Visit to the Capital

Virginia is a California native and I did most of my growing up SoCal, but neither of us had ever visited the Capital Building until today.

Her Crime Analyst association scheduled the tour and a lunch, and we chose to pay the extra so I could go along.

It's been rainy all day, and we had to park and walk several blocks from the Capital because all the closer parking garages were full, but it turned out to be well worth the effort. Our guide was both funny and informative; the history was fascinating; the food at lunch was delicious; and we got to do it together. Near perfect trip.

Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure.

Looking up into the dome in the rotunda from the first floor. When it was built back in the late 1800s, it was the tallest building in Sacramento... but not for a long time at this point.

Larkin Goldsmith Mead’s Columbus' Last Appeal to Queen Isabella was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Legrand Lockwood by pioneer banker Darius Ogden Mills for $30,000, who then presented it the state in 1883. Slightly over life size, the sculpture weighs approximately nine tons including the base and is located in the California State Capitol Museum. There's not a direct connection between Columbus and California, but the story goes that Mills gave the statue either because his wife didn't want it in her parlor and/or he thought the adventurous spirit of Columbus lived on in the state of California.

Rotunda on the 2nd floor. The tile is representative of the basket designs of California native Americans.

A stained glass version of the Great Seal of California: The seal design includes an image of the Roman goddess Minerva (Greek goddess Athena), a Grizzly Bear, and clusters of grapes representing wildlife and agricultural wealth. A gold miner and sailing ships in the background represent industry and commerce.
According to ancient Roman myth, the goddess Minerva was born fully-grown. Just as Minerva was born fully-grown, so California became a state without first having been a territory. Minerva's image on the Great Seal symbolizes California's direct rise to statehood. Pretty cool!

More to come...