All photos by "Molly"
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| Bismarck, North Dakota |
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| Helena, Montana |
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| Cheyenne, Wyoming |
We have made it over half way for our goal of seeing all fifty-one capitols. Yes, I can count. There are fifty states, but let's not forget the Big one in DC.
I was originally going to include all four in one posting, but discovered it would much tooooooo long. So, see other posting(s) later on.
I was originally going to include all four in one posting, but discovered it would much tooooooo long. So, see other posting(s) later on.
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| Montgomery, Alabama
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One of the goals for our Western tour was to add to my list of capitols that I have visited. So, in planning, I routed us through North Dakota and Montana...two states which neither of us had ever visited. After Bismarck, North Dakota and Helena, Montana, we would have completed the Northern Plains region. I also wanted to revisit Cheyenne and Montgomery. I have a passport book that collects stamps at the various capitol buildings. I wanted two things from Cheyenne--to find her Liberty Bell and to collect my stamp. This was accomplished. In Montgomery, I also wanted a picture of her Liberty Bell. I also wanted to get a picture of Mrs. Wallace's (as governor) bust and pedestal . Unfortunately, as you can see by the clock, we were too late to get into the building, but we did find the bell. Montgomery was one of the Capitols that we visited before I had made a goal of seeing all of them. So, I was not looking for special things about it.
Bismarck, North Dakota
Address
600 East Boulevard Ave
Phone #
701-328-2480
Website:
Email:
tourcal@nd.gov
Architect, Style and Year Built: Joseph Bell DeRemer, Grand Forks, & WF Kurke, Fargo with Assoc. Arch. Holabird & Root, Chicago; Art Deco, 1932-1934
Building features:
Exterior: Walls: Wisconsin black granite & white Indiana limestone; steps: Minnesota granite
Elevator doors and Revolving doors are made of bronze. The elevator door are detailed with symbols denoting the history of ND; above each revolving door are figures of a farmer and miner, the two major industries of ND.
Legislative Hall: Rosewood/curly maple
Memorial Hall: Tennessee Marble (floor), Bronze (columns and window frames). There are several (chandeliers) light fixtures that are twelve feet long and 30 inches in diameter. They are designed to look like sheaves of wheat and have 109 light bulbs in each (the guide could not answer my question of why 109).
Interior Walls: Yellowstone Travertine
House: Walls: American Chestnut; Desks: American Walnut; The Circular lighting is known as "Stars and Moon at Night."
Senate: Walls: Quarter-sawed English Oak; Desks: American Oak. The Circular lighting is known as "Sunrise or Sunset."
Nicknames:
Peace Garden State, Flickertail State, Roughrider State, Dakota
Entered Union: #39 November 2, 1889
Senate: 94
House of Representative/Assembly:47
Architect, Style and Year Built: Joseph Bell DeRemer, Grand Forks, & WF Kurke, Fargo with Assoc. Arch. Holabird & Root, Chicago; Art Deco, 1932-1934
Building features:
Exterior: Walls: Wisconsin black granite & white Indiana limestone; steps: Minnesota granite
Elevator doors and Revolving doors are made of bronze. The elevator door are detailed with symbols denoting the history of ND; above each revolving door are figures of a farmer and miner, the two major industries of ND.
Legislative Hall: Rosewood/curly maple
Memorial Hall: Tennessee Marble (floor), Bronze (columns and window frames). There are several (chandeliers) light fixtures that are twelve feet long and 30 inches in diameter. They are designed to look like sheaves of wheat and have 109 light bulbs in each (the guide could not answer my question of why 109).
Interior Walls: Yellowstone Travertine
House: Walls: American Chestnut; Desks: American Walnut; The Circular lighting is known as "Stars and Moon at Night."
Senate: Walls: Quarter-sawed English Oak; Desks: American Oak. The Circular lighting is known as "Sunrise or Sunset."
Nicknames:
Peace Garden State, Flickertail State, Roughrider State, Dakota
Entered Union: #39 November 2, 1889
Quarter:
.
Tours: Guided or self-guided tours. We used the
guided tour...the lady was really sweet, but one could not answer any question
that was off script. One can only see the Judicial (Supreme Court) if it
not in session and one takes the guided tour. Also the Monkey Room is
available to view if one is on the guided tour.
Hours for Guided Tours
Monday--Friday Hourly 9:00 am--11:00 am;1:00 pm--3:00 pm
MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY
Monday--Friday: Hourly 8:00 am--11:00 am; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 am; 1:00 pm--4:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday--Friday: Hourly 8:00 am--11:00 am; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 am; 1:00 pm--4:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Weekend and holiday visitors must be on a guided tour.
Senate: 94
House of Representative/Assembly:47
Cornerstone: Could not find it. It is probably
located behind the construction of the new wing. Later found that it can be seen from the window in Memorial Stadium by looking left. It is made of ND glacieral granite.
Dome/Rotunda/Dome topper: This is one of nine capitols without
a dome. In rebuilding the capitol after the fire, it was decided
that usable space was more important and efficient than a dome.
Usable space is 80% versus as low as 29% in at least one other
state. There is no rotunda, but the ceiling in Memorial Hall on the
first floor is forty feet tall.
One of four (or three and a half) tower office building
style capitols. The others are Lincoln and Baton Rouge. The half is
Florida as its "old" capitol is used as a museum and stands next to
the office tower. Any time something newsworthy at the capitol is filmed,
the back drop is always the "old" building complete with its candy
striped awnings. As some states need added room, office tower buildings
are often built near the older domed building. Some other states add onto
the older building.
Art: The Hall of Fame of people from North Dakota was
along the walls of the ground floor. Painted portraits not only included
each of their likenesses, but the background gave a clue for what they were
famous (i.e., Roger Maris--baseball images and Yankee Stadium, Lawrence
Welk--couples dancing in formal attire).
The eighteenth floor (Observation Deck--enclosed) had a
gallery of photos--old and new --of historical events and people. Also on
the eighteenth (and in the lounge of the ladies' room on the ground floor) were
beautiful pieces of wicker/rattan furniture made by residents of a school or institution.
The grounds have
several bigger than life bronzes:
Sakakawea (This is the way it is spelled in the Northern Plains states) and her baby "Pomp"
John Burke, a ND Legislator, Governor, Supreme Court Justice and US TreasurerSakakawea (This is the way it is spelled in the Northern Plains states) and her baby "Pomp"
And, surprise, surprise--the Bison
On the grounds also: Bronzes of Pioneers of the Future (two young people); Pioneer Family; Peace Officers' Memorial, All Veterans Centennial Memorial.
Rather impressive was 40/8 Car (picture did not come out well). A train box car used during WWI and WWII to transport forty men and eight horses. It was given to ND by the people of France. It is also called "The French Gratitude." On the outside of the boxcar are the emblems of the units that were transported by this method.
There are also bronze busts in various places within the building.
What makes this capital special:
1. By building an office style building, costs were kept within the $2,000,000 budget.
7. HIGHLY suggested by the locals (Evergreeners, folks in restaurants, just about everyone to whom we talked) was the Heritage Center across the street from the Capitol building. It has been renovated and about doubled in size. One small problem, it was closed due to the construction. Guess I have to go back to ND sometime.
8. Senate elected every four years; House, two years. Sessions are about 80 days over four months.
9. House and Senate are at the same end of the building...a small hall separates.
Rather impressive was 40/8 Car (picture did not come out well). A train box car used during WWI and WWII to transport forty men and eight horses. It was given to ND by the people of France. It is also called "The French Gratitude." On the outside of the boxcar are the emblems of the units that were transported by this method.
There are also bronze busts in various places within the building.
Liberty Bell:
(Each state and most territories have been gifted at least one
replica of the liberty bell. Each bell is numbered. Missouri has
two—one of which is located at the Harry S Truman Library (#54) in
Independence, MO, given by the city of Annecy-le-Vieux to the city of
Independence. My guess would be that this choice was made as Truman was
President at the time of the gifting. The second one was given to the
State of Missouri and resides on capitol grounds (#20).
The fifty five full-sized replicas were cast in 1950 by the
Paccard Foundry in Annecy-le-Vieux, France and shipped as gifts to states and territories
to thank the United States for its part in France’s liberation. They were
funded by a savings bond drive.
In some states, the replica bells are located outside on the
grounds of the capitol; some states have located them in other prestigious places
such as state historical societies; some states don’t seem to have a clue where
it is.)
This is one of those states. My source says that it is
"on loan" and located in a local high school. No one could
confirm this. Number 29.
2. Ground are a 130-acre complex.
3. The eighteenth floor has wonderful vistas...360 degrees...one can see up to 35 miles aw on a clear day.
4. The first capitol burned down in 1930 during the winter. It is believed that the fire was cause by spontaneous combustion of oil rags.
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| Photo taken from picture in the Ladies' room lounge. |
5. The Construction was disrupted by workers who wanted a raise from 30 cents and hour to 50 cents. A small riot. The National Guard. Building was finished in 1934 (I do not know the result of the pay increase).
6. The Hall of Fame is known as the "Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Awards." Recipients must either have been born in ND or spent most of his/her life their. Lawrence Welk was the first named recipient.
And, then there is Roger Maris. I have a love/hate opinion of him. He spent most of career as a New York Yankee...boo, hiss. He finished his career with St. Louis. I don't have any particular feeling for St. Louis except they beat MY Red Sox in 1967 (and I'm still holding this particular grudge). Maris was on that team. However, due to the score in one game in which he brought in the last RBI, I won the ONLY baseball pool ever. So, Roger, "61 in 61" is good, I suppose.
7. HIGHLY suggested by the locals (Evergreeners, folks in restaurants, just about everyone to whom we talked) was the Heritage Center across the street from the Capitol building. It has been renovated and about doubled in size. One small problem, it was closed due to the construction. Guess I have to go back to ND sometime.
8. Senate elected every four years; House, two years. Sessions are about 80 days over four months.
9. House and Senate are at the same end of the building...a small hall separates.
10. "North Dakota" is spelled out in red petunias surrounded by white petunias and edged with purple-ish blue petunias. Looks pretty spectacular from the eighteenth floor.
11. The collection of wicker furniture is amazing...on the eighteenth floor and the ladies' room lounge:
And a few miscellaneous photos:
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