Texas State Capitol
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| Texas State Capitol | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Texas State Capitol |
| Location | Austin, Texas |
| Architect | Elijah E. Myers |
| Client | State of Texas |
| Completion | 1888 |
Texas State Capitol. The Texas State Capitol is located in Austin, Texas, and it serves as the seat of Texas Legislature and the office of the Governor of Texas. The building is a prominent example of late 19th-century United States architecture, with influences from the Italian Renaissance style, as seen in the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C., and the work of architects such as Frank Furness and Henry Hobson Richardson. The capitol building has been the site of many significant events, including the inauguration of Dolph Briscoe as Governor of Texas and the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Texas.
● History
The history of the Texas State Capitol dates back to the early days of the Republic of Texas, when the Texas Congress met in various locations, including San Felipe, Texas, and Washington-on-the-Brazos. After Texas became a United States state in 1845, the Texas Legislature met in the Capitol Building (1839) in Austin, Texas. However, this building was destroyed by a fire in 1881, and a new building was commissioned, designed by Elijah E. Myers, who had previously worked on the Michigan State Capitol and the Colorado State Capitol. The construction of the new capitol building was overseen by Abner Taylor, a prominent Austin, Texas builder, and was completed in 1888, with the help of Gustav Wilke and other skilled craftsmen, including those from the Freemasons and the Knights of Pythias. The building was dedicated on April 21, 1888, in a ceremony attended by Governor Lawrence Sullivan Ross and other dignitaries, including John Nance Garner and Sam Rayburn.
● Architecture
The architecture of the Texas State Capitol is characterized by its Italian Renaissance style, with a central dome and two wings that house the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives. The building is constructed from limestone and features a portico with columns inspired by the Tuscan order, similar to those found in the White House and the United States Capitol. The design of the building was influenced by the work of architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, and features a unique blend of classical and modern elements, as seen in the Robie House and the Guggenheim Museum. The building's central dome is topped with a statue of the Goddess of Liberty, designed by Elijah E. Myers and sculpted by J. Wiley Anderson, who also worked on the Tennessee State Capitol and the North Carolina State Capitol.
● Grounds
The grounds of the Texas State Capitol cover an area of over 22 acres and feature several monuments and memorials, including the Terry's Texas Rangers Monument, the Vietnam War Monument, and the World War I Monument. The grounds are also home to several trees, including a live oak tree that is over 100 years old, and a cedar tree that was planted by Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas. The grounds are maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and feature several walking trails and a visitor center, which offers tours of the capitol building and the grounds, including the Governor's Mansion and the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
● Features
The Texas State Capitol features several notable rooms and spaces, including the Texas Senate Chamber, the Texas House of Representatives Chamber, and the Governor's Office. The building also features a rotunda with a large skylight and a staircase that connects the first and second floors, similar to those found in the New York State Capitol and the Illinois State Capitol. The building's interior is decorated with several works of art, including paintings by Robert Jenkins Onderdonk and William Henry Huddle, and features a unique blend of classical and modern elements, as seen in the Dallas Museum of Art and the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. The building is also home to several historic artifacts, including the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, which are on display in the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
● Tourism
The Texas State Capitol is a popular tourist destination, attracting over 1 million visitors each year, including those from Europe, Asia, and South America. Visitors can take guided tours of the building and the grounds, which are offered by the Texas State Preservation Board and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The building is also within walking distance of several other popular attractions, including the 6th Street entertainment district, the Texas State History Museum, and the LBJ Presidential Library, which is located on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. Visitors can also take a stroll along the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, which offers beautiful views of the Austin, Texas skyline and the Hill Country.
● Restoration
The Texas State Capitol has undergone several restoration projects over the years, including a major restoration project in the 1980s that was overseen by the Texas State Preservation Board and the National Park Service. The project included the restoration of the building's exterior and interior, as well as the repair of the central dome and the replacement of the skylight in the rotunda. The building has also undergone several smaller restoration projects, including the restoration of the Texas Senate Chamber and the Texas House of Representatives Chamber, which were completed in the 1990s and 2000s, respectively, with the help of Preservation Texas and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated National Historic Landmark, along with other notable buildings, such as the Alamo and the Johnson Space Center. Category:Government buildings in the United States