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The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. is one of the most iconic buildings in the world. But each of America's 50 states has its own unique state capitol, most of them historic landmarks in their own right. While most states use the term "capitol" for their seat of government, there are those that use "statehouse" or "State House." Either way, these buildings represent a defining architectural style and are singular in their beauty and prestige.
Click through and visit America's most illustrious state capitol buildings.
One of the most iconic buildings in the world—and one of the most recognizable symbols of representative democracy—the United States Capitol, located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., has been home to Congress since 1800. The original building was partly destroyed in the 1814 burning of Washington, then was fully restored within five years. The huge dome was completed in 1863.
Maryland State House in Annapolis is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use, dating back to 1772. It's also the only state house ever to have served as the nation's capitol. The building has the distinction of being topped by the largest wooden dome in the United States.
Completed in 1851, the state capitol building for Alabama is located in Montgomery. In February 1861, delegates from seven Southern states met in the Senate Chamber after declaring their independence from the United States. As such, it became the first Confederate Capitol.
Instantly recognized for its gold dome, Massachusetts State House stands in downtown Boston on Beacon Street. Completed in 1798, it's considered a masterpiece of federal architecture.
Rhode Island may be the the smallest state in the union, but its state house is one of the most impressive in the country. Located in Providence, the neoclassical building was completed in 1901 and features one of the largest self-supported marble domes in the world.
Reminiscent of a European château, the castle-like capitol of Connecticut stands as one of Hartford's most impressive landmarks. The building dates back to 1878.
The Virginia State Capitol in Richmond was conceived in 1785 by Thomas Jefferson—who later served as the third president of the United States. The design is based on the Maison Carrée, an ancient Roman temple located in Nîmes, France. It is one of only 12 capitols in the United States without an external dome.
The grandiose Texas State Capitol in Austin is colossal. In fact, it is one of the few capitols in the nation actually larger than the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. At the time of its completion in 1888, the capitol was billed as "The Seventh Largest Building in the World."
The tallest skyscraper in Baton Rouge is the 137-m-tall (459 ft) tower of the Louisiana State Capitol—the tallest capitol in the United States. The building was inaugurated in 1932.
An architectural anomaly, the Hawaii State Capitol in Honolulu is an American adaptation of the Bauhaus style termed "Hawaiian international architecture." Dating back to 1969, the capitol is replete with a reflecting pool—built to symbolize the Pacific Ocean—that surrounds the exterior's palm tree-like columns.
It took 32 years to complete Albany's New York State Capitol, which was finally inaugurated in 1899 at a cost of US$25 million (equivalent to US$839 million in 2022), making it the most expensive government building of its time. Reflecting a variety of architectural styles, including Romanesque and French Renaissance, its resemblance to an English stately home is obvious.
Inaugurated in 1906 and located in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania State Capitol is often referred to as a "palace of art" because of its many sculptures, murals, and stained-glass windows, most of which are Pennsylvania-themed or Pennsylvanian-made. Indeed, it's considered to be the most ornate capitol building in the United States.
The Arizona State Capitol rises out of Phoenix as a blend of federal and classical architecture. Built in 1901, the structure was the main hub for territorial government before statehood in 1912. The 1901 portion of the capitol (pictured) is now maintained as the Arizona Capitol Museum, with a focus on the history and culture of Arizona (the Senate building is set on the left and the House building on the right, both out of view).
Similarly, the California State Capitol in Sacramento functions both as a museum and as a seat of government. Completed in 1874, the building's design draws on that found in Washington, D.C., its huge dome a familiar city landmark.
On a clear day, you can see Nebraska State Capitol's 120-m (400 ft) tower up to 32 km (20 mi) away. Opened in 1932 in downtown Lincoln, it was the first state capitol to incorporate a functional tower into its design.
Constructed of sandstone and granite and topped with a copper-clad dome, the Montana State Capitol in Helena reflects a Greek neoclassical architectural style. The building was inaugurated in 1902, with wing-annexes added between 1909 and 1912.
Built between 1845 and 1859 and one of Nashville's most prominent examples of Greek Revival architecture, the Tennessee State Capitol is one of the oldest working statehouses still in use. The tomb of James K. Polk (1795–1849), the 11th president of the United States, is on the capitol grounds.
Madison's tallest and most impressive building is the Wisconsin State Capitol. The structure—four proportional wings and a central dome (the only granite dome in the US)— is located at the southwestern end of the Madison Isthmus, making it the only state capitol ever built on a isthmus.
The New Hampshire State Capitol in Concord has the distinction of being the nation's oldest statehouse in which both houses of the legislature meet in their original chambers, having done so since 1819 (the current chamber of the Massachusetts Senate is older but was originally used by the House of Representatives).
With its redbrick exterior, Delaware State Capitol in Dover resembles an esteemed university building. In fact built to a Georgian Revival colonial architectural style, the capitol dates back to 1933, with new wings added in the 1960s and the 1990s.
The late 1930's Art Deco stripped classical design of the Oregon State Capitol in Salem makes it one of the most distinctive of all the nation's capitol buildings. It's certainly one of the newest in looks, with only the Hawaii State Capitol matching it for modernity.
The most architecturally and historically significant building in Atlanta, the late 19th-century Georgia State Capitol is distinguished with a dome gilded with gold leaf and topped by the statue of Miss Freedom. Inside, a museum is housed on the fourth floor.
For over a century, the state capitol has been one of Utah's most prominent landmarks. Located on Capitol Hill, overlooking downtown Salt Lake City, the capitol boasts 52 Corinthian columns that surround the south (front), east, and west elevations of the building.
Work began on the new South Carolina State House 1855, but was interrupted by the Civil War when the building was hit by several artillery shells, marked today by bronze stars identifying the spots hit by General W.T. Sherman's cannons. The exterior was only completed in 1907. Today this Columbia landmark serves both as the state seat of government and as the location of several monuments and memorials.
Wedged between and overlooked by several modern skyscrapers, the Ohio State Capitol is another one of the nation's oldest working statehouses, completed as it was in 1861. The Columbus landmark lacks a rounded dome, instead featuring a low conical roof.
Only 10 state capitol buildings in the country have gold leaf covering their domes, including Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyanne. The city was created on 1867 in the path of the transcontinental railroad; by 1890 the state capitol had been completed.
The multi-domed Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines was dedicated in 1884. The domes number five in total, with the largest constructed of steel and stone and covered with 23-carat gold.
A magnificent, towering landmark of the city of Jackson, the Mississippi State Capitol stands on the site of the old state penitentiary. Completed in 1903, the building exemplifies Beaux Arts classicism in architecture and features a dome that rises 54 m (180 ft) above ground level.
Construction of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing took six years and was dedicated in 1878. A statue of Austin Blair (1818–1894) is set in the grounds in front of the building. Blair was the 13th governor of Michigan and known as a strong opponent of slavery and secession.
Sources: (Britannica) (Maryland State Archives) (Explore Southern History)
See also: The most beautiful and iconic libraries in the United States
America's most illustrious state capitol buildings
US seats of government you need to see
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The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. is one of the most iconic buildings in the world. But each of America's 50 states has its own unique state capitol, most of them historic landmarks in their own right. While most states use the term "capitol" for their seat of government, there are those that use "statehouse" or "State House." Either way, these buildings represent a defining architectural style and are singular in their beauty and prestige.
Click through and visit America's most illustrious state capitol buildings.