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Monday, August 4, 2014

South Dakota's State Capitol in Pierre







The South Dakota Capitol
sits on a sweeping rise.







There was competition for South Dakota's seat of government.  Three elections were held to determine the state's capitol city.  Pierre was selected.  Construction of the Capitol started in 1905 and was completed in 1910.

Being a new state with concerns about financing, South Dakota bought a copy of the architectural plans of the Montana State Capitol for ten dollars.






honors eight South Dakotans,
including Governor Mickelson,
who died in a plane crash in 1993.










South Dakota displays replicas
of the state's first ladies
inaugural gowns.







We toured the Capitol with a group of interns.  Our tour leader, Karen, has extensive knowledge of the building and its history.  She answered all our questions.







Portraits of former governors
hang on the walls.











 including a provision to preserve lands
 set aside for schools.













Each of the sixty-six men who
 laid the terrazzo tile floor were
 given a blue tile to place where
 while laying the floor.




Rooms and hallways have been re purposed since the Capitol was built.  To date, fifty-seven have been found.







The Rotunda
















The grand stairway is made
of stone.









These beautiful  "marble" columns are plaster, made with the scagliola process.







The Capitol's glass floor
viewed from the third floor.









The desks in the Senate
Chamber have been moved
in preparation for new carpet.











is being renovated.










We bought post cards at
the Capitol's Gift Shop.















The shop as a nice selection
 of South Dakota books.









South Dakota's Capitol is beautiful.  There's a lot of history here.

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