Drawing of first Texas Capitol (1839-1856) in Austin. From the State Preservation Board website, courtesy of Texas State Library and Archives.
Old Stone Capitol, Austin, Texas. From the State Preservation Board website, courtesy of the Austin History Center.
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Background
There have been three buildings that served as the Texas State Capitol. The first was a simple building that was the only one used for both the governments of the Republic of Texas and the State of Texas. It was located in Austin near the present day streets of 8th St. and Colorado St. (Fowler 19).
The second building was known as the Old Stone Capitol. The foundation for the building was laid in 1852 (Fowler 23). The building served as the capitol until it burned to the ground on November 19, 1881.
The Old Stone Capitol burning in 1881. From the State Preservation Board website, courtesy of the Austin History Center.
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Current Texas State Capitol north entrance. Photo by Sharon Farrow, December 2002.
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The current Texas State Capitol was the third building to serve as the government seat of Texas. The plans to build the new capitol were approved by the Texas voters in 1876, but the legislature did not act on the mandate until 1879 (Fowler 36). This capitol was inspired by the nation's capitol and it in turn inspired many county courthouses in cities across Texas (de la Teja 296).
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Header photo: Photo of Capitol dome by Keith Farrow, June 2010.