Austin, Texas: The Capitol

The city of Austin, Texas was named after Stephen Fuller Austin (1793-1836), a participant in the Texas Revolution, and known as the Father of Texas. He was a great leader and colonizer of Texas.

The capitol building, erected in 1888, is one of the "largest in gross square footage of all state capitols and is second in total size only to the National Capitol in Washington, D.C."(http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/spb/capitol/texcap.htm). The capitol won an architecture contest in 1888, and it's style is Renaissance Revival. It sits on one of the highest points in the city and above the Colorado River. The University of Texas at Austin is only 4 blocks away. 

                                             Photo courtesy of State Preservation Board      

Surrounding the Capitol Building are 22 acres of historic monuments.
These include:

• Heroes of the Alamo
• Volunteer Firemen
• Confederate Soldiers
• Terry's Texas Rangers
• Hood's Texas Brigade
• Texas Cowboy
• The Hiker
• Statue of Liberty Replica
• Veterans of the 36th Infantry

...and more. 
If you are interested in going inside the Capitol itself, self-guided tours are available during business hours. The Texas State Capitol is located at:

1100 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701 

There is also a visitor's center nearby with more information about the Capitol as well as a gift shop.

In my next post, I will give you some of the most recommended sites to see in Austin!