State Capitols – Sacramento, California – Part 2 - Inside

From 1949 to 1952, a major annex was added to provide offices for California legislators and other state officials. Between 1975 and 1982, what was then the largest restoration project ever in North America transformed the capitol to its former glory. It cost $68 million. In addition to cleaning, restoring or recreating all the design elements in the building, the entire building was reinforced in place to make it more earthquake resistant…a monumental feat given that the original brick foundations and walls were replaced with reinforced concrete and steel while the building and its 220-foot dome remained in place.

California Seal in Stained Glass (17 May 2013)

Above the entrances to the legislative chambers is the state seal in stained glass. The objects depicted represent the state’s desirable features like the Pacific Ocean, the discovery of gold (“Eureka!), the strength of the Grizzly bear and the 31 stars that represent the number of states at the time. The goddess Minerva, who sprang from Jupiter’s head as a full grown adult, symbolizes the fact that California entered the union straight from Mexican possession. It was never a U.S. territory.

California Assembly Chamber, Sacramento (17 May 2013)

The Assembly’s 80 members each represent about 475,000 citizens. In the late 19th century, a German furniture maker produced 120 carved, black walnut desks for the legislature. They were modeled after German school desks and cost $13 each.

California Senate Chamber, Sacramento (17 May 2013)

The image is another of my distorted panorama views, made by pasting together 19 wide angle shots of the room. The Senate has 40 members who each represent about 931,000 citizens. Like the South Carolina capitol, this chamber follows the English tradition and provides a special chair on the dais for the king, but here that chair will always be empty. A portrait of George Washington hangs over the front of the chamber. It dates from 1854 and is the oldest object in the capitol.

Rotunda, California Capitol, Sacramento (17 May 2013)

I really like getting that centered, geometric rotunda shot at every capitol I visit. That was not possible here because that special place in the geographic center of the building is taken by (of all things on the west coast) a statue of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella. This was the best shot I could get without crawling onto the Queen’s lap. I doubt Security would have appreciated such an effort in the name of art.

Chris, the Queen and Some Kid to Balance the Scene

(California Capitol, Sacramento, 17 May 2013)

Completed by Larkin Goldsmith Mead in 1871 from a single block of marble, the statue shows Columbus impressing the Queen with his round thing as Eunuch No. 7 looks on admiringly. While I couldn’t get that centered rotunda shot I prefer, there’s something to be said for an unbalanced view of that great space.

On the two occasions when we visited the capitol, it was a busy place, with events happening on the grounds, workers scurrying about and many visitors, including busloads of school kids…getting in the way of my attempts to photograph the place. That’s OK. These are public buildings after all, and I bristle at the attempts of some capitols to make it harder for us to get into ‘The People’s House’.