Capitol Visit

Yesterday we visited the Texas State Capitol Complex in Austin. Built in 1888, it is constructed from Texas Sunset Red granite. Those Texans, always wanting to have the biggest and best, built the dome to be 14 feet higher than the US Capitol in Washington,DC . They can't claim the tallest capitol building in the US because the Louisiana Capitol is slightly taller but they do claim the tallest DOMED capitol building. Talk about trying to out do each other !

The dome is 218 feet above the first floor. This view is looking straight up. The star in the center was installed in 1958 and measures eight feet from point to point. It is quite a view from the floor! Texas is quite proud of it's history and surrounding the first floor are seals of the six countries whose flags have flown over Texas. Your history quiz for the day---Can you name them?? ( answers below)

The tour of the building went through many of the areas. The architecturalal details were unique and impressive. Note the engraved hinge- these are found on most of the doors. The five point star is incorporated into almost everything from windows to lighting The tour is very popular. Of course, many school children tour on field trips. The day we were there was no exception. We counted no less than 8 full size tour buses during the time we were there. Of course, we picked the day to visit when there was a also a large, very vocal demonstration by students ( they appeared to be high school age) . The were protesting the anti-immigration law up before the US Senate. Apparently these demonstrations are going on all over the country. It sure did snarl traffic in the area for a while. That's what free speech is all about.

(The 6 countries whose flags flew over Texas are: Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The Confederacy and The United States)