Utah State Capitol

On July 24, 1847, the first American settlers arrived where Utah is now. Currently on this day in the state is celebrated "Pioneer Day". In 1849, on behalf of the Mormon pioneers , Brigham Young appealed to the US Congress with a request to accept Deseret (not recognized by anyone) as part of the United States . The request was denied. September 1850 was marked by a compromise between the northern and southern states. According to him, among other things, formed the territory of Utah . At the same time, the Legislature of Utah was created. The temporary venue for the meetings, prior to the construction of the Capitol, was the building of the Salt Lake City Municipality.

In 1850-1851 there were discussions in Legislatura concerning the capital of the territory. As a result, Fillmore City, Millard County (named after President Millard Fillmore ) was chosen. In 1852-1856, what was now called the "Building of the Territory of Utah" (Truman Angell project) was built there. But funding for the US Congress was insufficient, and therefore one southern wing was completed. Only one full session Legislature held there. The next one was also started there, but in December 1856 the capital was moved to Salt Lake City , and the Legislature, respectively, moved there, back to the municipality. Next, the government changed several buildings, including the city hall.

First sentences

Over time, most of the government understood that the buildings in which they sat and sit are very small. In addition, it was necessary and a permanent building. On March 1, 1888, the Salt Lake City Municipality allocated approximately 20 acres (81,000 m2) of land north of the intersection of State Street and North Second Street. At the same time, the Capitol Commission was created, which was to select, among others, the best building plan. In the end, the choice fell on Elijah Myers , who was known for the projects of the Capitol of Michigan , as well as Texas and Colorado . In 1891, the project was submitted, but was immediately rejected by the commission because of the high cost of construction ($ 1,000,000). A search for a new project was delayed until Utah was accepted into the United States . On January 4, 1896, Utah became the 45th US state.

Designing

In the years 1896-1909 they actually forgot about the construction of the Capitol, even the projects did not come. In 1909, Governor William Spree delivered a speech at the Utah Legislature, urging funds and the creation of a new Capitol Commission, arguing that the state of Utah was one of the few few states and territories where there is no Capitol yet. The speech was effective, and by 1911 it was collected, incl. with the help of bonds, $ 1,350,000. By decree of the governor, William Spree, the amount was approved only at $ 1,000,000.

Immediately, the Capitol Commission began active operations. Olmsted Brothers from Massachusetts was responsible for the landscape. There were disputes about the construction site, but still decided to stay on the land provided in 1888.

The commission determined the style of the future Capitol, the number of floors, the area, as well as the costs, which should not exceed $ 2,000,000. On August 30, 1911, the program was approved and distributed to several architectural offices. Of the many applicants, 24 companies were selected, of which the winner was to be determined at the competition. But not everyone liked it, and as a result of the companies it was only 8. By March 13, 1912, the winner was selected, the company Richard KA Kletting and Young & Sons from Salt Lake City . To bring the final touches to his project, Richard Kletting visited several capitols in the eastern United States , incl. Kentucky State Capitol. July 15, 1912 the project was completely completed.

By December 19, 1912, contractors were found in the form of George Morgan and James Stewart & Company. Work began on the improvement of the land, as it was not suitable for construction. By early 1913, steam excavators had dug the necessary part of the land.

In the spring of 1913, they began to build a basement and install steel columns. In fact, the construction site was a small town: small shops for builders, offices were built, a railway was built to transport materials. Granite was brought from the Small Cottonwood Canyon (near Salt Lake City ) and the Alta Mines. On April 4, 1914, a cornerstone ceremony was held, attended by Governor William Spree.

By the end of the summer of 1914 the construction of the basement, the second floor and the outer walls was nearing completion. Active work was carried out on the dome. The Capitol Commission assured the members of the Legislature that they would start the 11th session in the completed building. Only on February 11, 1915, the premises for the House of Representatives and the Senate of Utah were ready, while the premises for the government and the court were still open for a year.

The grand opening took place on October 9, 1916. The cost of costs amounted to 2,739,538.00 $. In 1978, Capitol Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Renovation and Modernization

In the summer of 2004, the Capitol was closed for extensive renovations, which included restoration work and seismic upgrades. The reconstruction plan included the following objectives: to strengthen the foundation so that the Capitol could withstand at least an 7.3 earthquake, and then bring the original architectural details to their original appearance. August 7, 2004 was held "Open Day". Its purpose was to evaluate the public changes. August 8 began the reconstruction of other buildings of the Capitol Hill. In particular, a café built nearby on the eve of the 2002 Winter Olympics was demolished.

Plumbing, heating, wiring was upgraded. A large-scale restoration was carried out: the size of many rooms was returned to the original, as before each of them was cut into smaller ones. The Utah Senate meeting room was expanded. The design of the premises was made the way it was in 1916 . 550 aluminum windows set in the 1960s were replaced with new ones made of artificial mahogany. In some were put bulletproof glass. The original furniture was restored, and instead of the lost, it was made exactly the same.

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