This page contains information about the 50 State ‘Capitol’ buildings in the United States; not to be confused with information about State ‘Capitals’, which are the cities where these buildings are located.
Most U.S. states (39 of the 50) have facilities named “State Capitol”. Indiana and Ohio use the term “Statehouse” and eight states use “State House”: Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont. Delaware has a “Legislative Hall”. The State of Alabama has a State Capitol, but the Legislature has met in the State House since 1985.
A capitol typically contains the meeting place for its state’s legislature and offices for the state’s governor, though this is not true for every state. Only Arizona does not have its governor’s office in the state capitol. Additionally, in Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Vermont and Virginia, the office there is for ceremonial use only.
Click any Capitol and visit it’s official ‘Visitor Info’ website.
(or jump to the Capitol ‘Wikipedia’ page-links menu here)
Capitol Buildings
Learn about the design and history of the State Capitols.
Click any Capitol and visit it’s Wikipedia page.
State License Plates
Domes of Democracy: The 50 U.S. State Capitol Buildings
Across the American landscape, from the snowy plains of North Dakota to the tropical heart of Honolulu, rise 50 monuments of state power, pride, and civic identity—the U.S. State Capitol buildings.
These structures, also referred to as State Houses, are more than just legislative hubs; they are emblems of regional character, architectural ambition, and historical evolution. With their grand halls, soaring domes, and columns that echo classical antiquity, these buildings serve not only the function of governance but also stand as beacons of cultural heritage and artistic expression.
Every U.S. state has its own capitol building, located in the designated capital city. While they all serve similar governmental functions—hosting legislative chambers and, in many cases, the offices of the governor—their architectural stories diverge widely.
Most feature domes, a design tradition borrowed from the national Capitol in Washington, D.C., symbolizing unity and oversight. As of today, 44 of the 50 capitol buildings have domes of varying size, design, and materials.
These structures have evolved through centuries, shaped by local resources, stylistic movements, and historical needs.
The development of state capitol buildings parallels the growth of the United States itself. The earliest purpose-built state capitol is the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, completed in 1788.
Designed by Thomas Jefferson and modeled after a Roman temple, it helped inspire the neoclassical trend that dominated 19th-century civic architecture. Throughout the 1800s, as new states joined the Union, each constructed capitols reflecting the pride of statehood and the ideals of the time.
Neoclassical and Greek Revival designs, often characterized by porticos, domes, and ornate detailing, became the prevailing trend. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Beaux-Arts and Renaissance Revival styles also emerged, bringing more elaborate decoration and symbolic statuary.
Domes remain the most iconic feature among U.S. capitols. Modeled after the dome of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., they represent not only beauty but authority, visibility, and connection to the republic. Some domes are made of copper, others of cast iron or stone, often painted gold or covered in real gold leaf, as seen in Colorado and Georgia.
The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines features a massive 23-karat gold-leafed dome flanked by four smaller domes—an architectural feat and a symbol of the state’s ambitions at the time of its construction in the 1880s.
Several capitols stand out for their grandeur. The Texas State Capitol in Austin, completed in 1888, is one of the tallest in the nation and made of unique pink granite. Its dome is taller than the U.S. Capitol’s, a deliberate statement of Texas pride.
The Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, completed in 1906, is often hailed as one of the most beautiful, with a dome inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, stunning murals, and over 100 rooms of lavish interior decoration. The Minnesota State Capitol, built in 1905, boasts the second-largest self-supported marble dome in the world, behind only St. Peter’s itself.
Not all domes are massive or ornate—some represent regional modesty and functionality. The North Dakota Capitol, built in the 1930s during the Great Depression, is a 21-story Art Deco tower without a dome. Similarly, the capitol in Hawaii, constructed in 1969, is an open-air modernist structure with a circular courtyard meant to represent the island’s volcanic origins—no dome, but deep symbolism.
Some capitol buildings have gone through multiple versions. Fires, expanding governments, or poor construction prompted replacement. For instance, the Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort has had three versions; the current structure, completed in 1910, is a grand Beaux-Arts building topped with a dome. The Illinois Capitol in Springfield, completed in 1888, is also the state’s sixth statehouse.
A chronological snapshot of state capitol construction shows interesting waves of development:
- 1780s–1830s: Early statehouses in Virginia, Massachusetts, and South Carolina reflect Enlightenment ideals and colonial roots.
- 1840s–1860s: Mid-century states like Wisconsin and Iowa build neoclassical and Greek Revival domed structures as symbols of young democracy.
- 1870s–1910s: An explosion of Beaux-Arts style. Newer states in the West and South construct opulent capitols to assert status.
- 1920s–1940s: Practical designs emerge (e.g., North Dakota, Louisiana), reflecting economic constraints or modernist trends.
- 1950s–1970s: Hawaii and Alaska’s capitols embrace modern architecture, emphasizing local culture over classical tradition.
Each capitol is situated in its state’s capital city, often centrally located to maximize accessibility in the 19th century when travel was slow. Some cities, like Boston or Raleigh, were pre-existing colonial centers; others, like Phoenix or Denver, became capitals as populations shifted westward.
Regardless of size, each capitol reflects the aspirations of its citizens and government at the time of construction.
Here’s a closer look at a few standout capitol buildings:
- Virginia (Richmond): The first U.S. state capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson in 1785. It’s a sober white neoclassical building, modeled on the Roman Maison Carrée.
- Massachusetts (Boston): Completed in 1798 with a distinctive gilded dome, this Federal-style building sits atop Beacon Hill and has seen several expansions.
- Colorado (Denver): Completed in 1901 with a gold-plated dome to commemorate the state’s Gold Rush heritage. Built from Colorado white granite.
- Rhode Island (Providence): Home to the fourth-largest self-supported marble dome in the world. Completed in 1904 with pure white Georgian marble.
- Florida (Tallahassee): A Greek Revival capitol built in the 1840s remains preserved behind the current 22-story modern tower completed in 1977.
- Montana (Helena): A dome-topped granite-and-sandstone structure completed in 1902, adorned with murals that celebrate Western pioneers and statehood.
- California (Sacramento): Completed in 1874, this neoclassical capitol has a majestic dome and large rotunda, heavily influenced by the U.S. Capitol.
Even minimalist designs are impressive. The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, completed in 1931, lacks a dome and resembles an office building. Its design suits the rugged, isolated terrain and the logistical challenges of building in such a location.
The beauty of the state capitol buildings is not just architectural—it’s also symbolic. These buildings house the voices of state governments, where laws are debated and decisions made that impact millions. They are popular tourist destinations, hosting art collections, memorials, and historical displays.
Preservation efforts continue to maintain and restore these monuments. Many are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and some, like the Pennsylvania Capitol, are even designated National Historic Landmarks.
The 50 U.S. state capitol buildings are a diverse and magnificent collection of American civic architecture. From domes of gold to towers of glass, they represent each state’s unique path through history while contributing to a shared national story of democratic government.
Whether viewed as tourist attractions, architectural wonders, or vital centers of legislation, these structures remain powerful symbols of the people they serve.