It is no surprise then that the Topeka Capitol Building is one of the historic treasures of the state of Kansas, the creation of a local Kansas architect, John G. They felt the Kansas State House should “rival the National Capitol as well as any of the best capitols of the eastern states.” After the horrors and hardships suffered during the Civil War years, it was thought that what was needed was a building to inspire the best of themselves and the people who not only lived in Kansas City, but also in the whole state of Kansas. “The Kansas Governor and Legislature wanted the finest capitol building for their state. 14th 1866, the governor signed into law a bill which funded such an endeavor into law. The Chambers and Hall of Representatives, plus the offices of the elected officials and heir staff, not a small undertaking, especially when something grand was the goal. The city of Topeka, the capitol city of Kansas was in need of a capitol building to house the bodies of government: Senate. The second floor of the Capitol building one finds the inspiring murals by Kansas native son, John Stuart Curry, who is best known for his portrait of John Brown. (No, Tom and I didn’t make it up!) For those of us who can’t quite huff up the stairs, go to Washburn University’s Kansas State Capitol web page. There are 256 stairs in the staircase which leads to the observation deck at the top of the rotunda, where the hardy soul who makes the trip can see through the windows a glorious display. The outside copper dome is a few feet higher than the dome on our nation’s capitol. The rotunda is 5 floors and the interior glass dome. The five floor beautiful Topeka Capitol Building is known as the People’s House, with its inspirational Italian Renaissance Revival style, including Corinthian columns, an impressive dome and an east and west wing which are attached to the main building which houses the Chambers, Hall of Representatives, Governor’s Office, committee rooms and other offices. One spirit wants back-pay and one unhappy spirit can’t let go…
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |