About
The Texas Capitol building in Austin is impressive from the moment you see it. Located at the end of Congress Avenue, this beautiful building can’t be missed.
The architecture is stunning, and as you walk around the exterior and interior, you’ll find various historical markers all around. I enjoyed taking my time to explore all of the historical present.
Stepping inside, the stunning entrance really makes an impression. You’ll feel like royalty stepping into a castle from the 1700s.
Outside, the grounds are well-maintained, and the gardens are lush and green.
If you like people watching like me, you’ll notice it’s a busy building with a lot of people doing important work here. You can only imagine the conversations people are having here.
Construction of the Texas Capitol building began on February 1, 1882, and the cornerstone was placed on March 2, 1885. It had its completion celebration on May 16, 1888. Designed by E.E. Myers, who was a well-known architect from Detroit, it took six years and ten months from the start to the official finish to build the Capitol.
Overall, the building and grounds cover about three acres of space, and there are 18 acres of floor space within the area. In total, there are 392 rooms and 18 vaults located here.
And while I was there, I learned it’s taller than the National Capitol in Washington, D.C. And for those that love architecture as I do, you’ll love the red granite that is on the exterior walls here. It came from Burnet County, which is part of the Highland Lakes region! The interior is made of limestone, and this impressive structure has a roof that is 85,000 square feet all on its own—with much of it made from copper.
The Texas Capitol is well worth a visit, not only to learn about the history of Texas but for the incredible photo ops and outdoor gazing experiences.
Interesting Facts About the Texas Capitol
There’s a really neat underground addition that was added to the building called the Capitol Extension. It created four tunnels that connect to the other buildings in the area.
In 1993, this space was opened to the public and is definitely worth exploring. There are numerous skylights along the tunnels, which create a lot of beautiful sights.
There are 924 windows throughout this building and 404 doors. Take a tour of the building if it is available (it isn’t always possible to do so).
Some of the most impressive rooms to see here include the Senate Chamber, the House of Representatives Chamber, and the Governor’s Public Reception. There’s something very special about the Rotunda and its beautiful inlaid floor. The public corridors are stable and beautiful as well.
Other spaces to explore include the Treasurer’s Business Office, which has a metal gate-like structure, and the South Foyer. The architecture here is also quite impressive.
And if you love to learn, make it a point to visit the Legislative Reference Library. This is a working library, but it is also an impressive space for those who want to see historical documents on display or learn about the area’s incredible history from a legal perspective.
The Secretary of State’s Office, if available, is also beautiful with its wood-paneled walls.
Getting There
The Texas Capitol is located on Congress Avenue, right at the start of the street. The architecture is sure to give away this stunning location.
Local Tips
- Because this is a working building, I recommend visiting on the weekend if you are hoping to take your time to see the details of the space.
- If you want to watch Congress and take in the political nature of the building, then you’ll want to visit while Congress is in session.
- Be sure to find out what type of exhibit is happening here when you visit. The Medal of Honor exhibit was going on when I visited, and it was truly interesting.
- Check out the Agricultural Museum, which is located at the Texas Capitol. It was established in the west wing and is super cool. There are lots of items on display here from the early 1900s.
