Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-03-13
THE STATE CAPITOL.
HOW IT WILL LOOK INSIDE AND
OUTSIDE.
The Character and style OF Aroht-
lecture EmplOyed-Its Effect from
the Approach by Water and from
the Beautiful Grounds which
Will Surround Ii.

OF its own State. While the Mime.
sofa capitol is the more expensive
that of this State has more artistic
appearance. OF the Washington
building and grounds it says:
"The new Stale house for Washing.
ton is located at Olympia, city OF
about 5000 persons, and the capital OF
the State. The site chosen is a charm
ing one at the head Of Puget Sound.
When Washington was made State
the national government set aside
132 900 acres of land to be devoted to
the building OF a capitol.
at is customary for the national
government to set aside large tracts OF
undeveloped land when Territory is
admitted to Statehood, to be sold by
the State for certain purposes. When
Texas was male State the million or
more acres set aside by the govern.
ment for new capitol purposes were
placed in the hands of Chicago com.
pany and sold to the highest bidder.
The money thus realized helped to
erect the new State capitol in Texas.
The national government has also set
aside several hundred thousand acres
in the new State of Washington. this
land to be disposed of at favorable
times, and the proceeds devoted to
school purposes. The $4,000 acres
for the new capitol will be sold in one
block, if purchaser can he found
and the sums realized will aid greatly
in preliminary work on the new capi-
tol building. 1t is quite probable a
company of capitalists will take the
land and develop it.
"Prof. Ware of Columbia college, to
whom was assigned the task OF pass
ing on the architectural merits of the
lc8 designs submitted in the cOmpeti'
ton, pronounced Mr.. Flagg's design
the best, and the New York architect
was chosen for the work by the capitol
commission.
"The capitol grounds occupy an
eminence above the city and overlook
the Sound, so that the new building
can be seen for many miles as vessels
approach the city. The style of srchi'
lecture is best called modern. It is 9
nineteenth century adaptation of the
renaissance. The building is $50 feel
long and $50 feet wide. 1t is in shape
an oblong rectangle, having projecting
pavilions at the corners, and sur
mounted by dome. which rises to q
height of 200 feet above the ground
and $50 feet above the water. The
main facade faces the south, and ar
open loggia behind coupled Corinthiar
columns extends along this front be
tween the corner pavilions. The mair
entrance is sheltered by q portico Gov
cred by q pediment carried on Corin
THAN columns like those o! the loggis
"Above the main entrance will bt
the colossal groups OF statuary. Ths
center one represents the western
march of the empire. This dome, like
the rest of the building, is entirely o
masonry. In the dome are eigh,
large semi-circular windows, separated
from each other by buttresses, eact
crowned by . colossal seated statue
Above the windows are rich panels
surmounted by sculptured pediments
each bearing tablet inscribed will
the name of one of Americas Creates
men. The center panel bears tht
name Of Washington.
"The dome proper is pierced will
circular openings, giving it the appear
ance of open work masonry. Thi'
supports very rich lantern, crowned
by bronze figure of Victory. Th'
central room in the interior is the 70
tunda, under the dome. 1t ha'
double walls, between which run foul
flights of the main staircase. Th'
whole interior OF the rotunda is to b.
constructed, and it is intended t
make it the finest single room il
America. A great effect is produce'
by the double walls and the rich styl
of architecture. The interior is trav
ersed by broad corridors. also liue'
with stone. The Senate chamber is Il
the left of the rotnnda, as one enter
from the main entrance, and 10 q semi
circular room, about 80 feet in diane
ter, with . colonnade OF Corinthia'
columns similar TO that in the Hous
of Representatives at Washington
All the interior of the Senate cham
Der, up to the main cornice, is exc
cuted in stone.
"The House OF Representatives oc
cupies a similar position to the righ
lof the rotunda, and is in the sam