Texas' State Capitol - June 23rd, 2018
Park on Colorado Street and approach the capitol from 12th Street
Spanish American War Monument 1898-1902
West side of the Texas State Capitol, the largest state capitol in the nation
The 7th largest building in the world when it was completed in 1988
The Texas Capitol is 14.64 feet taller the nation's Capitol in D.C
Italian Renaissance Revival building is made w/Texas Sunset Red Granite
The 6th tallest State Capitol Building at 311 feet
A February 1983 fire resulted in the restoration of the Capitol
Four-story underground extension to alleviate overcrowding began in 1990
Gun used in the TX Revolution & Civil War & was returned to TX in 1910
Six flags over Texas in round seals above the south Capitol entrance
The extensive Capitol restoration was completed in 1995
The 16 feet tall original Goddess of Liberty was made of zinc
She was replaced with a lighter/rust proof alumninum replica in 1986
Texas Cowboy Monument erected in 1925
The sculptor's tribute to the "rough and romantic riders of the range"
Texas African American History Memorial erected in 2016
With likenesses of Hendrick Arnold and Samuel McCullogh Jr.
Both Arnold & McCullogh fought for Texas Independence, served as spies for the Republic of Texas & received land for their service to Texas
Former slaves emerge from bondage to the Center State of Freedom
First blacks arrived in TX in 1528 & made up 13% of the population by 1792
Mexico banned bringing slaves into TX by anglo-Americans in 1830
Number of slaves increased from 5,000 to 182,566 between 1836-1860
Slaveholders fleeing the fighting brought 30K more slaves to TX during the war
Blacks w/o jobs could be jailed, their labor forced & used much like slaves
Sweatt v. Painter (1950) paved the way for equal access to education
Blacks continue to overcome obstacles & are an essential part of TX history
Memorial to volunteer firemen who've lost their lives fighting fires
The Confederate Soldiers Memorial w/CSA President Jefferson Davis center
The four other figures represent the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery & Navy
The base includes a listing of Civil War (1861-1865) battles
Jefferson's podium lists the states that seceded from the US
The additions of the Black & Tejano History memorials nearby provide inclusion for groups who want to remove Confederate memorials
The monument was erected in 1903 by surviving comrades
Another fantastic addition to the Capitol grounds is the Tejano Monument
Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca first visited Texas in 1519
Tejanos rallied to support Mexican Independence from Spain in 1921
Tejanos served the Rep of TX in both houses of congress & the Texas Rangers
Many experienced injustice but others prospered w/the new political system
Tejanos fought bravely in WWII & won higher numbers of combat decorations
The nine bronze statues of Spanish/Mexican pioneers was erected in 2012
Two fountains on either side of the center green were added in 1905
The right one has a child pulling a fish out of a bag
Terry's Texas Rangers monument erected in 1907 by Pompeo Coppini
Two plaques on the west and east side of the monument
Also known as the 8th Texas Calvary that served 1861-1865
Looking south toward Congress Avenue with a cannon, Terry's Texas Rangers, another cannon and the Fireman's Memorial
Next is a monument to the heroes of the Alamo
Erected in 1891 w/a Texan holding a muzzle loader rifle atop
Thermopylae had her messenger of defeat, the Alamo had none
God and Texas, Victory or Death
Inscribed inside w/90 names of 189 defenders, many misspelled & omitted
Replica fountain installed in 1996 provides safe drinking water
Original well established in 1889 w/cast iron fountain in place in 1903
Hood's Texas Brigade Monument by Pompeo Coppini was erected in 1910
Inside the Capitol Dome from a prior visit in December 2003
View of Capitol grounds from way back in March 1989