Texas Capitol

It doesn’t matter if you are a longtime resident, a visitor, or a transplant only passing through Austin; a must-do activity in the town is checking out the marvelous Texas State Capitol structures and grounds.

Even if Dallas and Houston often get the lion’s share of outside attention, Austin is the city capital of Texas. It doesn’t matter if you are a new resident or are only visiting; make it a point to drop by the Capitol building. This great landmark in Austin is not to be missed.

Location

The Texas Capitol Building sits on 22 acres of landscaped backyards, seventeen different monuments, and many historic structures. The guest center is situated at 112 East 11th Street and welcomes guests daily from Monday through Saturday from 9 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon and on Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. The Capitol building is open Monday from Friday from 7 am to 10 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm. Find here

Amazing Interior Design

The big three-story sunset red granite building is considered the most prominent structure in the US. This is fourteen feet higher than the United States Capitol buildings. You will be amazed by the graceful and ornate details, from the gigantic brass door hinges to the unique and detailed handrails. See the brass chandeliers in the House of Representatives Chamber, whose light bulbs spell out TEXAS.

Capitol Grounds

The grounds of the Capitol are comprised of approximately twenty-two acres in the middle of Downtown Austin; therefore, there are so many things to do and see. The grounds feature twenty-two monuments, trees, stunningly landscaped gardens, and historic structures. Furthermore, the grounds are ideal for discovering, enjoying a picnic with family, and learning more about Texas history.

With your visit to the grounds, you will get an exciting peak at historical Texas and the existing landscape of state politics. You can bring a blanket and lie down on the grounds or walk around and see all the things the Capitol offers.

Texas Capitol building itself has an exceptional and colorful background. The original structure was built on the site in 1853 however burnt down in 1881. There was a countrywide contest to design the following structure, and Elijah Myers, an architect who has finished the buildings of Colorado and Michigan state capitals, bagged the price. He made a Renaissance Revival style. Look at this website

After his win, the construction wasn’t fast. There was a delay as the argument for the exterior material was waged. The decision was made that this structure would be made of sunset red granite, not limestone, as many would have wanted. After its opening in 1888, the Capitol was safe until it caught fire in 1983. The building was almost destroyed; however, historical conservationists got together to ratify a public works project in order to restore and save the building.

For more information about the background of this building and the state in general, the visitor center is the best place to visit. The visitor center takes into account a gift shop and many different exhibits. The exhibits concentrate on the history of the Texas Capitol and, of course, the state of Texas, utilizing videos, photos, and artifacts. There is even a space honoring short story author O. Henry, a native of Texas. If you are visiting the state, the visitor center can give you details, information as well as maps, and advice on many unique attractions and things to do around Austin and Texas.

There are also self-guided tours on the Capitol grounds available to be acquired in the Visitor Center. Free daily tours of the building are also available that focus on the history of the structure and state legislature and its history. The tour starts in the south foyer and will last in the extension of the Capitol. They last about an hour. Free tours are available daily from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 3 pm. Don’t miss this chance to visit one of the oldest Capitol in the US.

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