page_title: New Mexico State Capitol
section_title: 1886 Capitol
hierarchical_section_title: New Mexico State Capitol / Previous capitol buildings / 1886 Capitol
caption_attribution_description: English: view of Capitol building (now replaced elsewhere in the city) from New-Mexican adobe yard
context_page_description: The New Mexico State Capitol, located in Santa Fe at 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, is the house of government of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the only round state capitol in the United States, and is known informally as "the Roundhouse".
context_section_description: In 1886, a new building replaced the antiquated Palace of the Governors as the territorial capitol. Four stories high, the monumental building was constructed from sandstone quarried in Lamy and topped by colossal bronze statues representing Liberty, Justice, Commerce and Industry. It was designed by Chicago architect E. S. Jennison. Six years after its opening, on the evening of May 12, 1892, a fire began and destroyed the structure, though bystanders were able to save most of the archives, books, and furniture. The building was uninsured and its loss cost the state over $200,000.
  An investigation concluded the fire was set deliberately, as it reportedly broke out in two separate areas simultaneously and a crucial emergency hose seemed to have been sabotaged.
  
  The identity and motive of the perpetrator were never determined.
caption: As sketched from a distance in 1890
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