Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln
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The building succeeds two capitols of the Nebraska Territory in Omaha, both built in the 1850s, before Nebraska was admitted to the Union in 1867; and two state capitols, completed in 1868 and 1889, that had structural problems. The 1889 building was a classical design by the architect William H. Willcox. The structure is anchored by a three-story, 437-foot square base. From the center of the base a tower rises 362 ft. and is crowned by a gold-tiled dome. The spire — The Sower and its pedestal — add an additional 32 ft. to the building’s height. Common measurements list the capitol at 400 ft. making it the second-tallest U.S statehouse, surpassed only by the 450-foot Louisiana State Capitol. In total, there are 15 full floor stories in the capitol (three mezzanines also exist within the tower). The 14th floor, Memorial Chamber, is the highest publically accessible level. At this level, four observatory decks offer views of Lincoln from 245 ft. above the ground.
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