Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-10-21

On the S.h Of Nov, 1882 (being twenty-seven years.
a day. after the passage Of the first act making Mont
peer the capitaJ the Legislature made provision for
"erectiug new State House at Montpelier" on cond
ton that the inhabitants Of Montpelier shall give good
and sufficient security, by the LIST day Of Jan. following
"to pay into the treasury of this State the Of fifteen
thousand dolar half Of said be paid in one
year and the remainder in years from the passage Of
this act, Montpelier gave the bond thus required. and
than fulfilled IL, having, in addition, purchased
land for the State at an expense Of SO O0Ohus making
the sum Of SIS 600 paid by Montpelier for the second
State-House. Samuel c. Gratis, Allen Wardncr and
Geo T. Hodges fixed the site Of the new house. (about
two hundred aud fifty feet northwest Of the first State
house, and adopted the plan ofAmmi d. Young Lob
beus Egcrton the superintendent until the autumn
ofls36, when Ammi b. Young appointed, he having
been the architect from the beginning The work was
commenced in the winter Of 1885 and completed in the
Of 1888, 1--we years and half cost OF $780,
07723 The exterior walls Of granite lined with
brick and the partitions in the basement or first story
also Of brebut the partitions above were Of wood
As the site, and grounds OF the third now the
newt State House the as Of tho second we copy
the entire description Of the latter from 1hompsons
Vermont
Ihe building stands elevated site about s25 feet
north Of State street. which 1t fronts aud is about So
feet above the level oft The the grounds
and principal approach to the house from that street. is
grounds and all their details n keeping with the
building, and assist in giving 10 il that consideration il
should have, as the capitol ola furnishing, independent
state The building very neat and simple Ia It's design;
apure architectural character is preserved throughout
this combined with the convenience Of interior arrange
ment, aud the permancncy Of its construction, renders
as'rucure Of more merit than any other n New Eng
land IL Ia form ola cross showing in front centre
~ feet broad ornamcnted with projecting porco OF
six columns feet in diameter Of the Grecian Dorie or.
der, with s proper entablaure and pedment extending
the whole width ofthe centre and two wings each 30 ee
feet he ufre Is
feet deep, and the wings 90 feet deep. 10 the apex
the pedmen OF the portco in the centre is 60 feet and
TO the top OF the dome loo feet from the ground Tn,
wings 30 feet high The walls OF the exterior are OF
beautiful coorcd granite, which shows the archteetu-
raj details great Vantage and the roof and dome are
covered with copper.
'The interior is entered in front from the porteo
through door feet WIDE INTO the entrance hail % by
81 feet IA feet high the ceiling Of which is supported by
Ionic columns. rs inches in diameor there is also
entrance from each endand rear Of the building,
ncatng with the entrance ball. by corridors OF pr0pc
width In the lower story offices for the Secrear,
Of State, the State Treasurer the Auditor Of Accounts
and the Engrossng Clerk. the two first have fire proc
safes attached TO them There are also in his stor,
eleven committee rooms, and two rooms for furnaces
TO heat the halls, &c in the principal story. To Tho
right and left nom the entrance hall two spacious stair
ways lead to two circular halls landings in the second
principal story These halls 20 feet in diameter
and ~ feet high with domical ceilings and communeat,
with ihe senate chamber and its gallery the yesbu &,
the representatives, hall, the governors ro0n the libra
r and several rooms Tor the officers Of the senate
and they also communicate by starways and gacriei
with the gallery TO the representatives, hall and commit
the attic. The Ncstbule 10 the
tves hall Is is by 80 feet Is high, aud is square IN pan
The representatives. hall is in form the letter d. Is b
by 81 feet and 81 feet high, with domca ceilings Tn
senate chamber Is eptca the PLAN 80 by "A feet an,
p feet high, with domical ceilings. The governor roou
is square 20 by "a feet Is feet high. The library is h
by 80 feet is feet high, with gallery aud shelves capab
Of holding 1900 volumes. All the above rooms are fn
ished in neat and appropriate manner the walls hav
an agreeable architectural ordinance Of columns pa,
tiers. inches autac &c, and their ceilings are pannele
in the simple and Imposing style Of Greoian archectur,
From the peculiar profile Of the mouldngs Of the ceiling
and the cures Of the arches the most beautiful grnda
tons Of light aud shade Produced from the brqhes
light the deepest shade so combined as 10 oVe m
greatest possible effect and beauty 10 the whole III
rooms all furnished IN a and Appropriate man
ner with their proper furniture The representative,
hall has hard wood desks and seats for The members an
the oicera their proper desks and chairs The govern
or's room and senate chamber furnished with blae
walnut tables and chas aud every thing is IN pelec
keeping throughout the house"
This house frst occupied by the Legislature
Oct, 1885, aud after twenty years Of use on the ev
ming Of the 9th Of JAM 1851 the building took fire und
the floor Of the Representatives Hall From thence IL
FIRE within the ceiling to the roof and DOME an
quickly tanned "our beautiful house into ruin, whic
can be matched for peiuesq nowhere short Of III
land. and perhaps the very temple tina, gave the pat.r
for the chief glory Of ours-we the portico.
The accompanying view Of the ruin is an accurate an
very fine engraving from ambrotype-ndeed too fin,
~ engraved for newspaper use Il gives the exterior
the second State House without the dome