Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The State House

Built 1838–1861

By J. J. Prats, July 13, 2008

1. The State House Marker

Inscription. A total of 15 commissioners, seven architects, and numberless artisans built this Grecian Doric State House of local limestone and brick from Indian mound clay at a cost of $1,359,121. Experts today marvel that so many diverse personalities could have produced what is nationally recognized a a “pure” and noble structure.

A cornerstone was laid July 4, 1839, in the “northeast angle of the foundation ...”, although there is no visual evidence of its existence.

Actual construction progressed during 15 of the 22 years required to complete the building. Political differences, a cholera epidemic, and labor difficulties caused delays. The legislature occupied the unfinished building on January 5 1857.

This monumental structure majestic in its simplicity, is truly an historic symbol of democratic government by free men.

Erected 1966 by The Ohio Historical Society.

Location. 39° 57.618′ N, 83° 0.001′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. Marker is at the intersection of State Street and High Street, on the right when traveling west on State Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus OH 43215, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 12 other markers are within walking

By J. J. Prats, July 13, 2008

2. The State House Marker

distance of this marker. Columbus Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); United Mine Workers of America (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbus City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Oak (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ohio Theater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Spirit of ’98 (about 300 feet away); William McKinley (about 300 feet away); Ohio in the Civil War / Defending Ohio (about 400 feet away); Ohio World War Memorial (about 500 feet away); Here Stood Lincoln (about 500 feet away); “These Are My Jewels” (about 600 feet away); The Unknown Boy Scout (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

More about this marker. This is one of two identical plaques erected about 700 feet apart, this one facing south and the other facing north, and affixed to pedestrian entrances to the parking garage built beneath Capitol Square.

Also see . . . About the Statehouse. “The Statehouse is built in the Greek Revival style, a type of design based on the buildings of Ancient Greece and very popular in the U.S. during the early and mid 1800s. Because the city-states of Ancient Greece were the birthplace of

The State House image. Click for full size.

By J. J. Prats, July 12, 2008

3. The State House

The two pedestrian entrance buildings to the parking garage under the State House grounds are out of frame to the left and right. This marker is on the right entrance.

democracy, the style had great meaning in the young American nation. Greek Revival was simple and straightforward and looked nothing at all like the Gothic Revival buildings popular in Europe at the same period. The broad horizontal mass of the building and the even and regular rows of columns resemble such buildings as the Parthenon in Athens.” (Submitted on August 14, 2008.)

Categories. • Notable Buildings •

Double Decker in Front of State Capitol, Columbus, Ohio image. Click for full size.

J. J. Prats Postcard Collection

4. Double Decker in Front of State Capitol, Columbus, Ohio

Undated postcard published by the Haenlein Brothers Co. Inc., Columbus, Ohio.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on August 14, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,137 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 14, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on September 28, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.