Ohio Statehouse
Ohio_Statehouse.jpg
The Ohio Statehouse, located in Columbus, Ohio, is the seat of government for the state of Ohio. The Greek Revival building houses the Ohio General Assembly and the offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, and Auditor.
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History
Design and construction
When the state government moved to the new city of Columbus in 1816, it occupied a small, two story building on the corner of High and State Streets. The building had chambers for House and Senate as well as offices for other government functions. Very quickly the growth and expansion of the government made the building overcrowded, and though the crowding was relieved in some ways by the construction of additional small buildings near the original Statehouse, it was soon apparent that a larger, more aesthetically appealing facility was required.
In 1838, the state government announced a competition to select the design for a new Statehouse. The idea of a completion to select the design of a public building was not unusual. Structures such as the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. and other state capitols such as that in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania had been the result of similar contests. From a field of about fifty entries, three winners were selected: first prize going to Henry Walter of Cincinnati, second to Martin Thompson of New York, and third to painter Thomas Cole, also of New York. Although these finalists were selected, the organizing commission that made these decision was unable to choose one of the winning designs to begin building.
When the cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1839, a final design had not been arrived at. Consultation with Philadelphia architect A.J. Davis resulted in a composite design merging features of the three winners, but it was deemed too expensive. When Henry Walter, the first place winner of the design contest, was chosen to supervise construction he was set to work on a composite design that owed most of its inspiration to third place winner Thomas Cole. Work on the building's foundation and lower level continued for only a short time, when the Statehouse project encountered the first of many difficulties and setbacks.
The legislation that officially made Columbus the state’s capital city expired. While different factions within the government wrestled with the notion of moving the capitol to another city or letting it remain in Columbus, the physical building that had been started was ignored. The open excavations were filled in with earth and the Capitol square was used as pasture for livestock. It would be a number of years before work would begin again in earnest.
William Russell West and J.O. Sawyer of Cincinnati were appointed architects and general supervisors of the project in February 1848. In May of that year, the long delayed project was resumed. Steady progress would be made until a cholera epidemic in Columbus prompted great panic in the city and wide spread flight to the more healthful country. Once the epidemic subsided, work was able to proceed, and would fall into a regular pattern. During the inclement weather of winter, work would cease, to be resumed vigorously during the rest of the year.
Fire consumed the original brick Statehouse in 1852, which would provide added impetus to complete the new and larger Statehouse. A Columbus resident, Nathan B. Kelley, became architect and supervisor of the work in 1854. With much of the exterior complete, he would oversee the design and construction of the building’s interiors. The legislature met for the first time in the building in January 1857, with most of the building completed. The notable exception of the rotunda. Although actual work on the building was proceeding smoothly and rapidly, government officials were deeply dissatisfied with the work of architect Kelley, citing problems with his working methods and aesthetic choices.
A Cincinnati architect with a national reputation, Isaiah Rogers, was the final principal architect of the Statehouse construction. Rogers oversaw the completion of the interior and the work on the rotunda and its enclosing cupola. Work on the buildings, its grounds and landscaping was virtually completed in 1861.
Changes and expansion
As the role and function of State government changed and expanded, changes and expansions took place at the Ohio Statehouse. Originally, the building was the central location for all aspects of state government. As more offices and work rooms were required, large spaces would be subdivided into smaller areas. Infill construction swallowed up large areas of the building. The most prominent example was the filling in of the four open courts that occupied areas on the interior of the building. These open areas went from top to bottom of the structure and were intended to admit light and fresh air to the inner reaches of the building. The advent of electric light coupled with the need for space meant that many levels of offices would come to occupy these large open areas.
In 1901, the Supreme Court was relocated to a separate building on the east side of Capitol Square to alleviate crowding, and to give the body the prestige of its own building. The new building was constructed of the same Columbus limestone as the Statehouse. However, the interior was grander and more elaborate. The building was the work of Cincinnati architect Samuel Hanaford, and was completed in two years at the cost of $375,000. By comparison, the Statehouse itself took 22 years from start to finish and cost approximately $1.3 million.
Restoration
The two buildings became crowded, and decay from poor maintenance and heavy usage was evident. Both buildings survived despite proposals made to either demolish one or both buildings, or substantially remodel them. In 1989, a massive project commenced with the aim of restoring the buildings to the splendor their original builders envisioned as well as make them useful and practical government buildings. The Atrium, which connected the Statehouse with the Judiciary Annex, was completed in 1993. After the renovation, the Judiciary Annex became the Senate Building.
Description
Constructed of Columbus limestone, the Ohio Statehouse originally had 54 rooms. In 1989, the Statehouse contained 317 individual rooms.
The offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, and Auditor are located on the first floor of the building. The Ohio General Assembly chambers are on the second floor.
The Atrium, which connects the Statehouse with the Senate Building, is a large open space which hosts government functions and ceremonies as well as different meetings and events. Constructed of the same limestone as the two adjoining buildings, it is subtly different yet blends as part of a harmonious unit.