The Texas State Capitol is a building in Austin that serves as the seat of state government. It houses offices and meeting spaces for the Texas Legislature and the Governor of Texas.
It was built from 1882 to 1888, with an underground extension completed in 1993.
The Texas State Capitol is 302.64 feet tall, making it taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Its floor space, including the extension, is larger than any other state capitol. The Capitol has a pinkish color because of the red granite used for building it.
The House of Representatives uses the western wing of the building and the Senate uses the eastern wing. Formerly, the Texas Supreme Court also met in the building, but now the court meets in a separate but nearby building on the Capitol grounds.
The Capitol Extension houses lawmakers’ offices, a cafeteria, and hearing rooms, and is located under the northern Capitol grounds.
The grounds of the Capitol feature many statues and monuments. For instance, there are monuments celebrating the defenders of the Alamo, Tejano culture, and African American history. There are also several statues of Confederate generals and soldiers – a fact that has generated considerable controversy in recent years.
The Texas Capitol also houses the Legislative Reference Library, which provides reference and research services to the legislators and their staff.
The Capitol is open to visitors, and free tours are offered by the State Preservation Board.
