State Capitols – Sacramento, California – Part 1 - Outside

California Capitol in Sacramento (17 May 2013)

Constructed: 1860-1874

Architect: Miner Frederick Butler and Reuben Clark

State Admitted to Union: September 9, 1850 (31st)

State Population [2010]: 37,253,956 (1st)

When I resumed presenting state capitol stories, I noted that some will appear because they’re in the news. Lately, you can’t turn on the news without seeing a story about wildfires and the drought in California. Soon, I believe it will be about floods and mudslides when the El Niño rains hit. Regardless of the headlines, the state leads the nation in so many categories, starting with population and GDP. The state’s economy alone would rank 10th in the world.

The first Europeans explored California in the mid-1500’s. By the early 19th century, northern California was the southern-most reach of Russian Empire’s colonization in North America. After the Russians retreated to Alaska, the region became a province of Mexico when that colony gained independence from Spain in 1821.

Rooftop Decoration, California Capitol, Sacramento (17 May 2013)

When Mexico refused to sell us California so we could complete our Manifest Destiny dreams, we ginned up an excuse to invade and defeat the country. The Mexican War that ended in 1848 made sale negotiations easier. Since the area was already settled and the Gold Rush flooded the territory with more people, the state entered the union immediately. Capitols were located briefly in San Jose, Vallejo and Benicia before Sacramento became the permanent site in 1854. Completed in 1874, it is the oldest capitol west of the Mississippi River.

Spanish American War Hiker Statue, 

California State Capitol, Sacramento (17 May 2013) 

The capitol grounds are quite extensive, covering 10 square blocks in downtown Sacramento. The landscaping includes a trout pond, pictured above with the ‘Hiker’ statue. Foot soldiers in the Spanish American War were known as ‘hikers’. The grounds also include the Civil War Memorial Grove, created in 1867 with trees taken from southern Civil War battlefields. Only three of the trees survive to this day.

California Capitol, Sacramento (10 May 2007)

The construction of the capitol took 14 years and spanned several administrations. When the funds ran out, construction ceased and had to wait until the legislature allocated more money…not a timely factor given they met only two months every other year. This might explain why one of the principal architects, Reuben Clark broke down and died in a mental institution. When it was completed, the final bill was $2.5 million.

AH-nold The Governator (10 May 2007)

In 2007, we were driving from San Francisco to Reno for another of my futile attempts at bowling greatness on the big stage. The capitol was on the way so we stopped to visit. The following year, as the Dead Presidents Quest ended, the State Capitol Odyssey took greater shape and I needed to return and shoot the place more thoroughly. That happened in 2013 since the tournament was again in Reno. One highlight of the earlier visit was seeing Governor Schwarzenegger as he gave a brief press briefing. Apparently, everyone was told to wear gray suits that day.

The next post will highlight interior features of this fine building.