Monday, August 6, 2018, Bismarck, ND State Capital

North Dakota has a very non-traditional capitol building, to say the least. When I saw pictures online, I was not expecting to be very impressed. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the architecture and styling. There was a definite Art Deco influence throughout the complex.

Their first capitol building was destroyed by fire in 1930. The current building was started during the Great Depression in 1930 and completed in 1934. They made the decision to create a capitol that maximized usable office space while limiting the wide open, impressive but often useless, space of a traditional huge domed rotunda. As a result, it doesn't look like the typical capitol. 

The plans for the interior and exterior design included lavish Art Deco details. Being built in the throes of the depression, the decision was made to simplify the design and nix the more expensive touches leaving a somewhat austere, but sophisticated building.

We learned from our tour guide, Cindy, that North Dakota is one of only four states that chose to build a highrise or skyscraper capitol. The others are Nebraska, Florida and Louisiana (that would be a good trivia question).

The Great Seal of North Dakota included 42 stars - one for each state. But wait, there were only 38 states before North Dakota, so what gives? The Land Act of 1889 opened the possibility for Dakota (to be split into two states), Montana and Washington to enter the union. Knowing there would soon be 42 states they were just planning ahead. In November 1889, President Harrison signed the law that made both North and South Dakota into states but he shuffled the papers, so no one is sure which was signed first - either Dakota could be 39th and the other was 40th.

While the outside might not inspire much awe, I was impressed with the interior style. It made me think of Frank Lloyd Wright

Forty-foot ceilings in the Legislative Hall create an echo making conversation tedious. Alcoves with low ceilings provide a quiet space to converse.

There is one state senator from each of North Dakota's districts. Some are so small that the senator is representing as few as 200 residents. They meet once every two years and limit all of their governing efforts to an 80 day period. 

Each district (47) elects 2 Representatives to the House. These desks serve as a Representative's office (no additional office space is provided).

Cindy showed us the "Monkey Room," a private entrance to the Secretary of State's office, where a now extinct species of California walnut was used for paneling. The bookmatched process produced patterns that many see as monkey faces.

The California walnut was sent to the capitol in error in 1933. The mill could not determine where it should have gone, so they let them keep it at no cost!

There was an observation deck at the top of the building providing a nice view. A local ordinance prohibits any building taller than the capitol building to be constructed in Bismarck. There are many vintage pictures around the observation deck showing the original capitol and construction of the current capitol.

An observation deck on Floor 18 is 240 feet above the lawn, with windows allowing a 360-degree view of the city.

I liked the picture of the lawn below covered in snow when they organized a Guinness world record number of "snow angels" one winter. It must have been just about everyone in town that showed up for the event.

Bismarck population in 2007 was 59,848, so nearly 15 percent of the entire town participated!

The North Dakota Heritage Center was within walking distance of the capitol. It included four major galleries that displayed artifacts from the far distant past to the present. We did not give it the thorough study it deserved because we were tired, hungry and wanted to get back to Sam. Maybe we need a museum break? 

Archelon ("Ruler Turtle") grew as long as 15 feet.