The Utah State Capitol Building stands majestically above the city on an area known as Arsenal Hill. Built in a Neoclassical revival, Corinthian style, the design was chosen through a public design competition held in 1912. It houses the Utah State Legislature offices and chamber in addition to offices for several other state officials including the Governor. The building is the centerpiece sitting on a plot of 40 acres. This plot also includes several memorials—one for Law Enforcement, one for the Vietnam War, one for the Mormon Battalion—two other office buildings, parking, and a reflecting pool. From its location up on a hill at the northern end of the city, it features great views of the city and the entire greater valley.
This magnificent building is a major tourist attraction in the city. Daily guided or self-guided tours are offered each weekday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The designer made sure the grounds were designed much like a park—to be open to the public, and be a place for gathering with family and friends. The remain welcoming to all. Don’t miss the Spring cherry blossom season where you will witness the stunning display and intoxicating smell of the 433 Yoshino Cherry trees that line the capital walkways around the capital. The trees were given to Utah from Japan as a symbol of friendship after World War II.
Just down a staircase on the East of the Capital Plaza you will find approximately 9 acres of a landscaped nature park—Memory Grove Park—with trails, a river, picnic tables and additional monuments. It is a great place to enjoy a good book, play with your dog and enjoy a good Frisbee game.
The Capitol Building has a basement and four floors. The basement contains earthquake protecting base isolators, offices for maintenance and security, several conference rooms, storage, the Legislative printing office and a fitness center.
The first floor contains offices, a visitors’ center and small gift shop and open areas for displays.
The second floor is often referred to as the main floor. It is the first level of the three-story rotunda and atria. The capitol rotunda rises 165 feet above the floor. There are murals, paintings and a cyclorama within the dome that contains scenes from Utah’s history. On the sides are atria containing large skylights which let the natural light into the open spaces. There are two levels of balconies. The stairways, the art work, murals, and design make this truly a site to behold. The state gold room reception area is also on this floor.
On the third floor is the legislative area with the House and Senate chambers along with the Supreme Court chamber (now only used for ceremonial purposes since the Court was moved to a downtown location in 1998).
The fourth floor is where the viewing galleries are located. Visitors and public persons can watch the legislative proceedings from these locations. There are also some offices and several committee rooms. Most of the floor is open to the floors below.
Next article: Tracy Aviary
This magnificent building is a major tourist attraction in the city. Daily guided or self-guided tours are offered each weekday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The designer made sure the grounds were designed much like a park—to be open to the public, and be a place for gathering with family and friends. The remain welcoming to all. Don’t miss the Spring cherry blossom season where you will witness the stunning display and intoxicating smell of the 433 Yoshino Cherry trees that line the capital walkways around the capital. The trees were given to Utah from Japan as a symbol of friendship after World War II.
Just down a staircase on the East of the Capital Plaza you will find approximately 9 acres of a landscaped nature park—Memory Grove Park—with trails, a river, picnic tables and additional monuments. It is a great place to enjoy a good book, play with your dog and enjoy a good Frisbee game.
The Capitol Building has a basement and four floors. The basement contains earthquake protecting base isolators, offices for maintenance and security, several conference rooms, storage, the Legislative printing office and a fitness center.
The first floor contains offices, a visitors’ center and small gift shop and open areas for displays.
The second floor is often referred to as the main floor. It is the first level of the three-story rotunda and atria. The capitol rotunda rises 165 feet above the floor. There are murals, paintings and a cyclorama within the dome that contains scenes from Utah’s history. On the sides are atria containing large skylights which let the natural light into the open spaces. There are two levels of balconies. The stairways, the art work, murals, and design make this truly a site to behold. The state gold room reception area is also on this floor.
On the third floor is the legislative area with the House and Senate chambers along with the Supreme Court chamber (now only used for ceremonial purposes since the Court was moved to a downtown location in 1998).
The fourth floor is where the viewing galleries are located. Visitors and public persons can watch the legislative proceedings from these locations. There are also some offices and several committee rooms. Most of the floor is open to the floors below.
Next article: Tracy Aviary
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