2013 U.S. Go Congress

The Capitol of Washington was completed in 1928 and is both the Capitol and the Legislative Building. The main Legislative building has a dome that is 278 feet high with equally broad-shouldered edifices that surround the central structure. The state had been in existence as a state for 39 years and a territory for 26 years before that when the Capitol was actually built. It took that long to finally decide that Olympia should actually be the capital city of the state. The Legislative Building has withstood three major earthquakes since it was constructed. The structural design and superior craftsmanship of the original building are credited with saving this building from major damage. The Capitol was renovated in 2004 for a cost of $120 million and as part of the renovation there were 144 solar panels placed atop the fifth-floor roof. It is the largest array of solar panels on a capitol in the United States. The original cost of construction and furnishings for the building was $7,385,768.21. To reconstruct it today using the same grade materials and workmanship would cost OVER $1 billion. The tour of the Capitol can range from 30 minutes to 3 hours and thirty minutes, depending on your time allotment and logistical needs. Call them to set up your tour if you want one of the longer ones. Phone: (360) 902-8880. Capitol Rose Garden - This WPA constructed greenhouse displays collections of tropical, sub-tropical and desert plants, as well as producing bedding plants for the Capitol grounds. Other gardens on the 54 acre Capitol campus designed by the Olmsted Brothers include the state rose garden, a sunken garden, and an English cottage garden, plus 120 varieties of native and non-native trees.