Idaho State Capital- Restored

[user 135]

The Idaho State Capital has been closed the past 2 years for a total restoration. It had been hodge-podged over the years and wasn't up to standards. They paid for the restoration partly by raising the tax on cigarettes. They had opening ceremonies on Saturday and the entire place was open to the public. There where lots of cool things to look at including a glass elevator that they found when a wall was torn down. They also added two underground wings for meeting and office space so the original building was not marred from the outside. The pic with the lawn and the skylights show the top of it.

 

[maddogrider]

So did they let the smokers smoke in it? Here in Indiana we got the Lucas Oil Stadium, the man raised taxes on fast food lodging smokeing and drinking but you still cant take your own beer food or smokes to see a Colts game. :mrgreen:

 

[user 135]

Smoking was banned after a office on the backside was burned up 20 years ago. Someone left a burning but in a trash can.

 

[Rat Rod]

They did an excellent job....the building looks really nice.

Is that a small spiral staircase at the top of the rotunda?

 

[user 135]

Steve, That is a set of stairs. It goes all the way to the top but not accessable to the public.

The other interesting note is the columns are not marble but faux finished. There is an Italian family that initially did the finish back when constructed in 1919 and they helped on the restoration too. They are the only ones who do this particular finish.

 

[Rat Rod]

The other interesting note is the columns are not marble but faux finished.

Whoa...looks just like the real thing. :shock:

 

[Gold Street Customs]

Reminds me of Sacramento, except for the foxholes and tanks around Schwarzenegers office :lol:

 

[user 135]

Reminds me of Sacramento, except for the foxholes and tanks around Schwarzenegers office :lol:

We had that for awhile and looks like it might return:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/531/story/1037386.html
Concrete planters, among the last vestiges of post-Sept. 11 anti-terror measures at the Idaho Capitol, are gone from the building's borders, but they could return.

 

[Rat Rod]

I guess they used the same architect when they made these capitol buildings....

Here's the Texas capitol building....

 

[user 135]

Lots of the same details. The architects for the Idaho Capitol were local. One of the grandsons(retired architect) was at the rededication ceremony.

 

[thatismytruck]

Way Cool!!!

I wanna see the the elevator. Any photos?

 

[Rat Rod]

 

[maddogrider]

:shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[thatismytruck]

:lol: :lol: :lol: good one Steve.

 

[user 135]

Way Cool!!!

I wanna see the the elevator. Any photos?

I actually didnt' see it and I guess I was wrong. It is a brass birdcage.
http://www.capitolcommission.idaho.gov/ ... 00709.html

Here is an interesting story about a boy that died back in 1926 while messing around. Interesting that I was talking to my son about sliding down that same banister. :shock:
http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2010/0 ... h_revealed

 

[thatismytruck]

Very cool elevator and great reminiscing from the older judge. Too bad about the newspaperboy.