Minnesota
Home to the longest shoreline of any city on the Mississippi River (26 miles), St. Paul is the site of the current (and third) Minnesota statehouse. Construction began in 1886 when Minnesota had been a state for only 37 years. It opened in 1905 at a cost of 4.5 million dollars (126 million today). In 2017 a 310-million-dollar restoration was completed. The first photo is dated 1905.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s capitol is located in Concord where the first alarm clock was invented in 1797. It is the oldest capitol where both houses occupy their original chambers. The building’s construction began in 1816 and lasted three years. It is the fifth oldest capitol
New York
New York’s capitol is located in Albany. The building was built by hand and took 32 years to complete–1867-1899. It has been said that reporters wanting to talk with the then governor Teddy Roosevelt (1899-1900) had to beat him up the 77 steps of the capitol to get an interview. The first photo seems to show some politicians anxiously awaiting a look inside their new building. If so, they would have to wait another 28 years!. The second photo is dated 1899.
Utah
Utah’s capitol is located in Salt Lake City. The building opened in 1916, has a stunning marble interior, and underwent a 310-million-dollar renovation in 2017. Oddly, Salt Lake City is home to more non-Mormons than Mormons. Also, the city is not dry; it has 118 bars, and the first KFC franchise opened there in 1952. The first photo shows the 1916 dedication.
Texas
The capitol of Texas is the largest of all capitols in the U.S. It is located in Austin, which is the largest city in the country without a professional sports team, and whose motto is “Keep Austin weird.” The building was constructed between 1882-1886. It was funded by two Chicago investors who made good on their investment. They were given ten counties consisting of three million acres that eventually became the XIT Ranch, the largest cattle ranch in the world! The first photo, dated 1888, shows the Lady of Freedom statue shortly before it was installed on the capitol dome. Sixteen feet tall and weighing 20,000 pounds, the Lady of Freedom had exaggerated features so her face would be visible from 300 ft. below. A replacement was installed in 1986, and the original now resides in the Bullock Museum.
