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. The governors associated with the project were Henry P. Baldwin, John J. Bagley, and Charles M. Croswell. The architect was Elijah E. Myers, the construction company was Nehemiah Osborn and Company, the construction supervisor was Oliver Marble, and the dedication took place on January 1, 1879.

Lansing, Michigan · United States