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{{Short description|Nevada State Capitol building of the U.S. state of Nevada in Carson City}} {{Short description|State capitol building of the U.S. state of Nevada}}
{{Infobox NRHP {{Infobox NRHP
| name = ] | name = Nevada State Capitol
| nrhp_type = | nrhp_type =
| image = Nevada State Capitol.JPG | image = Nevada State Capitol.JPG
| caption = West Front façade,<br>]<br>(built 1869-1871),<br>]<br>(]), ] | caption = Front façade
| location = 101 North Carson Street<br>Capitol Plaza<br>]<br>(]) | location = 101 North Carson Street<br>]
| coordinates = {{coord|39|9|51|N|119|45|59|W|display=inline,title}} | coordinates = {{coord|39|9|51|N|119|45|59|W|display=inline,title}}
| area = | area =
| built = 1869-1871 | built = 1871
| architect = ]<br>(1818-1885) | architect = ]
| architecture = ]<br>]<br>styles of ] | architecture = ] ]
| added = June 10, 1975 | added = June 10, 1975
| refnum = 75002126 <ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2006a}}</ref> | refnum = 75002126 <ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2006a}}</ref>
Line 20: Line 20:
| designated_other1_color = #ffc94b | designated_other1_color = #ffc94b
}} }}
The ''']''' is the capitol building of the ] of ] located in the ] of ] at 101 North Carson Street, on Capitol Plaza. Carson City was also the longtime ] town of surrounding ], until 1969. With the merger of the city / county into the current ]. The '''Nevada State Capitol''' is the capitol building of the ] of ] located in the state capital of ] at 101 North Carson Street. The building was constructed in the ] ] style between 1869 and 1871. It is listed in the ]. It is also ] number 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nvshpo.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=109&Itemid=9|title=Nevada's Capitol|work=Carson City Historical Markers|publisher=Nevada State Historic Preservation Office|access-date=23 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318102830/http://nvshpo.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=109&Itemid=9|archive-date=18 March 2012}}</ref>

The building was constructed in the ] / ] style ] between 1869 and 1871. It is listed in the ] (maintained by the ] of the ]). It is also on the lists of ] number 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nvshpo.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=109&Itemid=9|title=Nevada's Capitol|work=Carson City Historical Markers|publisher=Nevada State Historic Preservation Office|access-date=23 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318102830/http://nvshpo.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=109&Itemid=9|archive-date=18 March 2012}}</ref>


==Construction== ==Construction==
⚫ ], the founder of Carson City, reserved an area equivalent to four ]s (10 acres or 4.04 ha) at the center of the town for the future state capitol. When the Capitol building was constructed, it was naturally located on "the plaza", which had, some ten or eleven years earlier, been designated for it, and given for that purpose. ] wrote in his book '']'' that the capitol site was in 1861 "a large, unfenced, level vacancy, with a ] in it, and very useful as a place for public auctions, horse trades, ]s, and likewise for teamsters to camp in."
] (1815-1873), the founder of ] then of the federal ] (1850-1896), then separated into the new federal ] (1861-1864), until admitted into the federal ] in 1864 as the 36th ].


⚫ The "act to provide for the erection of a State Capitol" was passed by the ] and signed into law by Governor ] during 1869. The Board of Capitol Commissioners received bids of $84,000 to $160,000 for construction and they chose the lowest bid, submitted by Peter Cavanaugh and Son of Carson City. The 1869 act authorized $100,000 for construction, with money to come from a special tax levy, plus the proceeds from the sale of some public land. To reduce costs, the building ] was obtained free of charge from the Nevada State Prison ], just outside Carson City. In spite of this, the construction costs increased to some $170,000, exceeding even the high bid.
⚫ Land was reserved with an area equivalent to four ]s (10 acres or 4.04 ha) at the center of the town when it was laid out and platted, for the future ]. When the first Capitol building was constructed, it was naturally located on "the plaza", which had, some ten or eleven years earlier, been designated for it, and given as public property for that purpose. ], later famed author, humorist and lecturer ] (1835-1910),wrote in his book of army memoirs '']'' (written 1870-1871, and published 1872), that the capitol site was in 1861 "a large, unfenced, level vacancy, with a ] in it, and very useful as a place for public auctions, horse trades, ]s, and likewise for teamsters to camp in."


⚫ The ] was laid on June 9, 1870. A brass box that served as a ] was deposited in the stone. The cornerstone was a solid block of sandstone, laid on top of blocks which contained the capsule. The capsule was inspected and returned to the cornerstone location (the northeast corner of the original building) during reconstruction in the 1979–81 period.
⚫ The "act to provide for the erection of a State Capitol" was passed by the ] (]), and signed into law in 1869 by the first elected ] of the new 36th ], ] (1825-1900, served 1864-1871), during his second term. Architect ] (1818-1885), was chosen to design the prominent public building of the now five-years old state. The appointed Board of Capitol Commissioners received bids of $84,000 to $160,000 dollars for the State Capitol construction project and they chose the lowest bid, submitted by the firm of Peter Cavanaugh and Son of Carson City. The 1869 legislative act authorized $100,000 dollars for construction, with money to come from a special tax levy, plus the proceeds from the sale of some public lands. To reduce costs, the building's distinctive gray ] blocks were obtained free of charge from the ]'s stone ], worked by ], just outside Carson City. In spite of this, the construction costs still increased to some $170,000 dollars, exceeding even the highest design and construction bid, let alone leave any additional funds designated for interior furnishings / decoration.


⚫ The fourth session of the state legislature met in the still-incomplete building at the beginning of 1871. Construction was completed by May 1, 1871. Several of the architect's original drawings are preserved in the state archives.
⚫ The Capitol ] was laid on June 9, 1870. A brass box that served as a ] was deposited in the stone. The cornerstone was a solid block of sandstone, laid on top of blocks which contained the capsule. The capsule was inspected and returned to the cornerstone location (the northeast corner of the original building) during reconstruction / renovation project 110 years later in the 1979–1981 period.

⚫ The fourth session of the Nevada ] met in the incomplete building, still under construction two years later at the beginning of 1871. Construction was finally completed by May 1, 1871. Several of the architect's original blueprints, drawings / diagrams and sketches along with other miscellaneous documents and reports are preserved in the state ] of the ].


==Architecture== ==Architecture==
] in ], built 1869-1871, designed by architect ] (1818-1885), pictured in 1875]] ]
]
], built 1869-1871, designed by architect ] (1818-1885), showing compatible style of architecture (similar to previous work of architect ]) on earlier State Capitol of 1869-71, of 35 years earlier. Octagonal-shaped rear / east side annex / wing with smaller / lower matching rooftop dome / cupola, built 1906 for the ], in ],]]
⚫ The original building was ], with a central rectangle {{convert|76|ft|m}} wide by {{convert|85|ft|m}} deep (23 x 25.8&nbsp;m). It had two wings, each {{convert|35|ft|m}} wide by {{convert|52|ft|m}} deep (10.6 x 15.8&nbsp;m). The windows' glass panes are made of 26-ounce (737&nbsp;g) French ], as are those above the doors. Floors and ] are of ]n ], shipped to San Francisco in 20-ton (18,144&nbsp;kg) blocks and there cut and polished for installation.


⚫ The first floor contained a major office at each corner connected by central halls, while the wings of the second floor were filled by the two legislative chambers—the ] and the ]. The octagonal dome topped with a ] admitted light to the second story. During 1906, an octagonal Annex was added to the rear (east) of the capitol to house the State Library.
⚫ The original governmental building was ] in shape, with a central rectangle / rotunda hall {{convert|76|ft|m}} wide by {{convert|85|ft|m}} deep (23 x 25.8&nbsp;m). It had two wings, each {{convert|35|ft|m}} wide by {{convert|52|ft|m}} deep (10.6 x 15.8&nbsp;m), with steps and porch / porticoes over the three entrance doors, one on each wing and center section. The windows' glass panes are made of 26-ounce (737&nbsp;g) ] ], as are those above the doors. Floors and ] are of ]n ], shipped south by cargo steamship to ] in 20-ton (18,144&nbsp;kg) blocks and there cut and polished for installation in Carson City.


⚫ By the early 20th century, the legislature had outgrown the capitol, and prominent Nevada architect ] was contracted to design northern and southern legislative wing-annexes, completed in time for the 1915 session. These compatible wings used stone from the same quarry as the original portion of the capitol, and provided more office space and expanded legislative chambers.
⚫ The first floor contained a major office at each corner connected by central halls, while the wings of the second floor were filled by the two legislative chambers—the lower ] and the upper ]. The octagonal dome topped with a ] admitted light to the second story and rotunda below. During 1906, an octagonal-shaped annex wing was added to the rear (east) side of the capitol with a smaller / lower matching rooftop dome / cupola of similar architectural style and stone-block construction to the earlier Gosling-designed 1869-71 Capitol, to house the additional ]. It was established 1863 and expanded in the 161 years since to include state ] and various ], besides providing resources and research, assisting legislators with their law-making duties and other executive departments officials.

⚫ By the early ], the legislature had outgrown the capitol, and prominent Nevada architect ] (1882-1969), was contracted to design northern and southern legislative wings as annexes, These were completed in time for the 1915 legislative sessions during the ] era (1914/1917-1918),. These compatible wings used similar gray stone from the same quarry as the original 1869-1871 portion of the capitol, built only 44 years earlier, and provided more office space and expanded sizes of the legislative chambers.


==Artwork and exhibits== ==Artwork and exhibits==


] ]
A painted decorative ] in the hallways of the first floor celebrates industry in Nevada, listing agricultural products and minerals found in Nevada mines. An old antique ] door in the office of the current ] is painted with a beautiful scenic scene of prominent landmark ] and ]. Portraits / paintings of all of the earlier 30 of 31 ] hang throughout the building. A painted ] in hallways of the first floor celebrates industry in Nevada, listing agricultural products and minerals found in Nevada mines. A ] door in the office of the ] is painted with a scene of ]. Portraits of all ] hang throughout the building.


Near the office of the Nevada Commission for Women, a historical exhibit display named ''Silver State Sisters'' documents about 100 individuals (mostly women) who have contributed to ] {{mdash}} such as ], ], and ]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2018/sep/14/women-transforming-nevada-exhibit-christened-at-ca/ |newspaper=Nevada Appeal |title=Women Transforming Nevada exhibit christened at Capitol in Carson City |date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> {{mdash}} and groups of women, such as the first ] performances of ]s at the ]. Near the office of the Nevada Commission for Women, a display named ''Silver State Sisters'' documents about 100 individuals (mostly women) who have contributed to Nevada history {{mdash}} such as ], ], and ]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2018/sep/14/women-transforming-nevada-exhibit-christened-at-ca/ |newspaper=Nevada Appeal |title=Women Transforming Nevada exhibit christened at Capitol in Carson City |date=September 14, 2018}}</ref> {{mdash}} and groups of women, such as the first ] ]s at the ].


Artifacts of ] on display include ] crafts and a section of the rope used in April 1868 of the state execution to hang John Millian, the man convicted of the unfortunate sensational murder in January 1867 of legendary ] ] (c.1832-1867), of old ], who supposedly was the madame and ran a house of ill-repute in the ] booming silver mining town. She was the focus of a TV episode visiting the Cartwrights family on the huge ] of Nevada on the famous old ] era ] television series program '']'' of 1959-1973. Artifacts of Nevada history on display include ] crafts and a section of the rope used to hang the man convicted of the murder of ] ].


==Usage== ==Usage==
For more than 50 years (1871-1937), all three branches (legislative, executive and judicial) of the Nevada state government were housed in the Capitol in Carson City. The ] which held its sessions here until 1937, when it was the first governmental branch to leave, when it relocated into an adjacent courts building of its own. The two houses of the ] met here for a century until 1971, when they relocated to its new Nevada Legislative Building just south of the old Capitol. Every ] of the 31 that have served in the 160 years since in the ], except for the two territorial - first temporary / provisional ] (1822-1869, served 1859-1861), and followed by presidential appointee chief executive ] (1815-1876, served 1861-1864); and then the first elected state chief executive, ] (1825-1900, served 1864-1871), who ended his term just as the two-years construction project of the Capitol was completed and being dedicated in 1871), has had his offices and staff in the historic Nevada Capitol in Carson City. For more than 50 years, all three parts of the state government were housed in the Capitol. The ] met here until 1937, when it relocated into an adjacent building, and the ] met here until 1971, when it relocated to its new Legislative Building just south of the Capitol. Every Nevada governor except the first has had his office in the capitol. Nowadays, the Capitol continues to serve the Governor, and contains historical exhibits on the second floor.

Nowadays, the Nevada Capitol continues to serve the Governor, and also contains historical exhibits of the ] on the second floor. Former chambers of the Supreme Court and two former old chambers (Assembly and the Senate) of the bicameral ] have been restored to their original ] appearance and are on view for visits and tours.


== Gallery == == Gallery ==
<gallery> <gallery>
Image:NV Capitol old Assembly.jpg|Interior views of ], the old chamber formerly used 1871-1914, of ], lower house of the ], Image:NV Capitol old Assembly.jpg|The old ] chamber
Image:NevadaLegislatureBuilding.jpg|Legislative Building
Image:NevadaLegislatureBuilding.jpg|adjacent Nevada Legislative Building of the ], built 1970-1971, with the current chambers for sessions of the ] and ], plus cloak rooms and additional offices and committee / conference rooms
Image:NevadaStateCapitolInterior1.jpg|Interior views at ], showing installed marble floor and lower wall ] Image:NevadaStateCapitolInterior1.jpg|Interior, showing marble floor and ]
Image:NV Capitol Supreme Court chairs.jpg|], Chairs in the old ] chamber, used 1871-1937 Image:NV Capitol Supreme Court chairs.jpg|Chairs in the old ] chamber
Image:NV Capitol vault inner doors.jpg|Interior view of ], old antique ] doors painted with a decorative scene of prominent landscape landmark ] at ], still situated in the old Capitol office of the ]. Image:NV Capitol vault inner doors.jpg|Vault doors with a scene of ] at ]
Image:ElkHornChair.jpg|] ] Image:ElkHornChair.jpg|] ]
Image:NevadaStateCapitolCourtRoom.jpg|Interior views of ], Original ] chamber, used 1871-1937 Image:NevadaStateCapitolCourtRoom.jpg|Original ] room
Image:NV Capitol rope.jpg|Historical exhibits inside ], Rope used in April 24, 1868 state execution to hang infamous John Millain, convicted of killing famed madame of house of ill-repute ] (c.1832-1867), unfortunately murdered January 19/20, 1867, of old ] ] Image:NV Capitol rope.jpg|Rope used to hang John Millain, convicted of killing ]
Image:NV Capitol duck decoy.jpg|Historical exhibits in ], replica of a carved ] decoy of ancient ] ] culture, dating from about 250 B.C., (created by Mike Williams, from ] at ], (] of ]), ]) Image:NV Capitol duck decoy.jpg|Replica of a ] decoy dating from 250 B.C., created by Mike Williams, ]
</gallery> </gallery>


Latest revision as of 18:31, 15 November 2024

State capitol building of the U.S. state of Nevada United States historic place
Nevada State Capitol
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Nevada Historical Marker No. 25
Front façade
Location101 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada
Coordinates39°9′51″N 119°45′59″W / 39.16417°N 119.76639°W / 39.16417; -119.76639
Built1871
ArchitectJoseph Gosling
Architectural styleNeoclassical Italianate
NRHP reference No.75002126
 No.25
Added to NRHPJune 10, 1975

The Nevada State Capitol is the capitol building of the U.S. state of Nevada located in the state capital of Carson City at 101 North Carson Street. The building was constructed in the Neoclassical Italianate style between 1869 and 1871. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is also Nevada Historical Marker number 25.

Construction

Abraham Curry, the founder of Carson City, reserved an area equivalent to four city blocks (10 acres or 4.04 ha) at the center of the town for the future state capitol. When the Capitol building was constructed, it was naturally located on "the plaza", which had, some ten or eleven years earlier, been designated for it, and given for that purpose. Mark Twain wrote in his book Roughing It that the capitol site was in 1861 "a large, unfenced, level vacancy, with a liberty pole in it, and very useful as a place for public auctions, horse trades, mass meetings, and likewise for teamsters to camp in."

The "act to provide for the erection of a State Capitol" was passed by the Nevada Legislature and signed into law by Governor Henry G. Blasdel during 1869. The Board of Capitol Commissioners received bids of $84,000 to $160,000 for construction and they chose the lowest bid, submitted by Peter Cavanaugh and Son of Carson City. The 1869 act authorized $100,000 for construction, with money to come from a special tax levy, plus the proceeds from the sale of some public land. To reduce costs, the building sandstone was obtained free of charge from the Nevada State Prison quarry, just outside Carson City. In spite of this, the construction costs increased to some $170,000, exceeding even the high bid.

The cornerstone was laid on June 9, 1870. A brass box that served as a time capsule was deposited in the stone. The cornerstone was a solid block of sandstone, laid on top of blocks which contained the capsule. The capsule was inspected and returned to the cornerstone location (the northeast corner of the original building) during reconstruction in the 1979–81 period.

The fourth session of the state legislature met in the still-incomplete building at the beginning of 1871. Construction was completed by May 1, 1871. Several of the architect's original drawings are preserved in the state archives.

Architecture

Nevada State Capitol in 1875
Octagonal annex

The original building was cruciform, with a central rectangle 76 feet (23 m) wide by 85 feet (26 m) deep (23 x 25.8 m). It had two wings, each 35 feet (11 m) wide by 52 feet (16 m) deep (10.6 x 15.8 m). The windows' glass panes are made of 26-ounce (737 g) French crystal, as are those above the doors. Floors and wainscotting are of Alaskan marble, shipped to San Francisco in 20-ton (18,144 kg) blocks and there cut and polished for installation.

The first floor contained a major office at each corner connected by central halls, while the wings of the second floor were filled by the two legislative chambers—the Assembly and the Senate. The octagonal dome topped with a cupola admitted light to the second story. During 1906, an octagonal Annex was added to the rear (east) of the capitol to house the State Library.

By the early 20th century, the legislature had outgrown the capitol, and prominent Nevada architect Frederic DeLongchamps was contracted to design northern and southern legislative wing-annexes, completed in time for the 1915 session. These compatible wings used stone from the same quarry as the original portion of the capitol, and provided more office space and expanded legislative chambers.

Artwork and exhibits

Frieze showing mineral names and mining equipment

A painted frieze in hallways of the first floor celebrates industry in Nevada, listing agricultural products and minerals found in Nevada mines. A vault door in the office of the Secretary of State of Nevada is painted with a scene of Lake Tahoe. Portraits of all governors of Nevada hang throughout the building.

Near the office of the Nevada Commission for Women, a display named Silver State Sisters documents about 100 individuals (mostly women) who have contributed to Nevada history — such as Barbara Vucanovich, Bernice Mathews, and Wild Horse Annie — and groups of women, such as the first non-segregated showgirls at the Moulin Rouge Hotel.

Artifacts of Nevada history on display include Paiute crafts and a section of the rope used to hang the man convicted of the murder of folk heroine Julia Bulette.

Usage

For more than 50 years, all three parts of the state government were housed in the Capitol. The Supreme Court met here until 1937, when it relocated into an adjacent building, and the Nevada Legislature met here until 1971, when it relocated to its new Legislative Building just south of the Capitol. Every Nevada governor except the first has had his office in the capitol. Nowadays, the Capitol continues to serve the Governor, and contains historical exhibits on the second floor.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 15, 2006.
  2. "Nevada's Capitol". Carson City Historical Markers. Nevada State Historic Preservation Office. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  3. "Women Transforming Nevada exhibit christened at Capitol in Carson City". Nevada Appeal. September 14, 2018.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Park Service.

External links

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