Lincoln, NE
Capital of Nebraska
Known as “Star City”
Overview
Lincoln is the capital city of Nebraska, located in the Midwest region of the United States. Founded in 1856, the city has grown to a population of approximately 291,082 residents within a state of 1,961,504 people. As the seat of Nebraska's state government, Lincoln serves as the political and administrative center of the state.
The city is home to the Nebraska State Capitol, a Art Deco / Modern Classical structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1932. Designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.
Lincoln has served as the capital of Nebraska since 1867. Before Lincoln, the state's capital was located in Omaha.
Nebraska State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln is one of the most architecturally innovative capitol buildings in the nation, featuring a 400-foot tower rising from a low, square base rather than a traditional dome. Designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, the building was revolutionary in its departure from the neoclassical domed design common to other capitols. Its extensive sculptural program and mosaics tell the story of democracy and the rule of law.
Art Deco with Byzantine and classical influences
Notable Features
- 400-foot tower instead of a traditional dome -- unique among U.S. capitols
- Sower statue atop the tower, symbolizing agriculture
- Extensive exterior and interior sculptural program by Lee Lawrie
- Mosaic floors depicting Nebraska's natural history
- 14th-floor observation deck with views of the Great Plains
- Designated a National Historic Landmark
Media Gallery
Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- ★The Nebraska State Capitol is one of the few in the U.S. that does not have a traditional dome; instead, it features a 400-foot Art Deco tower.
- ★The 'Sower' statue atop the tower stands 19.5 feet tall and symbolizes agriculture, broadcasting seeds over the state.
- ★Nebraska has the only unicameral (one-house) legislature in the United States, housed in this building.
- ★The building was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue and is considered one of his masterpieces.
- ★Lincoln was originally called Lancaster; it was renamed after Abraham Lincoln when Nebraska achieved statehood in 1867.
- ★The capitol took over a decade to build (1922-1932) and was paid for in cash as it was built, incurring no debt.