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North Dakota State Capitol

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Laura
Laura
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3 out of 5
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Editor Pick

North Dakota State Capitol

  • January 15, 2007
  • Rated 1 of 5 by travellingdave from Calgary, Alberta
North Dakota State Capitol

The North Dakota State Capitol is the centerpiece of this northern plains town, and often the only reason people visit this admittedly boring area of the country. The boredom doesn’t stop at just the town itself, but also in the architecture of its homely center of government. While the majority of the other 49 states have ornate, thrilling, vastly elegant buildings to house their governments, the state of North Dakota provides itself a concrete, unappealing office tower which will disappoint even the most optimistic traveler.

Since I am a fan of visiting State Capitols, I thought it sinful to see this state, which holds some very neat treasures, reduced to a laughing stock because of their Capitol, which resembles an apartment building in suburban Chicago. No glitz, no ornate columns, no marble staircases, and definitely no gold domes – just concrete, glass windows, and a parking lot.

The greenspace surrounding the Capitol complex is peaceful, though, and it is enjoyable to walk around. Take your photos of the Capitol and then head inside to be greeted by a tour guide, who will be glad to show you some of the more interesting features of the building. Not to judge a book by its cover, everyone should go on these tours to learn more about the state of North Dakota, and of the building itself (which doesn’t have a lot of history, it seemed).

I tried to remain optimistic, but nothing was catching my interest here. Usually, I love Capitols, but this one is a real snoozer, both inside and out. You won’t want to spend more than an hour here, and even that is pushing it. With so much natural beauty outside, I felt imprisoned spending more than was absolutely necessary at this building.

Visit the ND State Capitol online at: www.nd.gov/fac/historyinfo/history.html

From journal As Sweet as a Bismarck

North Dakota State Capitol

  • November 26, 2003
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Laura from Chicago, Illinois
The capitol is one of two in the nation without a dome and one of three that is a skyscraper. It is North Dakota's tallest building at 19 stories. It was built in simple Art Deco style in 1934 because a fire destruyed the first building in 1930. Because it was built during the Great Depression, there is no exterior ornamentation.

In the main entrance hall is a display of oil paintings honoring recipients of the Theodore Roosevelt Roughrider Award. It is given to outstanding North Dakotans who have attained accomplishments that have brought honor to the state. It includes Lawrence Welk, Peggy Lee, Roger Maris and other military heroes and entrepreneurs.

The brass elevator doors are lovely, with relief depictions of Native American life.

The legislature is only in session on odd-numbered years and meets from January until about May. Tours are available.

From journal Bismarck. It's a dry cold

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