 Second Territorial Capitol |
Nebraska has had five buildings house state government since its creation as a territory. During the early territorial years, government
was located in Omaha. The first territorial capitol was a modest two-story brick structure. The second building to house territorial
government in Omaha was a large stone structure of "Federal Style". |
|
When the Capitol was moved to Lancaster, renamed Lincoln, following statehood in 1867, the first building was erected on the
current site. It was designed by Chicago architect, James Morris. The building was 160 feet by 70 feet with a center cupola 80 feet
tall. It was designed to house a library, five executive rooms, and small offices on the first floor, and the Legislative Chambers, the
Supreme Court, the Governor's Office, committee rooms and small offices on the second floor. It was stipulated that native
limestone should be used in construction of the first State Capitol. Local Salt Valley limestone proved to be unsuitable for building
use. Limestone thought to be adequate for construction was located near Beatrice, the increased cost of the stone being justified
aesthetically. The magnesia limestone was transported the fifty miles to the Capitol site at great expense, and added to the cost
overrun of the first building. The first Capitol quickly began to crumble, a result of poor construction and inferior materials. | |
 Second State Capitol |
The first Capitol faced west and was used until 1881 when the first part of the second Capitol was completed. Following the
completion of the west wing of the new Capitol, the Legislature appropriated the money to finish the building. The Senate moved
into its new accommodations in 1882. This new building was much more elaborate than the first. Surrounding a high central dome
were two wings, east and west, which housed the two chambers of the legislature. Primary entry was gained through the north or
south portico. This building was over three times larger than the previous Capitol and would have proved sufficient for many years
had one wing not been built over a sandpit. After 25 years of use, in 1907, the southeast wing began to settle. It was suspected that
the sandstone layer had been broken by the weight of the building. For a few years, attempts were made to repair the building.
These attempts met with failure, as more problems arose. |
|
In 1915, interest arose about constructing a third State Capitol. In January of 1919 the Legislature passed the Mears-Tracewell Bill
to provide for the construction of a new Capitol. Also included in the legislation were provisions for a Capitol Commission to
oversee the construction of the building, and provisions for a funding source. It was the intent of the Capitol Commission to avoid the building mistakes of the past, and make the new Capitol a monument to the people of the state. With this in mind the Commission planned a competition, not to acquire a building design, but to select an architect to design the new Capitol. The competition was first opened to Nebraska architects; the top three finalists then competed with selected architects from across the United States. Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, an architect from New York City, eventually won the competition. His design was a bold departure from past monumental architecture and reflected exactly the wishes of the Capitol Commission for a Capitol, of which, the citizens could be proud. |
|