Downtown in Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Michigan State Capitol
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Michigan's Three Capitols
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, September 19, 2021
1. Michigan State Capitol Marker
Michigan State Capitol. Hailed by Michigan citizens as a proud symbol of their young and growing state, this building was dedicated on January 1, 1879. National publications praised its scandal-free construction which took six years, and its thrifty $1,43 million budget. After 110 years of aging and intense use, it was restored (1989-1992) to its former elegance. It is recognized for itsw unparalleled decorative painting, for establishing the domed capitol as an American icon, and for launching the national career of its architect, Elijah E. Myers of Detroit. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1992.
Michigan's Three Capitols. This building is the third to serve as the seat of Michigan state government. When Michigan entered the Union in 1837, the territorial courthouse and capitol in Detroit became the first state capitol. Ten years later, the legislature moved the seat of state government to densely wooded, sparsely populated Lansing Township in Ingham County. The hastily built, two-story wood-frame building with a tin cupola served as Michigan's second capitol until late in 1878. Of Michigan's three
this page online
Erected 2015 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number HB1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list.
Location. 42° 44.014′ N, 84° 33.241′ W. Marker is in Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of North Capitol Avenue and Michigan Avenue on North Capitol Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 N Capitol Ave, Lansing MI 48933, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Mid-Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Michigan State Capitol (a few
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, September 19, 2021
2. Michigan's Three Capitols Marker
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, November 20, 2016
3. Michigan State Capitol
Photographed by Bill Rieske, July 24, 2008
4. Michigan State Capitol Dome
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 899 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on July 29, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 20, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3. submitted on November 25, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4. submitted on May 23, 2017, by Bill Rieske of Lansing, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
