Designed in 1881 The building Capitol is 302.64 feet (92.24 m) tall, making it the sixth-tallest state capitol and one of several taller than the United States Capitol and was added to the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark
General Information
Open for self-touring Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm Monday through Friday.
Guided tours of the Capitol are available on a limited basis between 9:30am and 4pm
Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Head north on Congress Ave toward E 6th St. Turn right onto E 11th St.
Overview
The Texas State Capitol is the seat of Texas state government, housing the Legislature and the Governor's offices on a hilltop in downtown Austin. Completed in 1888 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style and clad in local red granite, it stands taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. and is free to explore year-round, both on your own and on a guided tour.
History
Architect Elijah E. Myers designed the Capitol in 1881, and it was built between 1882 and 1888 under civil engineer Reuben Lindsay Walker. An underground extension added office space in 1993. The building has been a National Historic Landmark since 1986 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970.
Popular Attractions and Activities
Architecture and the Dome
The Capitol's scale is part of the draw: at 302.64 feet tall, it's the sixth-tallest state capitol in the country.
- Roughly 360,000 square feet of floor space, more than any other state capitol building.
- Nearly 400 rooms and nine-hundred-plus windows across a four-story central block and symmetrical east and west wings.
- Design modeled on the U.S. Capitol, with the main entrance facing South Congress Avenue.
The Rotunda
The open rotunda beneath the dome is the building's centerpiece and one of its most popular photo stops.
- A famous whispering gallery beneath the dome.
- Portraits of past Republic of Texas presidents and Texas governors lining the walls.
- Massive cast-iron staircases connecting the building's levels.
- The Texas Senate and House chambers, visible from public galleries on the third floor.
Public Art
The south foyer holds some of the Capitol's most notable artwork and sculpture.
- A large portrait of David Crockett.
- A painting depicting the surrender of General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.
- Sculptures of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin by artist Elisabet Ney.
Capitol Grounds
The Capitol sits on 22 acres of landscaped grounds dotted with statues and monuments, anchored by the tree-lined "Great Walk."
- Historic monuments flanking the Great Walk, including the Heroes of the Alamo and Terry's Texas Rangers monuments.
- The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument, dedicated in 2014.
Tours
Free guided tours depart regularly from the South Foyer throughout the week, and free self-guided tour brochures are available at the north entrance for visitors who'd rather explore at their own pace.
Visitor Highlights
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| The Dome and Rotunda | Photograph the whispering gallery and portrait-lined rotunda beneath the dome. |
| Public Art | View historic paintings and sculptures depicting Texas history in the south foyer. |
| Capitol Grounds | Walk the Great Walk past historic monuments and memorials. |
| Guided Tours | Join a free tour of the building, or pick up a brochure for a self-guided visit. |
Best Time to Visit
| Time | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Weekday Mornings | Quieter halls, easier parking, and more frequent guided tours. |
| Afternoons | Busier with visitors and school groups, but full access to tours and exhibits. |
| Weekends | Guided tours run on a more limited schedule, so self-guided visits work well. |
Why Visit the Texas State Capitol?
- Step inside a National Historic Landmark that's taller than the U.S. Capitol.
- Admire the architecture of the rotunda, dome, and whispering gallery.
- See Texas history in art through the south foyer's paintings and sculptures.
- Walk the grounds and their historic monuments.
- Take a free tour, guided or self-paced.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Texas State Capitol", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
