7 Historical Facts About the Utah State Capitol…

Sitting on top of the hill overlooking Salt Lake City is the remarkable Utah State Capitol building, home to the chambers and offices of the state government. When you visit the Utah State Capitol, you are greeted by history, fascinating artwork and stunning architecture. Designed by architect Richard K.A Kletting, it’s a neoclassical building featuring distinguished Corinthian style columns, built between 1912 and 1916. Here are some interesting facts about the Utah State Capitol.

1 – The Utah State Capitol is Constructed from Granite Mined from Nearby Little Cottonwood Canyon.

2 – The Capitol sets the example when it comes to reduce the use of electricity. The unique way the building was design features abundant use of skylights, allowing natural light to illuminate its prestigious hallways and rooms.

3 – The Utah State Capitol is Made with a Mix of Marble.

4 – Don’t Miss the Niche Statues Inside the Capitol
The four niche statues directly under the Capitol’s dome are dedicated to the timeless beliefs of the people of Utah:

Immigration & Settlement
Land & Community
Science & Technology
Arts & Education

5 – Utah is Known as the Beehive State
As a nod to the hard work and cooperation that takes place in a beehive, Utah adopted the nickname The Beehive State. Utah incorporated a beehive into its state seal, and copper beehive sculptures are prominently displayed on the main staircase outside the Capitol.

6 – Honorable Lions
Sculpted from Italian marble, two pairs of lions guard the east and west entrances of the Utah State Capitol. Each lion represents a different age of life and has an honorable name: Fortitude, Integrity, Honor, and Patience.

7 – Today’s Capitol is actually Utah’s second. The first Capitol Building was in a small town called Fillmore, built there by federal decree, but only one wing of that building was finished before Salt Lake City was made the territorial capitol in 1855. Between then and January 4, 1896, when Utah became a state, the Legislature met at different locations around the city.