You Are Here: America >> Texas >> Austin >> Capitol Building

Texas State Capitol Building

Austin's Texas State Capitol Building is just four blocks away from University of Texas in downtown Austin. If you are trying to decide what to do in Austin, visiting this beautiful building should definitely be on your list. The Texas State Capitol Building is recognized as the nation's most distinguished state capitol building. The Texas State Capitol Building is second in size only to the United States Capitol Building located in Washington DC. This capitol building was built in the late 1800's, and is considered extraordinary architecture for its time. The scenic view of the capitol building from Congress Avenue near the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge is probably the best scenic view in Austin. Visitors at the Texas State Capitol Building will get a taste of Texas politics, Texas history, and Texas pride! This Austin attraction can be enjoyed free of charge.

The Grounds:

The Texas State Capitol Building complex covers over 22-acres. A self guided tour of the grounds, will include many monuments, sculptures, gardens, fountains, 19th century cannons, and much more. Some of the most notable monuments include the Heroes of the Alamo, The Confederate Soldiers Monument, and the Texas Volunteer Firemen Monument. The Capitol Building grounds is a great place to stop for a picnic while touring Austin. The South side of the Capitol building has a 25 feet wide, 500 feet long walkway, also known as " The Great Walk". This walkway offers the best view of the capitol building. This walkway is lined with monuments, statues, and trees.

An interesting thing to see while touring the Texas State Capitol Building grounds is the outdoor rotunda. The outdoor rotunda is designed to be like the indoor rotunda without the dome. It is a big hole in the ground with a circle bottom with the big Texas Star just like inside. Visitors can go down into the outdoor rotunda on the nort side of the capitol building. You can access to the underground sections of the capitol building through this area.

The capitol building grounds is surrounded by several parks and other places to enjoy while strolling through downtown Austin. On the west side of the capitol building is House Park and Maroon Stadium, Duncan Park, Wooldridge Square, and Pease Park. Pease Park features the scenic shoal Creek Trail. Just a few blocks north of the capitol building is the University of Texas. On the east side of the capitol building is Waterloo Park and the Frank Erwin Center. The Frank Erwin Center is a venue for holding public and private special events including live concerts and comedy shows. To the south of the capitol building is Ladybird Lake and Zilker Park.

The Building:

The Texas State Capitol Building is 308 ft tall at its highest point where the Goddess of Liberty statue stands on top of the building's dome. The building's most distinguishable feature is its massive dome which is hard to miss almost anywhere in Austin. The Texas State Capitol Building looks similar to the United States Capitol building except for the different color that the pink granite gives it. This different color gives the building a very unique look. The building almost looks ancient and modern at the same time!

Inside:

Once inside the building, visitors will experience some of the most beautiful design, and architecture in the country. The building is 360,000 square foot and has almost 400 rooms. Visitors can explore the building with a professional guide or explore the building alone. If there is time, it is a good idea to explore the building without a guide first so that you can experience everything at your own pace, then join up with a guided tour. The guided tour offers a lot of information that you will have missed going at it alone, but you also do not want to be rushed through the good parts. The free guided tour usually lasts about 45 minutes. Throughout the building you will see a lot of sculptures of important men and women of Texas including Davy Crockett, defender of the Alamo and hero of the Texas Revolution. You will also see many paintings, portraits, and informational plaques throughout the Capitol Building tour. While in the building be sure to check out the gift shop. The Texas State Capitol gift shop offers books, t-shirts, flags, souvenirs, and much more.

The Rotunda inside the Texas State Capitol Building is one of the most beautifully designed rooms in the country. This room rivals even the United States Capitol Building rotunda for its beauty. You can get a great bird's eye view of the rotunda from upstairs looking down over the balcony. While in the rotunda don't forget to test the famous dome echo. All you have to do is stand on the big star in the middle of the room and clap. You will be surprised at how loud it will echo back. If you take a couple of steps in any direction the echo goes away. The rotunda walls are lined with portraits of former Republic of Texas presidents and Texas Governors.

The Texas State Capitol Building is of course a government building containing offices for different branches of Texas government. Both houses of Texas's bicameral legislature is in this building. The House of Representatives is located on one side of the capitol and the Senate Chambers are located on the other. You can sit in on the debate and watch how Texas law is made. The Texas Governor's office is also located inside the capitol building. There are many other government buildings around the perimeter of the capitol building housing different State offices. You can also see the Governor's Mansion located on the southwest corner of the capitol building complex.

History:

The Texas State Capitol Building was designed by Elijah E. Myers. Myers won a design contest that was held to determine the design of the building. Construction of the capitol building began in March 2, 1885 (Texas Independence Day), and was completed on April 21, 1888 (San Jacinto Day). Several additions to the building have been made since then as the need for more office space was needed. The Texas State Capitol Building ranked 92nd in the " America's Favorite Architecture " poll and in a 2008 poll, this building was voted the number one State Capital building in the United States. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.