Idaho State Capitol, State capitol in Boise, US
The Idaho State Capitol is a Beaux-Arts government building in Boise, built from granite, sandstone and marble. The four floors contain executive offices, two legislative chambers and public spaces beneath a gilded-topped dome.
Construction of the new capitol began in 1905 to designs by John E. Tourtellotte and Charles Hummel, with the central block and dome finished in 1912 and the east and west wings added in 1919–1921. Building the wings required demolishing the old territorial capitol and Central School. The completed building cost just over $2 million. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 1976.
The circular rotunda beneath the inner dome serves as a central meeting point for visitors and displays the seals of all Idaho counties. On the walls of the first floor you can view portraits of past governors.
Guided tours are available on weekdays and show the executive offices, legislative chambers and rotunda. Access is barrier-free through the main entrance and an elevator to all floors.
The bronze eagle atop the dome stands 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall. Inside, the 219 pillars of the original building are not solid marble: they are scagliola, a mix of granite, marble dust, gypsum and glue dyed to imitate marble, made by a family of Italian artisans.
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