Tower of the Plains

Blogger has decided to behave today and let me upload more pictures of Nebraska's state capitol.

The capitol dome is covered with gold and topped by a statue called "The Sower". Mother told me that the gold was stripped off during the World Wars and used to pay for them. The dome was simply painted with metallic paint thereafter. After the wars, the state regilded the dome. She said that the dome was noticeably less shiny during and immediately after the wars. Babylonian ruler Hammurabi, the man depicted on the corner, promulgated one of the first known law codes. Cuneiform letters are below his bas relief.



This is a view of the second level. The cutout reliefs are of the Magna Carta, and two other scenes, perhaps the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The Magna Carta signing is the center panel.



Dad said that much of the building was paid for by voluntary contributions from the people of Nebraska.

I have not been able to confirm either story.


This is the south elevation of the building. Previous picture is a detail of the building's upper left cornice with the dome beyond. We arrived around 5 p.m., so these are state government workers going home for the evening.

I had forgotten the craftsmanship and design that had gone into the "Tower of the Plains". It was a joy to see such beautiful, meticulous work, especially on a day when the light was so beautifully even!