Another State House

Well, it finally happened...the government is shut down!!!  Monday we were supposed to go to work...we were told to go sightseeing instead.  As volunteers at wildlife refuges, once you are there you get to stay and wait it out.  NO WORK.  Our front gate is closed, only essential staff is present.

So we load up and drive to Baton Rouge to visit the State Capitol. The building was constructed in the 1930's during the time of the Great Depression.  Huey P. Long, the influential governor, convinced the people that a new State Capitol would save the state money because of it's efficient modern structure.

In 1935, as a Senator, he was assassinated outside the Governor's Office where we saw the actual bullet hole in a column on the site.  The story goes, he was going to run for President against Roosevelt and was deemed a threat.

Senator Long was buried on the grounds and his statue faces the Capitol.  Looking from the Observation Tower, his statue is pictured on the left in the rectangle.

The entrance has this grand staircase with one step for each of the 48 states listed in order of their admittance to the Union with Texas being admitted in 1845, the same year as Florida.

Here you enter and go through security you are in Memorial Hall.  This view is in the center of the building facing you.

These are the flags of powers that previously ruled Louisiana.  Below are the striking bronze elevator doors that beckon you to the top.

There are two bronze chandeliers, each weighing 2 tons hanging from the ceiling and a bronze relief map of Louisiana on the floor in the center of the room.

This is over the doorway leading into the chamber for the Legislators.  The Senate Chamber is to your left and the House Chamber is to the right. The rooms look almost identical with the Senate being a little fancier at the ceiling.

There are two sets of huge statues that flank the steps. One represents the Patriots and the one on your left is the statue of the Pioneers, men and women of courage who created this state out of the wilderness.

The pelican is Louisiana's state bird and is used extensively throughout the building. The magnolia is the state flower and is used in various places as well.

From the Observation Deck on the 27th floor at 350', the views are spectacular.  Behind me is the mighty Mississippi River.  This State House is the tallest at 450 feet to the top.  

Until next time...