Missouri State Capitol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Missouri State Capital Building and Grounds
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
Missouri State Capitol showing the Missouri River in the background
|
|
 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 201 West Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, Missouri |
|---|---|
| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | Tracy and Swartwout |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 69000096 |
| Added to NRHP | June 23, 1969 |
The Missouri State Capitol is where the government of Missouri works. It's the main building for the Missouri General Assembly, which makes laws, and the executive branch, which carries them out. You can find it in Jefferson City at 201 West Capitol Avenue.
This building is actually the third state capitol built in Jefferson City. The first two were destroyed by fire. The current building has a large dome and was finished in 1917. It was designed by a company called Tracy and Swartwout from New York City.
When you approach Jefferson City from the north, the capitol's dome is often the first thing you see. Inside the capitol, you'll find the Missouri Senate and the Missouri House of Representatives. It also has offices for important leaders like the governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of state.
The Missouri State Capitol is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site.
Contents
Architecture and Art
Outside the Capitol Building
The outside of the Missouri State Capitol is quite special. It has a large dome that looks a bit like St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This dome rises 238 feet (73 m) high! On top of the dome, there's a bronze statue of Ceres. She is the Roman goddess of farming.
The building also has many tall columns. There are eight columns on the south side and six on the north side. A wide grand staircase leads up to the entrance. The bronze entrance doors are huge, each measuring 13 by 18 feet (4.0 m × 5.5 m).
Look closely at the north side, and you'll see a frieze (a long band of sculptures). It shows the history of Missouri. Another artist continued this story on the south side. The figures above the main entrance were also sculpted by a famous artist.
Inside the Capitol Building
The first floor of the capitol is home to the State Museum. Here, you can see beautiful mural paintings and statues. One of the most famous parts is a series of murals painted by Thomas Hart Benton in the House Lounge.
Near the grand staircase, you'll find large bronze statues of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. On the third floor, there's the Hall of Famous Missourians. This hall displays bronze busts (head and shoulder sculptures) of important people from Missouri who achieved great things.
High up inside the dome, there's a special place called a whispering gallery. If you whisper on one side, someone far away on the other side can hear you! There's also a small viewing platform on the dome's roof. These areas are usually only open for school groups and special tours.
Capitol Gardens and Statues
The grounds around the capitol building are also filled with amazing statues. Near the south entrance, you'll see large bronze figures that represent Missouri's two big rivers: the Mississippi and the Missouri. There's also a 13-foot (4 m) tall statue of Thomas Jefferson.
On the south lawn, you can find The Sciences and The Arts Fountains. Each fountain has four figures representing different fields of knowledge. On the north side, there's a bronze relief showing the signing of the Louisiana Purchase. You can also see the Fountain of the Centaurs there.
Visiting the Capitol
The Missouri State Capitol is the most popular tourist spot in Jefferson City. Many school groups visit, especially when the General Assembly is meeting. Students can sit in the galleries and watch the Senate and House of Representatives at work. It's a great way to see how laws are made!
History of the Building
The capitol building we see today was finished in 1917. It was ready for use the next year. This is the third capitol in Jefferson City and the sixth in Missouri's history. The very first state government offices were in St. Louis, then in St. Charles. St. Charles was the temporary capital from 1821 to 1826.
Leaders decided the capitol should be more in the center of the state. They wanted it near the Missouri River. The current spot in Jefferson City was chosen because it had the best view of the river.
The first capitol building in Jefferson City was made of brick and had two stories. It was completed around 1826 for about $18,500 (which is like $equivalent to $478,497 in 2022 today). This building was called the "Governor's House and State Capitol." Sadly, it burned down in 1837. Today, the Missouri Governor's Mansion stands on that spot.
The fifth capitol building (the second one on the current site) was finished in 1840. It cost about $350,000 (like $equivalent to $10,259,667 in 2022 today). This building also burned down on February 5, 1911, after being struck by lightning. By then, it was too small for the state's needs.
After the fire, a new building was planned. The original budget was $3 million (about $94.22 million today). An extra $500,000 was set aside for the site and furniture. However, the state ended up collecting more money than expected, totaling $4,215,000. All this money was used for the project. This is why the sculptures and artwork in the building are so impressive!
Architects were chosen through a design competition. Their names were kept secret to ensure fairness. Out of 69 firms, Tracy & Swarthout from New York was chosen.
The building's design is balanced, giving equal importance to the House and Senate. It looks similar to the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., and also to ancient Greek and Roman temples. The stone used for the outside is a strong marble from Carthage, Missouri.
The building is five stories tall. It is 437 feet (133 m) long and 300 feet (90 m) wide in the middle. The dome itself is 238 feet (73 m) high. The building has a huge amount of floor space, about 500,000 square feet (50,000 m2).
- Rotunda Chandelier Story
In 2006, a very heavy chandelier in the dome, weighing 9,000 lb (4,100 kg), fell about five feet while being lowered for cleaning. It was damaged and sent away for repairs. Almost a year later, the chandelier was returned and put back in place. Its upper lights, which had been off for 40 years, were also fixed. This chandelier was made in 1918 for $5,000 (about $equivalent to $97,279 in 2022 today). Its restoration cost $500,000 (about $equivalent to $725,817 in 2022 today).
Images for kids
-
The Missouri River high out of its banks during the "Great Flood of 1993."
-
View of the Missouri Capitol and grounds from southeast.
-
The chandelier being raised after restoration.
-
Missouri State Capitol building.
-
Interior view of the capitol dome.
-
Flowering dogwood trees on the capitol's north side
-
The Capitol building decorated for the gubernatorial inauguration of Eric Greitens in 2017
-
Capitol building from the front - 2017
-
The Sciences Fountain
-
Building restoration in 2019
-
A fountain dedicated to veterans in the Capitol Complex. The text says "Missouri Veterans Guardians of Liberty"
-
Underneath the stairway and main entrance
-
Close up of the back side of the building
See also
In Spanish: Capitolio del Estado de Misuri para niños
- List of state and territorial capitols in the United States
