Texas State Capitol – Cool Things To Do In Austin
Be sure to include a tour of the Texas State Capitol Building on your thing to do list. It is a real beauty, built in 1888, it is the largest of any state capitol building. Notice the red granite exterior walls, the stone was quarried just 50 miles from the site in what is now Marble Falls.
The Texas State Capitol was designed by architect Elijah E. Myers, architect of the Michigan and Colorado Capitols, who won a nationwide design competition for the project in 1881. Contractors were offered an interesting trade: three million acres in the Texas Panhandle in exchange for constructing the Capitol. This acreage would become the famous XIT Ranch.
During your tour expect to learn about Texas history and see where the Texas Legislature conducts business. There is also a fantastic collection of Texas Historical Art on display inside the building.
Because of the extensive interior and exterior renovation you can expect beauty. In 1993, the $75 million underground Capitol Extension was completed to the north, doubling the square footage available to Capitol occupants and providing much improved functionality. In 1995, a comprehensive interior and exterior restoration of the original building was completed at a cost of approximately $98 million. Finally, in 1997, the park-like grounds surrounding the Capitol were given a much needed $8 million renovation and restoration.
The Texas Capitol is an extraordinary example of late 19th century public architecture and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most distinguished state capitols. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986 for its “significant contribution to American history.”
Sited on one of Austin’s highest points, the Capitol anchors the northern periphery of the downtown commercial district and commands a sweeping view towards the Colorado River from its southern facade.
Completed in 1888 as the winning design from a national competition, the Capitol’s style is Renaissance Revival, based on the architecture of 15th-century Italy and characterized by classical orders, round arches and symmetrical composition. The structural exterior walls are “sunset red” granite, quarried just 50 miles from the site. Additional structural support is provided by masonry walls and cast iron columns and beams. The foundation is limestone. Texas paid for the construction not in dollars, but in land: some three million acres in the Texas Panhandle that would later become the famous XIT Ranch.
The Capitol Information and Guide Service is located in the restored Treasurer’s Business Office on the first floor of the Capitol. Free Capitol tours are conducted daily beginning in the Capitol South Foyer and concluding in the Capitol Extension. This tour features the Capitol, Texas history, and the Texas legislature.
Tours are generally 45 minutes in length and are available during the following times:
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Sunday, Noon – 3:30 pm
Learn More and Book Your Tour of the Texas State Capitol Building
Check out the other events at the State Capitol of Texas
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