Tag Archives: Arkansas State Capitol

June 18 Architeaser: Arkansas Education Building

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fleurdelis

Today’s Architeaser is one of a series of decorative panels above the doors of the old Department of Education Building to the west of the Arkansas State Capitol.  Across the front facade of this rather utiltarian WPA era structure,  there are several of these panels each containng 8 fleur de lis.

While one could suppose that they are a tribute to the French heritage of both Arkansas and Little Rock, there do not appear to be records to confirm this.

The building still contains offices of the Arkansas Department of Education. But today, the offices have also expanded to a nearby building. These two adjoining buildings are now linked and the entire complex is known as the Arch Ford Education Building.

Happy 177 Arkansas

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One hundred and seventy-seven years ago today, Arkansas was admitted to the Union.  Happy Birthday Arkansas!

Arkansas birthday

Happy Flag Day

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Today is Flag Day.  Here are three photos of the Stars and Stripes taken in Little Rock over the past year.

Flag outside of Tipton & Hurst main store in Heights

Flag outside of Tipton & Hurst main store in Heights

The red, white and blue stand out against the night sky and limestone of the Arkansas State Capitol.

The red, white and blue stand out against the night sky and limestone of the Arkansas State Capitol.

The stars and stripes unfurled from the balcony of the Capital Hotel.

The stars and stripes unfurled from the balcony of the Capital Hotel.

Flag Day 4

American flags mark the graves of veterans in Mt. Holly Cemetery

June 13 Architeaser: Capitol Hill Apartments

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IMG_5779Today’s Architeaser features the unique lights on the west side of the Capitol Hill building.

In the 1960s the state purchased a building known as “The Rackensack Apartments,” north of the Capitol building, backing up to 3rd Street. Built in the 1920s, the structure, now called Capitol Hill, continues to provide legislators’ housing and overflow office space.  The lobby is a popular place for receptions and meals for legislators.

 

 

History of State Capitol is topic of noon talk today

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irreverant_overview

The State of Arkansas turns 177 later this week.  A good way to mark this is to contemplate the building which has been the seat of government for over 100 of those years.

ad conclusio, per aspera; or, Two Architects, Six Governors, Dozens of Contractors, One Jailed Senator, Fifteen Years, and 2.23 Million Dollars Lead to What? is the name of a noontime conversation being hosted by the Central Arkansas Library System today, June 12.

The program, which will take place in the Arkansas State Capitol building in Room 272, will feature State Capitol historian David Ware.

It is being billed as “an irreverent overview of how the Capitol project survived.”  Construction of the Arkansas Capitol began in 1899 and stalled early due to problems with financing and failed deadlines.

With the support and vision from the project’s most emphatic backer, then-Governor George Donaghey, members of the Arkansas Legislature met for the first time in the chambers of the still-unfinished Capitol on January 9, 1911. Donaghey declared the building was “done enough” to accommodate the solons and state officers.

Bottled water and cookies will be provided; guests are invited to bring their own lunch.

June 11 Architeaser: Arkansas State Capitol

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IMG_5768The dome of the Arkansas State Capitol Building is generally thought to be smooth – but as this photo shows, there are quite a few flourishes and architectural touches on the dome.   Built over 16 years (from 1899 to 1915) it had two architects of record (George R. Mann and Cass Gilbert) and was both championed and reviled by various Arkansas governors during the design and construction.

The cornerstone was laid on November 27, 1900. Since this was to be a “pay as you go” project, that slowed progress considerably.  When completed, it measured 440 feet along its north-south axis, and just over 195 feet from east to west.  From the ground to the top of the dome is 213 feet.  The building has nearly 287,000 square feet of offices.

The majority of the exterior of the Capitol is made of Batesville limestone.  The curved portions of the dome, however, are made of softer Indiana limestone.  Total construction cost was $2.2 million with today’s value of the building being $320 million.  The cupola is covered in 24 karat gold leaf.

Tomorrow there will be a lecture on the construction of the building.  More information on this will be in another entry.

 

Architeaser – June 12

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was a cornice on the eastern exterior of the Arkansas State Capitol building. The building was completed in 1915 though it was first occupied in 1911. It was based on a design by architect George Mann though other architects and contractors were involved in modifications during the 16 year construction period.  The exterior is largely limestone quarried in Batesville.

Here is today’s Architeaser, which shows the wonders that glass can do in reflecting and refracting images when used in architecture.