Utah State Capitol Building.

It has been warm here for the past few days, with today in the mid-nineties. The bad part is that we are back down to one air conditioner again as the front AC blew the motor-starter for the second time in a month. We have ordered more parts but it’s looking like there may be a larger problem causing this; we are trying to decide if we can wait until we are back in Wisconsin to have the unit tested and repaired, or if we will have it done along the way.

Today we decided to drive downtown and visit the State Capitol Building. We were able to find free parking across from the Capitol in a visitor center; we will also be able to park there when we visit Temple Square if  the weather cools a little. Sandy had visited the Capitol Building before and remembered the grounds as very colorful, in 2004 the building underwent a comprehensive reconstruction to preserve the building and protect it from earthquake damage, green lawns now surround the building.

 

The Utah State Capitol Building.

 

The Lions at the east entrance are called Integrity and Fortitude.

 

We walked into the building on the east side of the 1st floor and were surprised by the lack of security at the door and inside; the legislature only meets for 45 days each year so that may explain this openness. We did find the information desk and were immediately offered a tour, which we accepted. Our tour started on the 2nd floor, which could be called the main floor as the Governor’s Office, State Supreme Court and the House and Senate Chambers are on this floor.

The outside of the building is constructed of Utah granite but the inside is gray marble from Georgia; the marble was sawn and displayed in what I would call a book match pattern. Our guide showed us some of this work.

 

The interior is Georgia Marble.

 

An example of the book match pattern in the marble walls.

 

This particular pattern is said to bear the face of Satan.

 

We then visited the rotunda, there are paintings depicting various historic scenes from the settling of the area by the pioneers; the dome of the rotunda is painted in a sky pattern complete with soaring seagulls. WPA people did many of these paintings during the great depression.

 

The rotunda.

 

Some of the artwork.

 

Brigham Young  choosing the location for the pioneer settlement.

 

The pioneer’s attempting to save their crop from locust were aided by seagulls.

 

 

There are also paintings in the east and west atriums depicting early pioneer life:

 

The east mural is titled Reclaiming the Dessert by Irrigation.

 

 

The west mural is The Arrival of the Pioneers in the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1847.

 

 

This cut glass window is in the Governor’s Office area. The beehive design used throughout the State is a symbol of industry, Brigham Young knew it would take hard work to settle and live here; they would have to be busy as bees.

 

 

We then made a brief visit to the State Supreme Court Room; the five justices are appointed by the Governor and now conduct most of their hearings in the courthouse located in downtown Salt Lake.

 

 

The House Chamber was quiet and we were able to see the room from the main floor and the gallery. There are four murals in the chamber depicting historic scenes from Utah’s past.

 

The House of Representatives Chamber.

 

Murals adorn the House Chamber.

 

The Senate Chamber was equally ornate with elaborate paint and murals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed our visit to the Capitol and will return to downtown when we visit Temple Square later in the week.  

 

Downtown Salt Lake City from the top of the Capitol Steps.