Our State Capitol

A view from the visitor center where you have to go to get your official stamp of your visit.

The Texas Capitol anchors 4 blocks, within 22 acres.  It has a copper roof with the zinc Goddess of Liberty statue at the top of the dome. It is built of Sunset Red granite quarried in Texas.

We entered the South Foyer after taking the "Grand Walk" that is lined with live oaks that lead you up to the massive doors.

We must stop for the obligatory photo of the two of us upon entering.

Being a Saturday, it was a very busy place with a bongo band with dancers, a protest of some kind across the street, with loud music inside the rotunda performing!!! We could have enjoyed the music, but we felt that was not the place for it.

Not to be missed are the 8 pound hinges you can see only when the doors are opened.

All the hardware is absolutely stunning. From these hinges to the doorknobs with the Texas star.

Notice the terrazzo floor with the word San Jacinto right where the lady is stepping.  In this area, all the 12 battles fought on Texas soil are commemorated by mention on the floor.

The marble life-sized statues of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin are here to greet you.

As we stepped into the Rotunda, we looked up into the dome where the star was installed in 1958. It is eight feet from point to point and hangs 218' above...made of metal, with the word Texas spelled out around it.

There are only four floors that are accessible with a spiral staircase that takes workers to the top of the dome.

The Grand Staircase took us up to the next floor.  

The colors of the floor and banisters added a touch of beauty.

This is where the Senate meets.

There are 31 Senators.

The portrait behind the walnut desk of the Lieutenant Governor is of Stephen F. Austin.

The House of Representatives chamber is the largest room in the building where 150 members meet.

The textile hanging behind the Speakers desk is the flag from the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto.

Looking down from the 4th floor to the floor of the Rotunda is the Great Seal surrounded by the six seals of the countries whose flags have flown over Texas.

This is where the musicians were performing.

Portraits of the Presidents of the Republic and Governors of the state circle the four public levels of the Rotunda.

March 2, 1885 is Texas Independence Day, and that was when the 12,000 pound cornerstone was laid.

 

A view from a window inside.

The capitol was not paid for in dollars, but in land.  Three million acres (known as the XIT Ranch)  in the Panhandle was exchanged for the 3 million dollar structure.  

Until next time...