State Capitol

• by George Bailey • Published: May 31, 2007

The first state capitol building in Jefferson city was built in the 1820’s, then destroyed by a fire a decade later. The building that replaced it in 1840 was likewise destroyed by fire in February of 1911. The third capitol building stands strong to this day and in the very same location as its predecessor: on top of a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The symmetrical building pays homage to the archtiecture of the Roman renaissance. The state capitol is perhaps most famous for its magnificent, thirty-foot-wide staircase. Mounted on the dome is a bronze sculpture of Ceres, the goddess of grain; hardly a mysterious choice of symbolism given how fundamental agriculture has always been to Missouri’s way of life. Be sure to check out this landmark on your Branson vacation.