The Amazing History Of The Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol building in Austin has a rich and compelling history. Keep reading to find out more...
The Old State Capitol Building
Before the current Capitol building we all know and love, there was an older version.
The old building has a unique and fascinating history of its own!
It was constructed between 1853 and 1857 in a Greek Revival-style and served for around 25 years during a foundational period of Texas history. It was the seat of government during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Architect Abner Cook used limestone as his primary material with a building cost of about $150,000 (over $4.9 million in today’s money).
Actually, it should be noted that Mr. Cook was the mastermind behind several Austin landmarks: The Texas Governor’s Mansion, Neill-Cochran House, Woodlawn/Pease Mansion and Sweetbrush. He built a few others which have since been destroyed.
The old Texas Capitol Building featured a central rotunda with a dome, legislative chambers, and offices for state officials. As seen in the above picture, the old building was quite block-like, lacking the architectural panache of the current one. One publication of the time even referred to it as an “architectural monstrosity”.
Unfortunately, on November 9, 1881, disaster struck when a fire broke out, believed to have started in the basement near the House of Representatives library. Despite efforts to save the building and its contents, the structure was largely destroyed. Fortunately, many important state documents were rescued during the fire, including handwritten copies of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the state constitution.
After the fire, state officials temporarily conducted business in the nearby Millett Opera House while plans were made for the new building. The limestone ruins of the old Capitol were eventually dismantled, with some materials reportedly repurposed in other Austin buildings.
Construction Of The Current Capitol Building
The new construction was intentionally designed to be larger, grander and more impressive than its 1853 predecessor.
Construction started on February 1st, 1882 with the cornerstone being laid on March 2, 1885 (Texas Independence Day).
The building was designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style by architect Elijah E. Myers. To add to its “Austin-tacious-ness”, it was decided that the exterior should be pink granite. And, since “everything is bigger in Texas”, it was built 302 feet tall which stands 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington!
A cool little story about the pink granite used for the construction. It was sourced from Granite Mountain in Marble Falls (47 miles northwest). The granite was purchased via a unique and creative arrangement. The contractors who worked on the building – known as the Capitol Syndicate – accepted 3 million acres of public land in exchange for the granite and their labor. The land they accepted went on to become the XIT Ranch, one of the largest ranches in American history.
During construction, builders discovered the original foundation wouldn't support the planned iron dome. This led to the use of load-bearing walls and a cast-iron dome painted to resemble the pink granite exterior.
Texas State Capitol Facts
Here are some additional figures about the current building that you may find interesting.
- The grounds span 22 acres and feature monuments celebrating Texas history, including memorials to the Alamo defenders, Confederate soldiers, and Texas Rangers;
- the most extensive renovation period occurred from 1990-1995, which included the addition of an underground extension that provided 667,000 square feet of new space;
- on June 23, 1986, the complex was designated a National Historic Landmark;
- the site sees 1-1.5 million people a year while still operating as a working government facility.
The Pride Of Austin
For many Austinites, the Capitol is a crucial part of Austin’s identity and skyline.
Austinites also take pride in showing visitors the building and consider it a symbol of their city and state heritage. The building represents Austin's role as the seat of Texas government, which has significantly shaped the city's development, economy, and culture since it became the permanent capital in 1839.
The complex also provides employment for many Austin residents, both directly in government roles and indirectly through related businesses and services. The building's preservation and expansion projects over the decades have reflected Austin's growth from a small government town to a major metropolitan area.
For politically engaged Austinites, the building represents accessibility to government. Local citizens regularly visit to observe legislative sessions, testify at committee hearings, meet with representatives, or participate in demonstrations on issues they care about.
The grounds also serve as a beloved green space in the urban environment, with many locals using the shaded lawns and pathways for exercise, picnics, or simply as a peaceful retreat from the surrounding city.
Conclusion
If you’re planning to visit Austin, the Capitol is something you must visit. Hopefully, you found this article informative and helpful.
What did you think about this blog post? Did I miss something you’d like to know? Leave a comment below!
* preliminary research done with Claude AI, secondary research done via the Texas State Preservation Board.
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