Texas State Capitol IV

The Texas State Capitol building is an awesome sight! This view shows the Capitol Extension Open-Air Rotunda in the foreground. It is patterned... more

by Joan Carroll

Title

Texas State Capitol IV

Artist

Joan Carroll

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

The Texas State Capitol building is an awesome sight! This view shows the Capitol Extension Open-Air Rotunda in the foreground. It is patterned after the rotunda in the Capitol and has the same diameter, 60 ft. The Capitol Extension is a four-level underground structure completed in 1993 and connected to the Capitol by three pedestrian tunnels. It was built to provide the Capitol with much-needed additional space without detracting from its appearance and historical importance. It would have been a shame if this beautiful view of the capitol had been destroyed. The Texas State Capitol was ranked ninety-second in the "America's Favorite Architecture" poll commissioned by the American Institute of Architects, that ranked the top 150 favorite architectural projects in America as of 2007. In a 2008 poll by the AIA, it was also ranked the number-one state capitol. The Texas Capitol building is surrounded by 22 acres of grounds and monuments making it a lovely oasis in downtown Austin. The Texas State Capitol contains the chambers of the Texas Legislature and the office of the governor. Originally designed in 1881 by architect Elijah E. Myers, it was constructed from 1882 to 1888 under the direction of civil engineer Reuben Lindsay Walker. A $75 million underground extension was completed in 1993. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The Texas State Capitol is 308 ft (94 m) tall making it the sixth tallest state capitol and one of several taller than the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

FEATURED PHOTO, Texas Landscape and Landmark Photography group, 9/2/14

Uploaded

September 1st, 2014