City: Baton Rouge, LA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (225) 342-7317

Description: An Art Deco masterpiece, the Louisiana State Capitol was completed in 1932 by Governor Huey P. Long at a cost of $5 million, including $1 million worth of art. A small army of craftsmen and artists joined builders to create the building as a symbol of Louisiana. Designed by Weiss, Dreyfous, and Seiferth, the building is the tallest capitol in the United States. Famed sculptor Lorado Taft directed much of the statuary work. Sculpture, murals, and detailed bronze work can be found on both the exterior and interior. Forty-nine granite steps lead the way to the capitol’s entrance. The 13 original colonies are represented by the first 13 steps. The rest of the states follow with the dates of entrance into the union. The Latin motto of the United States, “E Pluribus Unum,” along with the names of the last two states admitted, Alaska, 1958, and Hawaii, 1959, are engraved on the top step. A magnificent historical frieze at the fifth-floor level depicts scenes from the early explorations through World War I. The frieze is repeated high on the wall of Memorial Hall inside the entrance. Centering the hall’s floor is a bronze map of Louisiana with symbols showing the products of each area, circled by a list of 64 parishes. As you tour the building, see how often you can spot the symbol of the state’s bird, the brown pelican. An observation deck on the 27th floor affords a spectacular view of the capital city. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.