For
a small state, West Virginia has quite a nice capitol
complex. Unfortunately, like many states, it is an
oasis surrounded by urban decay. This is actually
the sixth capitol building in West Virginia's history.
Two burned down. One of those was has spectators running
for their lives because the state police stored ammunition
and machine guns on the top floor, which went off
in the fire. It took seven hundred train cars full
of limestone to construct the outside walls of the
current building. The interior is made of Vermont
and Tennessee marble.
The chandelier is made from Czechoslovakian crystal,
and weighs two tons. It is 179-feet off the floor,
and takes eight hours to lower and raise it, which
happens every four years when it is cleaned.
Two people were arrested for stealing a fire truck
when the capitol burned down for the second time.