Texas State Capitol Part II

I took another visit to the Texas State Capitol in downtown Austin for some photos decided that this time I wanted to get photos of the interior as well.  The State Capitol building is positively stunning.  In fact, a poll done in 2007 by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) ranked it ninety-second amongst the top one hundred and fifty architectural projects in the United States.  Another poll done by the AIA a year later ranked it the number one state capitol.  It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and in 1986 it was verified as a National Historic Landmark.  Needless to say, I had a great time photographing it.

The hallway at the East Entrance.

The Grand Staircase.

In the middle of the rotunda, looking straight up at the dome.  I took several progressive shots at this angle because I found it so fascinating.

A little bit closer...

And finally, the Lone Star of Texas.

At the top of the first landing of the Grand Staircase, between the first and second floors.

The entrance to the House of Representatives chamber.

View of the rostrum in the of the House of Representatives.

View of the seating for the individual representatives looking toward the rostrum.

Directly below one of the chandeliers in the House of Representatives.

One of the many ornate details in the Capitol building.  Here is a hinge on the door leading into the House of Representatives.

The Speaker's Committee Room in the House of Representatives chamber.

The State Seal of Texas in the Speaker's Committee Room.

The Senate Chamber.

View of the rostrum in the Senate Chamber.

A larger view of the Senate Chamber.

One of the chandeliers in the Senate Chamber.  If you look closely, you can see the word TEXAS spelled out in lights!

The famous Battle of San Jacinto painting hanging in the Senate Chamber.

The site of the former State Treasury.

The State Treasury Office as it looked circa 1909-1910.

The State Treasury Office today, now serving as the Information and Visitors Office.

Toward the end of this visit at the Capitol, I saw this bird perched on one of fountains outside the South Entrance.

And finally, the original gate to the State Capitol leading out to Congress Avenue.