Texas Capitol and Visitors Center
by Heather
The Texas Capitol and Visitors Center are worth a visit while you’re in Austin for SAA. The Capitol, built in the Renaissance Revival style, was completed in 1888, and the dome is taller than the national capitol in Washington, D.C. It is the largest state capitol building (360,000 square feet) with approximately 400 rooms and 900 windows.
The Capitol was constructed of “Sunset Red” granite that was quarried in Marble Falls, Texas. Construction was not paid for in cash, but in the exchange of 3,000,000 acres of land in the Texas Panhandle that later became the famed XIT Ranch.
The lush Capitol grounds include, among others, statues to the Heroes of the Alamo, volunteer firemen and Texas Rangers. The Visitors Center is located in the southeast corner of the grounds and has both permanent and rotating exhibits, including Voices from San Jacinto, covering the final battle of the Texas Revolution.
Some links for further reading:
Texas Capitol History- Texas State Preservation Board
Monument Guide and Capitol Grounds- Texas State Preservation Board
Beyond the Dome: Hidden Places and Secret Spaces in the Texas State Capitol (exhibit & video link)
How to get there from the SAA meeting hotel (Hilton; 500 East 4th St):
The distance from the Hilton is close to a mile, but easily navigable on foot or by public transportation, and the process is similar– so if you walk there, but want a ride back, you can take the ‘Dillo. Keep in mind that the ‘Dillo runs from 7am-7pm on weekdays only. The ‘Dillo is 50ยข for a two-hour pass.
Link to ‘Dillo information and pdf map here.
Map of area and distance