Florida's current Capitol is the fourth building to serve as the Sunshine State's official government building! Over the course of 153 years, Florida's government has had many homes.
Florida's first Capitol was a simple log cabin built in 1824, even before Florida became a state. Tallahassee was designated as the capital, because of a compromise between the legislators, who, in the early 1820s, would make a hazardous, 20-day journey from St. Augustine to Pensacola in alternating sessions. Tallahassee was chosen as the capital since it was a midway point between the two cities.
In 1826, a new Capitol was built, which was a tiny two-story "Mansion" measuring 40 by 26 feet. It was planned to be the wing of a larger Capitol in the future, but financial issues prohibited its completion.
Now, 16 years away from statehood, Florida's need of government grew. As the demand for a suitable state house grew, Congress approved $20,00 in funds for building a larger Capitol.
The old building was torn down immediately and builders commenced work on Florida's third Capitol: a brick structure, which is still the core of the Old Capitol (Florida State Capitol Museum). Meanwhile, Florida's government moved into temporary quarters. The Capitol was completed in 1845, the year Florida became a state.
The Capitol remained mostly unchanged during Civil War years, when Tallahassee remained the only confederate capital that avoided capture by the federal troops.
By the late 1800s, Florida suffered growing pains as the population expanded, and in 1891, the Capitol was in desperate need of repair. The structure was repainted, a small cupola (a rounded roof or ceiling) was added, and plumbing was installed.
Twice has there been a debate on relocating the Capitol. When it finally made it to the ballot, however, it was voted down.
In 1902, two wings were added to the Capitol, as well as a much larger dome. This was the last time Florida's government would operate under one roof. Soon after, the state government began moving to other buildings.
In 1969, when it was determined that the current Capitol could no longer accommodate the state government and legislative body's needs, the governor and Cabinet approved plans for a new Capitol, which serves as the state's official government building to this day.
In the 1972 legislative session, the legislature authorized money for a new Capitol Complex, which included House and Senate chambers and member offices, as well as a 22-story executive office building.
The House and Senate member offices and committee meeting rooms were built in the 5-story buildings on the north and south side of the current Capitol.
The three lower levels of the Capitol are below street level. The steel core was completed in 1975, however, it took 3 years and 10 months for the entire complex to be declared complete in August 1977. The Capitol was opened for the 1978 legislative session.
It took some $43,070,714 to build the Capitol, which was paid in full before the construction began. Another $1,975,338 was set aside for the landscaping of the west front area, which is known as Waller Park.
The Old Capitol
The Florida Historic Capitol Museum (Old Capitol) is located directly in front of the New Capitol.
Restoring the Old Capitol became an issue in 1978, when Governor Reubin O'D. Askew and House Speaker Donald L. Tucker favored outright demolition. Despite the pressure, however, the Old Capitol was saved.
After the completion of the current Capitol, it was restored to the 1902 version, and named Florida Historic Museum, which contains the state's political history.
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