Oklahoma State Capitol

The state capitol building is a very impressive part of the skyline in Oklahoma City even from a distance. On Saturday we perused our tourist info and decided to drive down there and walk around, after reading this description:

Located on more than 100 acres in NE Oklahoma City, the only capitol in the U.S. surrounded by working oil wells. The Oklahoma State Capitol features Greco-Roman architecture.  The structure is comprised of 650 rooms and 11 acres of floor space with murals, restored stained glass, tribal flag plaza and changing art exhibits. The current site was chosen in 1915 and construction was completed in 1917. Construction of a dome was completed in 2002, a feature that was included with the original design plans of the building but never completed.

The parking lot was deserted, all the reserved spaces for senators empty. We looked around at the oil well and beautiful grounds. We saw the barricades for construction and just assumed the building was closed for the weekend. Then another group of folks walked by and we overheard them saying to get inside you have to go to the west entrance. So we followed them around the building and sure enough, walked right in. The two security guards greeted us, we went through the metal detector and then were on our own to wander through the massive building, 5 stories, art gallery, rotunda, the halls were eerily quiet. 

At the end of our tour we found the gift shop where we once again met a very nice Oklahoman with lots of information and advice on what to see and do. She gave us a belated 'self guided capitol tour' brochure.

We were amazed at all the marble, every floor and staircase was marble. Most of it came from Alabama. The outside of the building is limestone and granite. A very impressive building!

~more pictures HERE