Southwest

Phoenix, AZ

Capital of Arizona

Known as “The Valley of the Sun”

Arizona State Capitol Building

Overview

Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona, located in the Southwest region of the United States. Founded in 1868, the city has grown to a population of approximately 1,608,139 residents within a state of 7,151,502 people. As both the largest city and capital of Arizona, Phoenix serves as the political, administrative, and economic center of the state.

The city is home to the Arizona State Capitol, a Neoclassical structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1901. Designed by James Riely Gordon, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.

Phoenix has served as the capital of Arizona since 1889. Before Phoenix, the state's capital was located in Prescott and Tucson.

Arizona State Capitol

The Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix features a distinctive copper dome topped by a weathervane figure known as 'Winged Victory.' The building served as the territorial and then state capitol until the legislature moved to adjacent modern buildings in the 1960s. Today the original building operates as the Arizona Capitol Museum, preserving the history of Arizona's government and statehood.

Design Inspiration

U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Year Built
1901
Architect
James Riely Gordon
Architectural Style
Neoclassical
Building Area
85,000 sq ft
National Register
Listed

Notable Features

  • Copper dome topped with 'Winged Victory' weathervane
  • Built with native tufa stone and granite
  • Now operates as the Arizona Capitol Museum
  • Restored House and Senate chambers
  • Surrounding Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza with monuments
  • USS Arizona anchor memorial on the grounds

Media Gallery

Arizona State Capitol Building

Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.

Fun Facts & Trivia

  • ★Phoenix is the hottest state capital in the U.S., with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • ★The copper dome of the capitol reflects Arizona's status as the largest copper-producing state in the nation.
  • ★Arizona was the last of the contiguous 48 states to be admitted to the Union, achieving statehood on February 14, 1912.
  • ★Phoenix is the fifth most populous city in the United States.
  • ★The 'Winged Victory' statue atop the dome was modeled after the Nike of Samothrace.
  • ★Phoenix was built on the ruins of a Hohokam civilization canal system, which inspired its name -- rising from the ashes like the mythical phoenix.