Historical Marker · No. 872
California's Capitol Complex
Sacramento, Sacramento County · California
Erected by The State Department of Parks and Recreation, August 10, 1974, rededicated in cooperation with the State Legislature, January 9, 1982
It took fourteen years and two and a half million dollars, and the architect never saw it finished. Reuben Clark drew the building with M. F. Butler, broke down during the work, and died in the state asylum at Stockton in 1866. The legislature moved into an unfinished capitol in 1869 and construction ran on until 1874. A century later the state emptied the west wing to its shell and rebuilt it, a project of seven years that closed in 1982.
What the plaque says
California's Historic Capitol The historic Capitol was designed by architects M. F. Butler and Reuben Clark. Its style is an adaption of Roman Corinthian architecture. Work began in 1860 and by late 1869 the Capitol was partly occupied. In 1874, construction ended at a cost of $2.45 million. The west wing which once housed all branches of government is now a legislative facility. Its design and construction are tributes to California's pioneer architects, craftsmen and builders. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 872 Plaque originally placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation August 10, 1974, and rededicated in cooperation with the State Legislature, January 9, 1982, to commemorate the close of California's Bicentennial Restoration Project.
Where it stands
38.57700, -121.49490 · Directions
Worth the stop nearby
- Sacramento — 0.7 miThe Gold Rush river port that became the state capital, and jacked itself ten feet into the air to stop drowning.