Austin, TX
Capital of Texas
Known as “Live Music Capital of the World”
Overview
Austin is the capital city of Texas, located in the Southwest region of the United States. Founded in 1839, the city has grown to a population of approximately 979,263 residents within a state of 29,145,505 people. As the seat of Texas's state government, Austin serves as the political and administrative center of the state.
The city is home to the Texas State Capitol, a Renaissance Revival structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1888. Designed by Elijah E. Myers, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.
Austin has served as the capital of Texas since 1839. Before Austin, the state's capital was located in Washington-on-the-Brazos, Harrisburg, Galveston, Velasco, Columbia and Houston.
Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol in Austin is the largest state capitol building in the United States by square footage and one of the tallest, with its dome rising 311 feet -- 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Built from distinctive 'sunset red' granite quarried in Marble Falls, Texas, the building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986. The interior features terrazzo floors with inlaid brass stars and portraits of every Texas governor.
U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Notable Features
- Largest state capitol in the U.S. by square footage
- Dome stands 311 feet tall -- taller than the U.S. Capitol
- Built from Texas 'sunset red' granite
- Terrazzo floors with inlaid brass Lone Stars
- Underground extension completed in 1993 doubling usable space
- Whispering gallery effect beneath the dome
- 22 acres of landscaped grounds with monuments
Media Gallery
Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- ★The Texas State Capitol dome is 311 feet tall, making it 14 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington, D.C.
- ★The building was paid for with 3 million acres of public land instead of cash, which later became the famous XIT Ranch -- one of the largest ranches in history.
- ★The distinctive pink-red granite came from Granite Mountain near Marble Falls, Texas.
- ★An underground extension completed in 1993 effectively doubled the building's usable space.
- ★Standing beneath the dome and whispering creates a 'whispering gallery' effect that can be heard across the rotunda.
- ★Texas is the only state that was an independent republic (the Republic of Texas, 1836-1845) before joining the U.S.
- ★The word 'TEXAS' is spelled out in terrazzo on the rotunda floor, surrounded by the seals of the six nations that have governed Texas.