Austin2012 -- State Capitol Building Tour

The State of Texas Capitol, while mimicking the US Capitol, stands about 15 feet taller. Completed nearly 127 years ago and made of sunset (pink) granite and Oak Hill limestone, it replaced a previous building which burned in 1881. Cameras and State Troopers are all abound, but like the Capitol grounds, it's still remarkable to me how accessible the Capitol building is to anybody who wants to walk around. Particularly with the security realities of the day.

All doors in the Capitol Building (including this one facing South down Congress Avenue), use custom designed hinges inscribed with the words "Texas Capitol". They weigh just over 7 pounds and were designed by Sargent and Company out of New Haven, Connecticut in the late 1880s. I wonder how many Texan's realize there is a Yankee touch to the building

A closeup of the bronze door knob, worn down after 100+ years of use. They're all different in their own right, but it seems like every 'historic' texas government building puts an intriging unique touch on their knobs. The Texas Capitol knobs have our trademark "Star" and a weather protector over the no longer used keyhole

The obligatory National Historic Landmark plaque in the Capitol lobby. This was mounted long before current security realities and now sits in the area where DPS screens all visitors. They quickly stopped me from taking a better photo, even though I was standing outside of their security screening area.

The old State Treasurer's Office has been converted into a small museum. Doesn't seem like these bars would have protected against much back then.

The old style checkerboard floor in the Treasury Office

This check perforator was used to cancel checks received by the Treasury with the date it was processed.

Probably was cutting edge technology back in 1915

On one side of the lobby, hangs a 10ft+ tall painting of Davy Crockett in remembrance of his role at the Alamo. The plaque reads: "David Crockett (1786-1836), Crockett was born in eastern Tennessee and began work as a laborer at a young age. He married in 1806 and settled his family in the area. His young wife died and he later married a widow with two children. He contracted malaria during his travels but survived despite the report made to his family that he had died. Crockett took an interest in public service and was elected to the Tennessee Legislator in 1821. Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1827, he served until he was defeated for a third term in 1831. In the 1830s, Crockett gained a reputation as a skilled hunter and marksman. A series of publications portrayed him as "Davy", a legendary adventurer rather than politician David Crockett. After he became disenchanted with politics, he traveled to Texas in 1835 as a potential move destination for his family. He arrived in San Antonio in February 1836, and joined Colonel William B. Travis at the Alamo. Crockett died in the battle on March 6, 1836. Painted in 1889 by William Henry Huddle (1847-1892). Loaned to the State of Texas in 1891. Purchased authorized by the 31st Legislator 1909."

Doesn't really look like John Wayne to me

On the other side of the lobby hangs a painting depicting the Surrender of Santa Anna officially giving Texas it's Independence from Mexico. The plaque reads: "Surrender of Santa Anna, The artist pictures the scene of the morning of April 22nd, 1836, the day after the Texas' victory over Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto. Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, in the uniform of a private soldier, is brought before Texas General Sam Houston as a prisoner of war. Houston, wounded in the battle, rests on a pallet under the oak tree while arranging an armistice with Santa Anna. To the right and seated on a log is Erastus "Deaf" Smith, a famous Texas scout. The captured Mexican battle flags are leaning nearby against a tree. To the left and rear of Houston is Secretary of War Thomas Jefferson Rusk, who is standing next to Colonel Mirabeau B. Lamar. Over thirty other historical figures are depicted. The painting has been on display in this location in the Capitol since February 1891. Painted in 1886 by William Henry Huddle (1847-1892). Authorized by the 22nd Legislature 1891

We were always taught in Texas History that Santa Anna was found in Private's uniform, only to be given up by his troops who inadvertently saluted him as he walked by. The tour guide, however, pointed out that no one really knows how he was dressed, just that he was in disguise in something other than his General's uniform.

Underneith the Surrender of Santa Anna painting, a tablet listing every United States Army Officer who fell in the war with Mexico 1846-1848. The memorial was erected in 1910 by the The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Texas

Life sized statue of Sam Houston between the lobby and the rotunda, unveiled in 1903

Life sized statue of Stephen F. Austin also between the lobby and the rotunda, also unveiled in 1903

Paintings of each Texas Republic President and State Govenor line each level of the rotunda in order of there service

Full shot of the rotunda from the fourth level to the top. The curvature of this area also makes this an acoustic whispering gallery.

Looking straight up into the rotunda dome. While there is some difference in paint color, the inside of the dome is being lit by daylight, with contrasting shadows from the detailed trim and moldings. The star itself is 218 feet +/- from the floor and eight feet wide from point to point. This is one of my favorite views of the building

We like our stars here in Texas

The terrazzo floor of the rotunda shows the State Seal and the six seals of the countries whose flags have flown over Texas. It was installed as part of the 1936 Texas Centennial.

French fleur de lis in honor of my Louisiana wife

We like our stars here in Texas

Marble bust of Barbara Jordan, a leader of the Civil Rights movement. She was the first African American elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction, and the first southern black female elected to the United States House of Representatives.

Clock blending into the woodwoork above one of the hallways leading out of the rotunda

Closeup of the ornate custom moldings above one of the office doors in the original building. During the 1990's restoration, State Preservation Board took great care to maintain architectural details such as this. And to reset what had previously been changed to where possible.

All of the doors have etched glass windows, complete with the State Seal. We like our stars here in Texas

Daylight through the etched office door glass

Display documenting the role of the Secretary of State, the history of their private office, and how it's changed throughout the years

Display documenting the role of the State Library, how it was restored, and how the space was originally used by the Texas Supreme Court Law Library until 1907 due to a fire in 1881

Closeup of the hallway light fixtures found throughout the original building

The floor of the Senate chambers. Not sure why, but this room had a slight but noticeable slant from the door to the main podium. Corny as it sounds, walking in this room, we could instantly feel all of the "history" that had occurred here over all these years.

Closeup of the speaker's podium in front of the Lieutenant Governor's original walnut desk and a mid-1850+/- portrait of Stephen F. Austin

Closeup of the walnut desks used by the thirty-one State Senators

The lights above the Senate floor, spelling out "Texas" with the lightbulbs.

We like our stars here in Texas.

The lights above the visitor gallery are not nearly as nice

Gallery chairs to the side under the walnut shutters

Etched sign in the transom window above a Senate Chamber door

Looking back towards the door of the Senate Chambers across the desks

Reflections in the front the conference tables

Display noting the original 1889 Capitol Walnut Swivel Chair, further reads: "Used by Senators as their desk chair until c1940s period. The chair is restored to match it's original horse-hair stuffed, black lather upholstery and canvas gimp/brass daisy head nail trim"

Photo of the how the Senate Chambers looked in the 1900s. One of may that was used during the 1990s restoration to reset the Capitol building as a whole to it's original appearance.

"Dawn at the Alamo", one of two main paintings which adorn the back of the Senate Chambers. Further reads: "The Fall of the Alamo, March 6, 1936, Dawn of Day-Dawn of Liberty to Texas, the Moral Victory, by H.A. McArdle 1836-1908". The original was destroyed in 1881 by the fire at the Limestone Capitol. McArdle researched further and repainted, but both versions take certain artistic liberties

Clearly even the dogs were fighting for Texas. Though this one looks like he hasn't had his rabies shots

The ghost of James Bowie continuing to fight after it is thought he historically had already died

Commander William B. Travis being stabbed in the back as symbolism of being one of the first to be killed during the battle

"The Battle of San Jacinto", the second of the two main paintings which adorn the back of the Senate Chambers. Further reads: "April 21, 1936, The Triumph of Texas Independence, Retributive Justice, by H.A. McArdle 1836-1908". This painting was completed in 1895 and like "Dawn at the Alamo" this painting takes certain artistic liberties, despite research by McArdle

The blue flag on the left is the San Jacinto flag, which is actually White and on display in the House Chambers.

The House of Representatives Chamber is the largest in the building accommodating the 150 members. Somewhere on this stop the out of towners asked the tour-guide how the Texas Government finishes all the state business after meeting for just 140 days every 2 years. "They say they do" with a sigh and a smile was the 'official' response. Like the Senate Chambers, we could also feel the "history" in this room as soon as we walked in.

Closeup of the closely packed Representative's desks

House Chambers has the same Texas Star lights hanging above. We like our stars in Texas.

Painting of Stephen F. Austin on the side wall of the House Chambers

Photo of the how the House Chambers looked in the 1900s. Another one of may that was used during the 1990s restoration to reset the Capitol building as a whole to it's original appearance.

Closeup of the "Battle of San Jacinto" flag hanging behind the Speaker's desk. This is a recreation. The original is mounted on the other side of the frame and is displayed only during House Sessions.

Another example of the custom brass Texas Capitol door hinges

Etched sign in the transom window above the House Chamber door

Winding staircase to to the upper levels outside of the Senate Chambers

Looking down towards the rotunda floor from the second level balcony at all the tourists

From the third level of the rotunda, looking at the empty spots which will be filled as additional Govenor portraits are painted

Henry Smith, Provisional Governor of Texas when independance was declared and the first portrait displayed in the rotunda.

Looking up into the rotunda from the third level. From this distance, the detail of the architecture and molding really stands out

Looking across the State Supreme Court Offices. Portraits of previous Justices line the wall between the doors

Skylights are found throughout the building to allow in natural light.

Looking down into the State Library

Basement level hallway of the Capitol building

Underneith the Capitol rotunda. A copy-room and the offices of some unlucky House & Senate members are on the other side of those doors.

Looking towards the Capitol Extension from the original building, the building dramaticly changes

In the underground Capitol Extension buiding, the reverse side of the State of Texas Seal is displayed on the rotunda floor.

The Seal pays hommage to the six flags that have flown over Texas and to the three battles key to Texas Indepence: the Alamo, The Battle of Gonzalez, and Vince's Bridge at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Entering the Capitol Extension

While newly built, the Capitol Extension was designed with a certain respect to the architectural styles of the original building. As so not to disrupt the look to the Capitol Building's outside look, the entire Extension was built underground on the North side of the building and relies heavily on natural lighting through the skylights

Looking back towards the original Capitol Building from the other end of the Extension

With a view of the Captitol Rotunda, Even the skylights have etched starts. We like our stars here in Texas.

The lower level courtyard of the Capitol Extension.

We like our stars here in Texas

We like our stars here in Texas.

One of the many Capitol squirrels looking for their next 'Mark'

The hallway circling the courtyard

Back at the rotunda, an elementary school choir is celebrating Texas Independence Day