There is free three hour
parking near the
Missouri State Capitol
in
Jefferson City.
The Capitol overlooks the
Missouri River.
Columns grace the front
of the Capitol.
Thomas Jefferson
greets visitors.
The previous State Capitol, on this site,
burned to the ground on February 5, 1911. Bonds were issued to pay for construction decoration of a new Capitol. The cornerstone was laid by the
Grand Lodge of Missouri AF and AM on
June 24, 1915.
Our tour guide, Kelly, told us this interesting story about the Capitol. The construction and decoration fund was larger than expected... about $750,000.00.
Governor Sam Baker tried to shift money from the decoration fund to the General Fund. Because of the way the decoration fund was set up, his efforts to shift allocated money to the General Fund was illegal. The decoration funds were used as intended, resulting in a beautifully adorned State Capitol.
This story peaked my interest. I confirmed it with a
Missouri State Librarian.
The Rotunda
The Governor's tenacity
in retaining extra funds
is shown in the beautiful
artwork & statuary in
the Capitol.
Decoration Commission members hired artists in Europe to paint canvases that were carefully mounted beneath the Rotunda.
Beautifully painted
arched ceilings.
The
Governor's
private office
Assembling the first
This painting shows a
bridge spanning the
Reclamation of the South
Low lying swamps are
drained for farmland.
The original wallpaper
was found under nine
layers of paint.
Lighter colored paint was selected to cover the walls in this area because it's dimly
lit here.
Legislators were not pleased
with Benton's depiction of
Missouri & its history.
They wanted to reject the
work & have it covered.
Benton spoke to the
Legislators & told them
that he represented the
good & the bad in
the State's history.
The Legislature put forth
bills to whitewash parts
of the mural & to protect
other parts of it.
A portrait of Missouri's
beloved son....
Samuel Clemons,
aka Mark Twain
The stained glass panels
above the Speaker's Desk
represents peace.
The mural on the back wall
of the chamber is a scene
Famous Missourians....
1940s star
Betty Grable
Lloyd's of London insured
her legs for $1 million.
frequently partnered
Sacajawea, the only woman
on the
Lewis & Clark
Expedition.
She translated for the
group & was an
ambassador to tribes
along the route.
the World's Most
Famous Clown
Baker performed in France
for many years.
She was a courier for the
during World War II.
came into American living
rooms nightly on the
Our son Adam's favorite
Laura Ingalls Wilder
is known to all for
Little House on the
Prairie & other books
about 19th century
life in the Midwest.
imagination gave the world
Composer & Pianist Scott Joplin
is known the King of Ragtime.
After living as a slave in
freedom in the courts,
starting in 1847.
The Supreme Court ruled against Scott in March, 1857, stating that he because he was black, he was not a U.S.citizen and had no right to sue. In essence, private individuals keep slaves in free states and territories, legally disobeying established law. The decision was well received by Southerners. It enraged Northerners and was one of the influences that led to
Abraham Lincoln's nomination and presidential election in 1860.
Radio Host Rush Limbaugh
I am
not a
Ditto Head.
The Missouri State Capitol is very beautiful. The excess funding from the construction bonds has been thoughtfully used. I love state capitols that spend the time and funds needed to show off their state and its history.
