Michigan State Capitol

In 1871, Governor Henry P. Baldwin challenged Michigan's legislature to build a fireproof capitol to house the state's governmental offices, records, and Civil War relics. Modeled after the United States Capitol, it was one of the first post-Civil War capitols to feature a lofty cast iron dome. Heralded as a great success upon its completion, Michigan's capitol became the model for statehouses across the nation. The Board of State Building Commissioners included Ebenezer O. Grosvenor, James Shearer, and Alexander Chapoton, with Allen L. Bours as secretary to the board. Governors associated with the project were Henry P. Baldwin, John J. Bagley, and Charles M. Croswell. Elijah E. Myers was the architect, Nehemiah Osborn and Company was the construction company, Oliver Marble was the construction supervisor, and the dedication took place on January 1, 1879.

Lansing, Michigan · United States