State Capitol, Madison
Tuesday, 3rd May 2005 by James Turnbull
Reaching to a height of over 200 feet, the Madison State Capitol dome is the only granite dome in the United States and is topped by Daniel Chester French's bronze statue, "Wisconsin". The building is also distinguished as being the only State Capitol ever built on an isthmus.
Thanks: Seth.
I believe that the Texas state capitol (http://www.answers.com/topic/texas-state-capitol) is also built of granite, including its dome.
Google Sightseeing
Google Sightseeing: Why bother seeing the world for real, when you can look at it through Google’s satellite imagery….
This is really neat. What is really cool, is to fly over the capitol at 11 P.M. in the middle of winter, like my husband & I did back in the late fifties. It was calm and truly beautiful.
Though the Texas state capitol is made mostly out of pink granite, the dome is not. According to the most current WI State Capitol Guide Book, as well as the answers.com site, WI still has the only granite dome in the country.
The State Capitol actually has 2 domes, an inner dome and a much larger outer dome that is made of White Bethel Vermont Granite and supported by approximately 2,500 tons of steel. The top of the bronze gilded statue “Wisconsin”, which symbolizes the state motto “Forward” with her pointing finger, is 284.4 feet from the ground and is the culmination of one of the most spectacular capitol buildings in the country.
The State Capitol also has 2 underground tunnels.
It is, by mandate, the highest point in Madison, though its uppermost balustrade is no longer open to the public. The second highest point, the top of the Van Hise languages building on the UW campus, is also off limits, so the best accessible view in town is on top of the roof of the UW Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences building.
Yay I can see my house from there
Why is Madison Hi-Res, but not Milwaukee? 🙁
Cool! Although, I have to admit “the only state capitol ever built on an ismuth” is about as obscure a statistic as I can imaging! err… perhaps you mean capitAl? referring to the whole city and not just the capitol building? Capitol, with an O refers to the building. Capital with an A refers to the city.
Aaaanyway. here’s some better trivia:
Can you name the ONLY us capitol that does NOT have a dome?
Nick, I’ve checked and I did mean state capitOl and here’s my source.
At least my fact is correct 😉
The “Wisconsin” statute on top of the capitol not only points “forward” but also has a badger on her head. The badger is the state animal. The building just went through a major restoration. If you are in Madison there is a large farmer’s market every Saturday (a smaller version on Wednesdays) and the symphony plays free “Concerts on the Square” every Wed evening. Bring bugspray.
Do you see the four circular driveways on each side? There is a road that takes you under the staircase. Was open to the public pre 9-11. Actually drove under by mistake-made a bad/good? turn. I would guess security would now keep you out.