Best State Capitols

[Juelz]

This one doesnt get much love, but I sure do.

[Jeeper]

All these are too good for me to choose just one.

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by AdrianXSands

architecturally, nebraska's state capital is the best... easily. i hate the fact that AMERICAN state capital buildings have always been done in the european fashion. it's really lame and ugly. that said, boston and madison's are really great how integrated they are.

NEBRASKA??? Next you'll say Florida and Louisiana and North Dakota have amazing Capital buildings!

I'm not the biggest fan of classical architecture in the world either, but give me a break.

For the record, I tend to agree with Cirrus that the Mass State Capital in Boston is simply an amazing piece of architecture. I actually used it in my final term paper for my architectural history course back at University of New Hampshire back in the day!

Aaron (Glowrock)

[texcolo]

Originally Posted by glowrock

NEBRASKA??? Next you'll say Florida and Louisiana and North Dakota have amazing Capital buildings!

I'm not the biggest fan of classical architecture in the world either, but give me a break.

For the record, I tend to agree with Cirrus that the Mass State Capital in Boston is simply an amazing piece of architecture. I actually used it in my final term paper for my architectural history course back at University of New Hampshire back in the day!

Aaron (Glowrock)

Nebraska's capitol rules Glowy!!! 'Nuff said.

As for add-ons to an existing capitol, the best is hands down... Texas. You enter it through the basement of the rotunda and it comprises of two underground levels that basically comprise the entire north half of the capitol square. Natural light enters the main hall through a series of sky lights and a rotunda due north of the north entrance.

[glowrock]

Still no fan of Nebraska's, texcolo. As for Texas, I was actually just touring around it this past Saturday! And yes, it's a very impressive building, and yes, the underground addition is pretty awesome!

Aaron (Glowrock)

[JManc]

[Aleks]

Louisiana's and Nebraska's are some of the best indeed. Texas is the best "traditional" state capitol though. Maybe even the best in the US.

[jtk1519]

My opinion differs from those who prefer a capitol building with that is not set back from the city streets. One of the reasons the Texas capitol is my favorite is because of it's park-like location with rolling lawns and tree covered walkways seemingly oblivious to the fact that it's right in the middle of downtown Austin...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/vernonsphotos/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/spcmiller/

[Flamesrule]

And I thought PA's Capitol was one of the best.............

[Cirrus]

ne of the reasons the Texas capitol is my favorite is because of it's park-like location with rolling lawns and tree covered walkways seemingly oblivious to the fact that it's right in the middle of downtown Austin

Well, but how does that make it better than the approximately 45 other state capitols that are also in park-like locations?

[Double L]

Man, it took three pages and 44 posts for the Texas state capitol to finally get some love, I'm disappointed in you guys.

[urbanactivist]

Originally Posted by Double L

Texas by far, everybody's just too jealous to say

Why the hell would you make a comment like that??? Are you just trying to verify the stereotypes that 99% of the world already thinks about Texas????? I like the capitol, but GEEZ... no need to stand on a hill and proclaim it superior to anything else.

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by urbanactivistTX

Why the hell would you make a comment like that??? Are you just trying to verify the stereotypes that 99% of the world already thinks about Texas????? I like the capitol, but GEEZ... no need to stand on a hill and proclaim it superior to anything else.

Double L's just boasting about Texas the same way as those kitschy t-shirts and coffee mugs that are sold at the Texas Capital gift shop are saying as well!

Texas's Capital is definitely gorgeous. Is it the best? I have no idea. Is it damn nice? Absolutely!

Aaron (Glowrock)

[urbanactivist]

Originally Posted by glowrock

Double L's just boasting about Texas the same way as those kitschy t-shirts and coffee mugs that are sold at the Texas Capital gift shop are saying as well!

Texas's Capital is definitely gorgeous. Is it the best? I have no idea. Is it damn nice? Absolutely!

Aaron (Glowrock)

Agreed, and sorry to bitch at Double L... it's not even about one isolated post. Just a scapegoat for an agglomeration of "Texas booster comments.

'Nuff said.

I really really love Iowa, and we've got to bring back the "best city halls/county courthouses thread. SF city hall looks like it could be a state capitol.

[Strange Meat]

The Texas capitol just wishes it was the Colorado capitol. Haha.

[Double L]

Originally Posted by urbanactivistTX

Why the hell would you make a comment like that??? Are you just trying to verify the stereotypes that 99% of the world already thinks about Texas????? I like the capitol, but GEEZ... no need to stand on a hill and proclaim it superior to anything else.

I'm not that into Texas, if it wasn't for cheap cost I would be willing to live somewhere else. I said that because it is by far the best capitol, the other ones are smaller and look like state capitols. Texas looks like a national capitol. I provided pictures to back it up.

[Double L]

I am honestly blown away that everybody on here isn't backing up Texas. You scroll down the first post and Texas just blows them away. I'm not saying I'm Texas proud, I'm saying that Texas pride is preventing people from wanting to admit how good the Texas capitol looks when compared with others. It is the only one on the level of the national capitol. It is big, its proportions are accurate and the it is ornated like the national capitol.

I'm not here to boast Texas pride, I'm saying that Texas pride is keeping people from admiting what they see and I'm making a joke out of it.

[Double L]

I will say however that every state has it's own style, and a good capitol is about doing what works best for that state. Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia are very good at this in my personal opinion.

Texas was about being big and being built out of limestone. That doesn't work for every state. Of the group however, I think Texas is the only one that could pass as a national capitol.

[mainstreet]

It's also interesting to see the layouts of the capitol buildings, how they're integrated into the city plan. Some cities, like Salem, Springfield, or Columbus just have elongated city blocks, some more awkward than others. Harrisburg has a very irregular block, but that's mainly because the streets change with the river. Boston's is across from a park, Austin's has windy streets going into the park it's in, but I particularly like Montpellier's, because it goes straight into the mountain. And then there's of course Madison's, probably the best. Let me know if I haven't mentioned any good ones.

[texcolo]

Originally Posted by Snodrifter

The Texas capitol just wishes it was the Colorado capitol. Haha.

I've been to both. They're both great... built by the same architect.

I've actually tested concrete on the Colorado capitol building. They were fixing the stairwell to the east entrance. They removed the marble steps, chiseled out the old 'crete and poured new mud in. It was an honor. I was photographed doing a slump test. So, I might appear in a Colo history book some day. My mark on the Centennial State will last a long, long time.

And when no one was looking I wrote 'Texas Rules' in the mud with my finger... I kid I kid.