capitol.

Construction took 16 years, from 1899 to 1915. The Capitol was built on the site of the state penitentiary and prisoners helped construct the building. They lived in a dormitory that was left on the Capitol grounds while construction was taking place.

The Capitol foundations were aligned incorrectly by their original builder, future Governor George Donaghey. He centered the building on the centerline of Fifth Street (now Capitol Avenue), but he aligned the building north-south using the still-standing penitentiary walls as a guide without recognizing that Fifth Street was not aligned east-west; like other "east-west" downtown Little Rock streets, it runs parallel to the Arkansas River at a slight angle off true east-west. Therefore, the structure is situated in a north-south manner from end-to-end, which does not fit the grid street pattern of Little Rock's downtown. This also led to a slight S-curve in the formal entrance walkway between the foot of Capitol Avenue and the front steps of the Capitol. (Source)

U.S.A. - Pennsylvania - State Capitol Building

Harrisburg was incorporated as a borough in 1791. Located along the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg was chosen as the state capital in 1812.

Sent by Jaime from Pennsylvania, USA.

The Pennsylvania State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is in downtown Harrisburg. It was designed in 1902 in a Beaux-Arts style with Renaissance themes throughout. The capitol houses the chambers for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Harrisburg chambers for the Supreme and Superior Courts of Pennsylvania, as well as the offices of the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor. It is also the main building of thePennsylvania State Capitol Complex.

The seat of government for the state was originally in Philadelphia, then was relocated to Lancaster in 1799 and finally to Harrisburg in 1812. The current capitol, known as the Huston Capitol, is the third state capitol building to be built in Harrisburg. The first, the Hills Capitol, was destroyed in 1897 by a fire and the second, the Cobb Capitol, was left unfinished when funding was discontinued in 1899.

Joseph Miller Huston designed the current capitol, dedicated in 1906. After its completion, the capitol project was the subject of agraft scandal. The construction and subsequent furnishing cost three times more than the General Assembly had appropriated for the project. Huston and four others were convicted of graft in relation to costs of the total project.

The capitol is often referred to as a "palace of art" because of its many sculptures, murals and stained-glass windows, most of which use Pennsylvania themes or were made by Pennsylvanians. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Starting in 1982, the restoration of the capitol has been ongoing. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006; the boundaries were expanded to include the Capitol Complex in 2013 with the capitol a contributing property. (Source)

U.S.A. - California - State Capitol Building (2)

STATE CAPITOL AND FOUNTAIN
- SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
Amid botanical specimens brought from all over the world, the fountain forms a scenic setting for California's State Capitol Building.

Sent by Eugene, a postcrosser from California, USA.

U.S.A. - Colorado - State Capitol Building

Capitol Building
Denver, Colorado

Sent by Debbie from Hugo, Colorado, U.S.A.

The Colorado State Capitol Building, located at 200 East Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado, is the home of the Colorado General Assembly and the offices of the Governor of Colorado and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado. The building is intentionally reminiscent of theUnited States Capitol. Designed by Elijah E. Myers, it was constructed in the 1890s from Colorado white granite, and opened for use in November 1894. The distinctive gold dome consists of real gold plate, first added in 1908, commemorating the Colorado Gold Rush. The building is part of Denver's Civic Center area.

Serving as the beginning of the Capitol Hill district, the historic building sits slightly higher than the rest of downtown Denver. The main entrance hall is open 180 feet (55 m) to the top of the dome, about the height of an 18-story building. Additionally, the official elevation of Denver is measured outside the west entrance to the building, where the fifteenth step is engraved with the words "One Mile Above Sea Level." From this step, at 5,280 feet (1,609 m), the sun can be seen setting behind the Rocky Mountains. A second mile high marker was set in the 18th step in 1969 when Colorado State University students resurveyed the elevation. In 2003, a more accurate measurement was made with modern means, and the 13th step was identified as being one mile (1.6 km) high, where a 3rd marker was installed.

The interior of the building uses copious amounts of Colorado Rose Onyx, a rare rose marble from a quarry near Beulah, Colorado. The amount used in the building consumed the entire known supply. White Yule Marble from the quarries near Marble, Colorado was also used throughout the capitol for the floors. Many designs have been found in the marble including an image resembling George Washington and another of Molly Brown. 

A major safety upgrade project, funded by the Colorado State Historical Fund, was started in 2001 and completed in 2009.  The design by Fentress Architects added modern safety features, like enclosed stair towers, that blend in with the original architecture. 

Many of the windows are stained glass, depicting people or events related to the history of Colorado. The halls are decorated with portraits of every president of the United States. One of the contractors for the construction of the Colorado State Capitol building was Illinois building contractor William Douglas Richardson, who was the president of the W. D. Richardson Construction Company. Richardson had participated in numerous major building contracts throughout the United States, and was interconnected with the Jacob Bunn and John Whitfield Bunn network of corporations.(Source)

USA - West Virginia - State Capitol Building (1)

State Capitol
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, the state capital is located in the Kanawha River valley. It is west Virginia's largest city. The capitol building, completed in 1932, was designed by Cass Gilbert. Its shiny dome, covered in gold leaf, is 292 feet high and from the center of the gold dome hangs a rock crystal chandelier weighing 2 tons.

Sent by Lisa, a postcrosser from West Virginia.

The West Virginia State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. state of West Virginia, and houses the West Virginia Legislature and the office of the Governor of West Virginia. Located in Charleston, West Virginia, the building was dedicated in 1932. Along with the West Virginia Executive Mansion it is part of the West Virginia Capitol Complex, a historic district listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.

Prior to the American Civil War, the counties that would ultimately form West Virginia were a part of the state of Virginia; the state capitol was in Richmond, Virginia. After Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, the northwest counties of Virginia loyal to the United States started the process which would ultimately create the State of West Virginia on June 20, 1863.

Settling on a state capital location, however, proved to be difficult. For several years, the capital of West Virginia intermittently traveled between Wheeling and Charleston. In 1877, however, the state's citizens voted on the final location of their capital. Charleston was chosen and, eight years later, the first capitol building was opened. After a fire in 1921, a hastily-built structure was opened but it too burned down in 1927. 

A Capitol Building Commission, created by the Legislature in 1921, authorized construction of the present capitol. Architect Cass Gilbert designed the buff limestone structure that was to have a final cost of just under $10 million. After the three stages of construction were completed, Governor William G. Conley dedicated the capitol on June 20, 1932.

Gilbert liked his design of the West Virginia chamber's interior so well that he reused part of the design for the United States Supreme Court. The U.S. chamber is a larger version of the one found in the West Virginia Capitol's East Wing.

USA - Florida - Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
Home of the state's Capitol, Florida State University and Florida A&M University.

Sent by Kelly from Tallahassee, Florida.

This is from Wikipedia : Tallahassee (/ˌtæləˈhæsi/) is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 181,376 , and the Tallahassee metropolitan area is 367,413..

Tallahassee is one of Florida's most prominent college cities, and is home to several colleges and universities, most notably Florida State University and Florida A&M University. The Florida A&M University – Florida State University College of Engineering is a joint project of the two institutions. Other schools in Tallahassee include Tallahassee Community College and branches of Saint Leo University, Thomas University, Keiser University, Barry University, and Flagler College.

Tallahassee is a regional center for trade and agriculture in the Florida Panhandle, and is served by Tallahassee Regional Airport. With one of the fastest growing manufacturing and high tech economies in Florida, its major private employers include a General Dynamics Land Systems manufacturing facility (military and combat applications), the Municipal Code Corporation, which specializes in the publication of municipal and county legal references; and a number of national law firms, lobbying organizations, trade associations and professional associations, including the Florida Bar and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. It is recognized as a regional center for scientific research, and is home to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, the largest and highest-powered magnet research laboratory in the world.

USA - Kentucky - Frankfort

FRANKFORT
Kentucky State Capitol
Situated on a hill overlooking Frankfort, Kentucky's State Capitol was completed in 1910 and features seventy lonic columns. Frankfort has served as the state capital since 1792.

Sent by Christi from Kentucky.

This is from Wikipedia : The Kentucky State Capitol is located in Frankfort and is the seat of the three branches (executive, legislative, judicial) of the state government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

From 1792 to 1830, Kentucky had two buildings serve as the capitol. Both burned down.

In 1830, a new capitol was built and was in use until 1910. A bitterly contested 1899 state governor election came to a climax when Democratic claimant William Goebel was assassinated at the capitol on his way to be inaugurated. The building was replaced due to the need for a larger building for a growing state government. Today, that capitol building is a museum.

In 1904, the Kentucky General Assembly chose Frankfort (over Lexington and Louisville) as the location for the state capital and appropriated $1 million for the construction of a permanent state capitol building, to be located in southern Frankfort.

The capitol was designed by Frank Mills Andrews, a distinguished and award-winning architect. He used the Beaux-Arts style and included many classical French interior designs. The staircases, for example, are replicas of those that appear in the Opéra Garnier in Paris.

USA - Washington D.C. - U.S. Capitol Building

WASHINGTON D.C.
U.S. Capitol Building.

Sent by Roger, a postcrosser from Washington D.C., USA.

This is from Wikipedia : The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the Federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall. Though not in the geographic center of the District of Columbia, the Capitol is the origin by which the quadrants of the District are divided. Officially, both the east and west sides of the Capitol are referred to as "fronts." Historically, however, only the east front of the building was intended for the arrival of visitors and dignitaries.

USA - South Dakota - State Capitol

SOUTH DAKOTAMarble balustrades, scagiola pillars, stained glass skylights and mosaic floors lavish the rotunda of South Dakota's state capitol in Pierre. Today, this striking limestone structure looks much as it did when it was completed in 1910 and is one of the most fully restored state capitols in the United States.

Sent by Karen, a Swap-Bot partner from Rapid City in South Dakota, USA.

USA - Iowa - State Capitol

The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines signifies the prodigious spirit of Iowa. Built between 1871 and 1886, this magnificent building represents both inside and out, one of the nation's finest examples of 19th century architecture.

Sent by Renee from Iowa, USA.

USA - Michigan - State Capitol

On January 26, 1837, Michigan was the 26th state admitted to the Union. The State Capitol, erected in 1879, houses the legislative and administrative branches of state government. Visitors are welcome to tour the building located in Lansing, Michigan.

Sent by James from Macomb in Michigan, USA.