Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-06-26
STATE CAPITOL.
The First One Used in Sacramento
Erected in 1854.

The First One Used in Sacramento
Erected in 1854.
After the vote of the Legislature of Cali
fornia had passed, February %, 1854, to re-
move the Capitol from Benicia to Sacra-
mento, it of course became necessary to
have some suitable building in which to
meet, and as the Courthouse, the use of
which was rendered by this city to the
State, was too small and inconvenient, on
the 9th of September, 1854, the foundation
stone of the present Courthouse, which
was used by several sessions of the Cali
fornia Legislature, was laid. The cere-
mony, which was performed by the
Masonic fraternity, was most imposing and
interesting About P. NJ the Suffer
Rifles, the Sons of Temperance, the State,
county and city officials, and large body
of citizens formed into line ON Second
street with the right, occupied by the
Rifles, resting on J street, and preceded by
brass band proceeded up street to
Sixth, through Sixth to l, up to Seventh,
and through Seventh to the
NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE EDIFIcE.
A large platform, which had been con-
structed for the accommodation of those
who were to take an active part in the GER
monies, was then taken possession of by
the Fraternity. Isaac Davis, the Grand
Lecturer and acting Master, called the au-
dience to order and announced that the GER
emOnieS would commence. The cap of the
stone was then raised and the Grand Chap
lain, the Rev. B. F. Crouch, offered an elo
quent and appropriate prayer. The Grand
Treasurer was then called upon to deposit
the treasures within the stone, whereupon
Judge Heard read list of the articles con-
tanned therein, as follows: Copies of the
Holy Bible, Constitution of the United
States, the treaty with Mexico ceding Cali
fornia to the United States, the Constitu-
ton of the State of California, the Act of
Congress admitting California as State
into the Union, one copy each of the news
papers issued in the city and county of Sac
ramento, including the daily, weekly and
steamer issues. The structure was erected
with so much vigor as to be completed on
the Doth day Of December following.
THE BUILDING WITH THE PoRTIco
Is $50 feet in length by so feet in width,
contained two large halls; the Assembly
Chamber being Y feet in length by AZ feet
in width, and % feet in hight, with a gal
lery capable of holding $50 persons; the
Senate Chamber being 20 feet in length by
35 in width, the same hight as the Assem-
bly, Chamber, with gallery capable OF
holding 100 persons.
IN ADDITION TO THESE HALLS
Were fifteen large rooms, suitable for
offices and committee-rooms. The build
ing was erected by the city of Sacramento
at cost of $500, 600, for the use of which
the State paid rental of $4,000 per month,
or at the rate of twenty-four cent. per an
mum as interest.
Following is a list of those who were en-
gagged in the buildings construction d.
Farquharson, architect; Frank Denver and
Judge Cole, Superintendents; Joseph
Nougues and Garret Welton, contractors /;
Prosser & Turton, brickwork; Knox &
Farquharson. carpenters; Luce Il Aitken,
stonework William McKibbin, ironwork.
The building was dedicated on the night
of December %, 1854. with grand ball.
The steamers Wilson G. Hunt and Eclipse
brought up large number of San Fran
ciscans, who took part in the festivities.