This
is the capitol that almost wasn’t. Like most state
capitols, its creation was plagued by scandal, intrigue,
and politics. Unlike most, it was almost moved when
the notion of building a new capitol was raised. In
1891 Minnesota’s senate started exploring the idea
of building a new home. Even then, the Twin Cities
rivalry was strong and Minneapolis thought it only
natural that the seat of government be on its shore.
Saint Paul would hear nothing of it and fought hard
for the new building. Then a third and a fourth option
arose: One placing the capitol midway between the
rival cities, and another moving the capitol out to
Kandiyohi County. Those ideas all fell by the wayside
when a Senate committee determined that construction
of a new building shouldn’t inconvenience all of the
people who had already come to depend on the location
of the current building. In 1893, a site was selected
on Wabasha Street just three blocks north of the then-current
capitol, enabling an easy transition, and quick access
to both transit lines and University Avenue leading
to Minneapolis. The capitol building you see today
is actually the third seat of government in Saint
Paul. Its shape is the stereotypical drum-and-dome
we’ve grown used to, but on a much more sensible scale
than other capitols which enlarge the dome to ridiculous
proportions in some phallic display of government
prowess. While the Saint Paul dome is, indeed, one
of the largest in North America its placement and
construction make comfortable with its surroundings.
One way this is achieved is through the placement
of a gilded quadriga in front of the drum. Like a
brooch on a dress, its sparkle draws the eye away
from less attractive features and focuses it on the
art. The four golden horses pulling a chariot was
created by Daniel Chester French and Edward C. Potter.
- 1851
- First Minnesota Capitol is built.
- 1881
- Capitol burns to the ground.
- 1882
- 1883 - Second Minnesota Capitol is built. Designed
by LeRoy S. Buffington and modeled after the capitol
of New York in Albany.
- 1893
- 1904 - Third Minnesota Capitol is built.
