British Architect Reacts to Ranking the 50 US State Capitols

[@aandpman]

I'd like to interject that the "dusty look" that he mentioned in regards to the Texas capitol building is due to it's being constructed of a unique pink granite that was quarried here in Texas.

[@sallythekolcat]

If they had done a few white highlights, it would have made that pink pop...

[@roycelabor4339]

spot on Mike! The Texas red granite is from Burnet County. It's hands down the most beautiful!

[@Missteresita2252]

It does look a little dusty from afar but when you see it in person the granite is very unique and beautiful. There’s a little controversy over whether it’s called Texas pink or sunset red. In Texas most of us refer to it as Texas pink. Central Texas granite comes in a variety of shades and they’re all beautiful (in my opinion).

[@roycelabor4339]

@@Missteresita2252 absolutely Teresa. It really is breathtaking when you get close to it.

[@daniel_sc1024]

I think that is true with more than one "dusty" capitol building - they were built from native stone.

[@jay-efname1791]

Thanks for another interesting video, Love Beesley!!

[@Raiderghost73]

That’s Arizona’s old state capitol… That building is now used as a museum… the dome is made 100% out of copper … Arizona is the number one producer of copper …. Sitting across the street in a park is the anchor from the USS Arizona which was sunk at the attack on Pearl .. The distance from the anchor to the front door of the capitol building is the same length of the ship USS Arizona

[@clinthowe7629]

Arizona’s capitol has a copper dome, in honor of the state’s large roll in copper mining. i think it’s better than the credit it gets.

[@paulschulte8651]

AZ old capitol has been a museum for a long time. The buildings on the right and left are for the legislature and there is an executive tower behind the old capital.

[@timothycook2917]

15:50 fun fact: That's my uncle on the horse statue out front with the sword ✔

[@evilproducer01]

Wisconsin’s capitol is gorgeous on the inside. The rotunda is spectacular. It is also the only state capitol on an isthmus between two lakes.

[@LOVEMUFFIN_official]

As a proud Pennsylvania citizen who was also born in Wisconsin and lived there for many years, it was great to see my two states of residence placed so highly in regard!

[@unnecessaryapostrophe4047]

Madison is just a nice town overall. It's up there with Santa Fe and Montpelier for me.

[@lauramau2530]

I lived in Madison for years and now I live in Austin Texas. Both Wisconsin and Texas state capitals are gorgeous inside and out. I also was just able to visit Iowa’s capital. I was extremely impressed. The inside is stunning.

[@jwi792]

Good video per usual

[@TheBeesleys99]

Ayyy legend!

[@tyjaifoster1112]

@@TheBeesleys99 Kabir considers and Beesley crossover when is it going to happen and with krytearia

[@Alan-lv9rw]

Hooray Connecticut!

[@Sunsets330]

This video is giving me bucket list material.

[@karendeloof8306]

And the building is so beautiful inside, I never got bored looking around even though I passed through multiple times everyday.

[@taynnas6413]

As a Texan, I'm definitely not objective but it's definitely my favorite. The interior is amazing. Also, we're proud of the dusty pink color because it's a native Texas granite.

[@PUAlum]

I LOVED visiting the TX capitol when visiting Austin some years ago.

[@peanutmwo6001]

Pink Granite always looks nice tbh

[@avshockey6633]

The gold dome on the Colorado capitol is actually real gold leaf. The gold was mined in Colorado, then sent to Italy to be pressed into gold leaf. Looks really cool when the sun hits it just right.

[@M.ruth96]

The same goes with West Virginia

[@brendancooperider7622]

Iowa is as well

[@DramaMustRemainOnTheStage]

Georgia too. Mined in dalonega GA

[@markhb1]

Same for Massachusetts.

[@Rick8151]

Wyoming as well.

[@liamengram6326]

I grew up and eventually moved back to the Capital District of NY (Albany area). I have worked in the Capitol building and the Legislative Office Building. The Empire Plaza in Albany NY is one of the most breathtaking feats of architecture that isn't centuries old. Massive slabs of green mountain marble, the million dollar staircase, an entire underground pedestrian path with shops that connects the LOB, the Capitol, all 4 agency buildings, The Egg, and the NYS Museum. It's a small town especially compared to NYC. But Empire Plaza is ABSOLUTELY beautiful. When I was growing up I even worked at a restaurant whose bar is the longest solid mahogany bar in the U.S. and came straight from Tammany Hall.

[@caw7007]

I’m a sucker for a dome too! Love this video!!

[@mermerv]

Of the ones I've seen in person, West Virginia takes it for me. The setting is gorgeous. I saw it on a road trip, just driving through, and I've never forgotten it.

[@stoveboltlvr3798]

Best dome for sure, blue and gold- Mountaineers!

[@MarkM58]

@@stoveboltlvr3798 I just posted that there are many better pictures, especially from the river side.

[@bobholtzmann]

The Virginia State Capitol should have some credit as being one of the older buildings (1788). And its design concept was by Thomas Jefferson - so based on its history, Virginia would not be replacing it for a very long time.

[@stormysyndrome7043]

Yeah, caught me off guard when the guy referenced it as a plantation building. It was a break from the classic English architecture and inspire$ by a French temple.

[@Kaybri0526]

@@stormysyndrome7043 right lmao, as a Virginian, when he said that it actually shocked me!

[@kittenishsine8309]

Virginia deserves top 20 at least

[@tammystark6364]

As someone from Wisconsin I am a little bit bias for our capitol. But it really is beautiful. If you can go on line and pull up a picture of it at night. It is amazing

[@flashdonat]

Construction on the Minnesota state capitol building was started in 1896 and was renovated from 2013-2017 It is totally awesome inside ... It has all of its original artwork and architecture and charm! The Minnesota State Capitol dome is the second largest self-supported marble dome in the world, behind Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.

[@jessevorwald8259]

The inside of Wisconsin's Capital is gorgeous. It was so approachable as a college student in Madison.

[@jessevorwald8259]

The Laws in Madison WI prevent buildings from being taller then the Capitol.

[@WillowWhispers]

I grew up within walking distance of Iowa's Capitol building, spent many summers exploring inside and climbing the spiral staircase to its dome. It's been over 50 years since those days but that dome still grabs my attention. Each time I pass by, it reminds me I am finally hone after 47 years.

[@andrewhWTL]

Viewing from the UK, with these photos to go on, I agree - Wisconsin for me.

[@mlee-w664]

Pennsylvania State Capitol building is my personal favorite, but I'm biased because I live down the street from it 😅

[@KalEL224]

The original gold dome for MA was created by Paul revere always love that fact.

[@ronsontag6841]

The inside of the Wisconsin Capitol is breathtaking.. There is a video of it on line .

[@BrendanWelch16]

Same with Minnesota’s

[@ronsontag6841]

@@BrendanWelch16 but Madison is much prettier then St Paul.LOL

[@BrendanWelch16]

@@ronsontag6841 there both equally beautiful, but St. Paul is larger due to the Minneapolis retro area so u have more stuff to do and the capital city isn’t what we’re talking about here

[@jez6078]

The pride of Madison is seeking the Wisconsin capital building from the skyline of lake monona www.phoenixlighting.com/projects/lighting-wisconsin-state-capitol-dome

[@ChaoticCobras]

i’m from pennsylvania and we’re never really near the top of any ranking videos, at most we usually come in around the 20s, so being ranked so highly at number 3 feels good

[@pghrpg4065]

So true--except for world's most expensive toll road!

[@tanyamckinnon5376]

I'm in Pennsylvania right now visiting my son and his family. It's a BEAUTIFUL state!

[@tanyamckinnon5376]

@@jamesmatthewneeland5707 just beautiful

[@Otakugirl44]

i mean we get ranked number 1,2 or 3 for potholes.

[@ChaoticCobras]

@@Otakugirl44 tell me about it

[@corinnepmorrison1854]

The Nevada capitol’s dome used to be silver...and that was beautiful!!

[@adriannecote5319]

I am from CT and went to school across the street from that building. It is surrounded by a lovely treed park. A great place to take your books and sit out in the sun to study; especially in spring and fall.

[@utubewatcher806]

the mismatch of dome and exterior walls on some capitols is often due to the dome being built after the building was completed and funds for the dome were lacking. example, oklahoma did not have a dome until 2002. many domes west of the mississippi are gold-leafed or silver-plated because of the mining or agricultural wealth.

[@Camie.in.Philly]

I'm from Philadelphia Pennsylvania and our Capital building is beautiful but I must say we have the best looking City Hall in the country. It's like just as grand as these.

[@bulletproofman323]

Yooo! That's awesome, I see Oregon in the thumbnail. You rock man!🤘 - This Oregonian

[@Charsept]

The gold on the Georgia capitol building is from the Dahlonega gold mines. It was the USA's earlier gold rush. Before the more famous California gold rush.

[@Mrhandfriends]

Talented and well educated Beesley !

[@laurencooper654]

I go to the California capitol daily to exercise and it’s such a nice building and the gardens around it are gorgeous. You could spend hours walking the gardens and looking at the memorials.

[@raymondstapleton3945]

a bit of architectural trivia, the Rhode Island Capitol dome is the fourth largest self supported marble dome in the world. it's beaten by St. Peter's, the Taj Mahal and the Minnesota State Capitol.

[@emeraldaura9031]

Beesley: "Wisconsin has to be my favorite." Me from Wisconsin: "Thank you" I've been inside the capitol building before and it truly feels awe inspiring. If you get the chance, I highly recommend checking out videos or photos of the inside cause it truly is amazing.

[@vidcas1711]

I’m also from Wisconsin and am biased, but our Capitol has got to be one of the best. It really is mesmerizing standing inside and then having the 4 wings protruding from the rotunda. I’ve even performed in the rotunda during TubaChristmas, and there really is a magical feeling, even if the acoustics are challenging.

[@lookatpennsylvania]

The Pennsylvania State Capitol building is probably the most beautiful Capitol building in the whole United States. In this video you only saw the outside of it. But I recommend two videos that you can choose from, if you'd like, to view on your Channel. I cannot put the links in the comments here because KZbin does not allow links, but the titles are as follows: A Legislative Report Touring the Historic Pa. Capitol And, Focus on the 46th: PA Capitol Tour Both videos are similar in content, but each shows a different angle of the beauty of the building. I highly recommend that you watch both of them and then choose from one of them to show to the folks on your channel. I know for sure that you will enjoy these videos. One thing I will say about the Pennsylvania state capital which is mentioned in the tour, is that the gold inside the Capitol building is all real. It is 23 karat gold leaf. They never kept track of how much gold they put into the Capitol building; therefore we have no idea how much is exactly in the building. That, and many other things, will be explained during these tours. I highly encourage you to watch them. I really hope that you are able to put it on your Channel.

[@jamesmarciel5237]

The underground portion of the Texas state capitol building is a recent addition. It was added as an expansion to the original building. The open section in the underground addition is a light well that allows natural light to enter. The light well is also designed that when you look down into it, it is a mirror image of when you look up inside the dome of the original portion of the building. The “dusty” color he referred to is a result of the building being built out of pink granite.

[@thseed7]

Merrilund = Maryland I live in Denver, Colorado's Capitol. About 10 years ago, they hired a company to restore the Capitol Building and redo the gold leaf covered dome. The gold leaf application on the dome was not done correctly and after a few months and some heavy rain, the incomplete restoration saw hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold being washed away. They collected much of the lost gold from storm drains, reprocess it and had to reapply it correctly.

[@jlpack62]

I don't care what anyone says. I love the Art Deco Oregon Capitol! North Carolina's is also way more charming and appropriate in person than those photos indicate.

[@barbara832001]

I agree that North Carolina's capitol looks better in person than in the pictures.

[@kenf3539]

After the first Oregon capital building burned down in 1855, they built a new one. It burned down in 1935 so they built this one, during the depression. Perhaps the marble exterior was used because of the fires... The golden pioneer at the top of the dome is a 8 1/2 ton bronze sculpture covered in gold leaf.

[@kevinbrown-ge6sz]

Yes, NC's capitol should be much higher on the list

[@eschiedler]

Yes the Art Deco style of the Oregon Capitol is so unique it would be unusual if an architect that saw it in person didn't rank it among the top 5. edit: but I can understand that is not everyone's cup of tea.

[@caseyparker6375]

Oregon"s burnt down and was rebuilt. A comment at the time it was finished was, " It looks like a hatbox on a shingle!"

[@dennisharnish9063]

I live in Madison, Wisconsin. Our state Alitalia building is nice for a tour. The university of Wisconsin is very close and adds to nice set. Of it.

[@markhb1]

One thing about New York's design: it was intended to include both a tower and a dome, but it was found that the land wouldn't support it. Also, Massachusetts also has an Old State House, with a couple of supporters on the roofline you might recognize....

[@chrisk5651]

I heard that they had run out of money for the dome. New York’s of course cost more than the U.S. Capitol building and they were built at the same time. They even have a million dollar staircase.

[@INDYANDY4C]

Thanks for liking Indianapolis as a Capitol Building. Our roof on the building is copper and it goes green when we don’t clean it and oxidizes.

[@INDYANDY4C]

Btw, Indiana Lime Stone is used in 14 Capitol buildings, including our own, but also the US Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Lincoln Monument….. etc.

[@Alex-kd5xc]

I live 1 mile away from the Texas state capitol building and work right across the street from it and it really is a beautiful looking building. The grounds surrounding it are quite pretty and also has tons of memorials and statues that make it even better. There’s an underground tunnel that connects the building I work to with the capitol and I’ve been through it once before. The underground portion of the capitol is quite nice too.

[@cgmason7568]

The photos made it seem darker than it is

[@jartstopsign]

Minnesota and Wisconsin bringing in the top 10 let's go!

[@shawnanderson6313]

Upper Midwest represent!

[@hodo2053]

one of my favorite school field trips as a kid was going to the MN state capitol-- a very fond memory!

[@BrendanWelch16]

@@hodo2053 I was there too

[@thomashanson6603]

Spoiled it for me but honestly not even mad

[@johnettipio]

The New Jersey one looks like something that would bring real estate values down for all buildings in it's vicinity.

[@jefffinlayson3002]

A dome, large stairs, and nice grounds are key for capitol buildings in my opinion. Being on top of a hill is big plus also.

[@berryb745]

Fun fact: Texas paid 3 million acres of Texas land in return to build state capital, forming the famous XIT ranch, which in turn created major part of the cattle drive Wild West era, and the cowboy saga.

[@Sinvare]

I am shocked he didn't mention the the fact that the dome of the Washington State legislative building is the tallest self-supporting masonry dome in the Western Hemisphere and 5th in the world. The four larger are St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, St. Paul's Cathedral in London, the Global Vipassana Pagoda in Mumbai and Santa Maria Del Firoe in Florence. The legislative building and Temple of Justice building sit facing each other on a hill that overlooks a 260 acre artificial lake that has salmon runs in the fall. There are views of the Cascade mountains to the east, including Mt. Rainier an active volcano and the most prominent peak in the the contiguous United States (Hawaii and Alaska are separate). To the west you can see the Olympic Mountains.

[@MarthaDwyer]

What he showed is the Old State Capital of NC and is no longer used. It's open for tourists to explore. The newer (1964) Legislature Building is about a block away and houses both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

[@zualapips1638]

Pennsylvania's Capitol is badass. It looks like the Capitol building of a superpower.

[@BrendanWelch16]

Pennsylvania is ranked in number 41 in the whole union 😬

[@zualapips1638]

@@BrendanWelch16 By what metric? Pennsylvania is the 6th largest economy in the union.

[@BrendanWelch16]

@@zualapips1638 us news and world report 2019

[@Jim-the-Engineer]

Pennsylvania'a looks nice on the outside, but is more impressive inside. If you have the chance, you should visit.

[@randyobenchain96]

As a Hoosier (Indiana), he forgot mention the Statehouse also has a direct view to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis

[@ChrisVuletich]

I'm with you on Wisconsin. I've visited 15 state capitols so far and it's definitely my favorite one. Another nice thing about it is that it's surrounded by a square street that's full of bars and restaurants, so it's also a cool place to hang out for the day.

[@dougbowers1256]

Many of the Capitols have amazing interiors, perhaps they all do. It would be neat to see a review of those.

[@dmytro732]

CT especially. The interior is covered in wood trim, and it has stained glass windows. Gives you a cozy, gothic style cathedral feel.

[@marianking3773]

Rotundas, grand staircases and frescoes!

[@EWForbess]

Just an interesting note on the Texas state capitol. The statue on top has a face that is pretty scary up close. That was done on purpose, as those in charge realized that the sharp, chiseled features would blend into an attractive face from a distance, whereas a beautiful face up close would have blended into a blank, featureless face at a distance. I'm sure that not many people noticed prior to the invention of good cameras, helicopters and drone video. Check it out -- I really think you will be shocked!

[@ms_scribbles]

Oh wow, Connecticut's looks like a European castle. That's gorgeous.

[@150mcl150]

Growing up as a kid in Pennsylvania, my school took a trip to visit our state capitol. I was blown away then and now.

[@ThriftSchool]

I was waiting for Connecticut the whole time. Honestly id probably rank it closer to 5

[@jordanknight336]

I wasn't expecting my home state of Iowa to rank so high, I've never seen other state capitols so I guess I always assumed they would be nicer than middle of nowhere Iowa. Makes me proud man.

[@karendeloof8306]

Wisconsin person here. I worked one summer as a groundskeeper at the Capitol and one day during a rain storm one of the employees took me to the very top.there was a railed area walk around outside and the view was spectacular. The tour no longer goes that high because people would freeze going down and have to be carried down. the stairs were wrought iron you could see through. Also, fun fact the golden statue on top, Miss Forward, is hollow. I could have climbed inside but the ladder was old and rickety...pass.

[@mimikannisto4418]

Minnesota's is very similar both in look and being able to go out and see the view. I like them both. I had no idea just how different other state capitals look. I was silly to think they would all have similar design.

[@brandyforsythe1882]

Every kid grows up visiting the Capitol in Texas. While this video states it looks dirty on the outside it's made from Texas red granite. The inside of Texas limestone and the 85,too sq ft roof is made of copper. Honestly with it's open underground part it's stunning! Proud of my states Capitol building.

[@0816M3RC]

I grew up in Texas and I don't remember going..

[@catgirl6803]

The Maryland Capitol building isn’t only the oldest in use but the reason it’s in use is because it’s historically significant. It served as the US Capitol building and its where the Revolutionary War formally ended when George Washington resigned his commission as commander and chief of the continental army. The room where he resigned is still setup like it was on that day.

[@randomtraveler9854]

He resigned in the old Senate Chamber, which was replaced with a new Senate Chamber in the early 20th century. The House Chamber was also replaced and the original also still exists. Pretty cool how they re-created the resignation with the Statue of Washington.

[@emilynicholson5726]

The Hawaii state capital building was designed with a specific idea in mind. The base of the building kind of has a dome-ish mountain design coming up from it trying to symbolize a volcano. And the pillars surrounding the building, if you look at it closer you can see that it looks like an upside-down volcano with lava exploding or erupting out the top of it into the ground.

[@ryan4651]

It also self shades which is handy

[@jovetj]

21:08 The capital of South Dakota, Pierre, is more-properly pronounced similar to "pear" ... maybe "pee air" smushed together, with a very light i.

[@WhatDayIsItTrumpDay]

Those High-rise Capitols are like the LAPD HQ. Which begs the question if it was ever a governmental building before it was the HQ for the police department.

[@MuseMarketing]

Years ago I was a tour guide at the Wisconsin State Capitol...we had several guests who had been to all state capitols who considered it the most beautiful of all

[@kristina__marie]

I happen to live in Madison, WI and although we don't have an exposed underground, our state capitol bldg is EXTREMELY accessible, which is supremely important. My sister was married there & there couldn't be a more stately setting than that. 10/10 from me lol 😁

[@vidcas1711]

I’ve had relatives live in Madison, and they talked about how they would cut through the Capitol on their daily commute.

[@ramonalfaro3252]

The grounds around the California Capitol are beautiful . I lived close by and use to take my son there when he was young. The trees are the best part, especially the Redwoods they planted there.

[@leephillips2837]

as an Iowa native, I've always loved our capitol building. the building sits on a hill in downtown Des Moines and dominates its surroundings. We also have an 'old capitol' in Iowa City. It's beautiful as well, but a completely different scale. one of the things GK left out is many of these buildings are obviously WPA. That really should be part of the discussion.

[@taynnas6413]

My whole family is from Iowa. I've always liked the old capitol better.

[@justindye9443]

I am shocked that we placed second! I didn't realize how varied so many of the other state's capitol buildings were. Love when we were building the hotel near Hyvee hall a few years ago, almost every day I got pics of the building.

[@danpals7678]

My family lives in Iowa and I used to drive by the capitol often and it is beautiful especially at sunset and the interior is stunning. The grounds around it are beautiful as well. The first capitol building is still standing in the original capitol in Iowa City and is also very beautiful. The gold on both is real.

[@russellfisher2853]

I'd love to see a list of the city and state courthouses, some of those are cooler than the capital buildings. Also some of the bigger old churches, and federal buildings.

[@guyindecatur]

I agree with his #1 ranking. Connecticut's beautiful capitol was designed by *British* architect *Richard Upjohn.* He was a prolific architect that designed many church buildings across the South (as is my experience) and across other parts of the nation.

[@historywatchdog2923]

Your reaction to Oregon: priceless! 😆

[@davidbaker6912]

The domes are copper clad, depending on renewal it could care less for your offense of contrast. Copper oxide goes to green...

[@lindacarroll6896]

As an architect, you need to look into when they were built, what materials were available and what the budget was. Who was the architect? What were his credentials at that time? The video person is allowed to just go by what he likes, but you need more information before you judge. We have one courthouse building in Texas that they just built a square building around the outside of the existing building because at the time it needed to be replaced, that is all they could afford.

[@historywatchdog2923]

They just recently cleaned the Washington State Capitol and it looks so much nicer than it did before: it's so much brighter.

[@WildStar2002]

I wish you could see what the Utah State Capitol looked like when the dome was new. Like the Statue of Liberty, it is copper-plated, so it has that grey-green patina now due to oxidation - but when it was first built, and when the sheeting was replaced in the 1980s, it shown with a burnished reflective copper hue that was absolutely stunning to see - especially at sunset. 🙂

[@timhefty504]

Wisconsin state capitol at night from a distance, especially across the lakes, looks gorgeous

[@marianking3773]

New York State snip did not show the park at the back of the building. Updated probably in the 1970/1980 period with reflecting pool and fountains. Building is partway up on a hill that goes on but I think more gradually after the Capital.

[@NurseEmilie]

His complaints come from these buildings not having a dome. I agree.

[@Teresia12]

When my father in law graduated from flight school in WWII he flew his plane very close to the Georgia State Capitol. There was a picture in the paper of it. He was a mess. (That's a good thing)

[@katiehanson6253]

There is a law, that prohibits any building to be higher than the capitol in WI. It makes a lot of sense, considering when WI became a state. Also WI became a state quite early, and it was 1848 when Madison was chosen as the capital

[@JJoy-bk8yr]

In the Texas hill country, there is a natural feature called Enchanted Rock. It is an enormous round dome of solid pink granite, and of course it is protected, but you can go walk on it. There is a lot more of the pink granite in those hills, and some of it was used to build the state capitol. And that is why the capitol is pink rather than white. It's a good color in person.

[@McGriddle69]

Oregon capitol building I could tell right off the bat was built in the 30s. It's that classic 30s FDR new deal looking building.

[@wesleypeters4112]

My home state got No. 2! Iowa's state capitol took over a decade to construct. The same architect also designed the one in IL. He died before the one in Iowa was finished.

[@RE-bg9ds]

Hello from Denver Colorado I've been inside of our capital it's beautiful on the inside as well

[@japhialynne]

There are only two double domed capital building, one in Washington, DC and the one in Austin, TX. The Austin building is made of Texas pink granite and it is beautiful.

[@br7nf-n573]

I’m kinda sad Maryland was only 31. It’s SUCH a nice building. Beautiful on the inside, especially the view from the top of the dome. My dad was a State Delegate and we always got to go there.

[@br7nf-n573]

I’m also a history buff, and knowing that one of the rooms in the building is the actual room where George Washington gave his Farewell Address, stepping down from his Presidency. The building is so rich in history and architecture, I just love it 💕

[@truaqua]

@@br7nf-n573 I can see why you think it's so beautiful. I would definitely have to agree with you because I love me some good historical architecture and buildings. However, with that being said, it's not necessarily "grand" or "flashy" so I can still see how someone else could view it as not as eye catching.

[@kepetez06]

Wisconsin capitol building has the biggest dome outside d.c. and sits on a isthmus 10 is kinda weak for it.

[@What_Makes_Climate_Tick]

I agree that Wisconsin is a really good one, and the downtown area is purposely arranged so that there are many sightlines toward it.

[@jkfecke]

I'm from Minnesota and I'd agree - Wisconsin is a top-five Capitol building. A very unique spin on the design.

[@What_Makes_Climate_Tick]

I'm originally from Minnesota as well, but now live in Michigan. I hadn't really thought about the capitol in Lansing that much, but maybe it does deserve the low ranking it got, even though I knew the guy (now deceased) who was the chief architect for a renovation of it in the 90s.

[@Rick8151]

The Capitol was in its original state until few years ago. Where a renovation was made, and provided heat to it, more bathrooms than the few it had prior, had original wiring, communication lines from when it was constructed in 1888. Wyoming is an interesting place. When it became a Territory in 1868, it was the first place in the USA to Grant Rights to Women, to vote, own property and hold elected positions. The reason why it took Wyoming long-time to be admitted to the Union for statehood, was do to a disagreement. The Federal government wanted Territory Wyoming to remove Woman Suffrage from our constitution. Federal Government gave up on the disagreement and 1890 became a State and only state to allow this for women 30 years before it was granted at the Federal level. Also had the first Woman Governor in the 1920s.

[@cjpreach]

Wisconsin's Capitol is also near the lake that defines the city of Madison.

[@LarryHatch]

I think the Virginia State Capitol is much better than it's ranking for three reasons: 1) it was also the national capitol of the Confederate States of America, it's own country at the time, 2) it was designed by Thomas Jefferson while in France after studying the best buildings there, sending a plaster model by sea back home, and 3) like the original North Carolina Capitol it was dedicated by the founder of our country George Washington. You just don't get that kind of history in Wyoming or California.

[@fakecubed]

I'd like to see an architect rank the 50 state capitals, the whole cities ranked holistically for overall architectural style and skyline. Some capital cities are really ugly, regardless of how nice their capitol buildings may be. Perhaps also city halls ranked, as well, for the country's biggest cities. There's a few I know in particular that are surprisingly nice, and some that are surprisingly bad.

[@kisili7319]

WooWoo. Minnesota is #4. We're never that high up in rankings (except in regards to bad things like snow, low temps, taxes, etc)! Though looking at it in comparison with these others, I have to say, Minnesotan though I am, it is a beautiful building. If you see it in aerial views with the St Paul Cathedral nearby, they're pretty stunning together.

[@noahrainwater2373]

I think he should have given the Georgia state capitol a better rating because the gold on the dome has a historical background, in that the gold was obtained from the gold mines in Dahlonega. A small town in North Georgia

[@RoshammboGamming]

the dome of the Ga one is actually plated in gold

[@karenrediker2449]

During WWII Vermont painted the dome black so that if any enemy planes flew over the gold dome wouldn’t stand out. We are very proud of our building

[@gregpc925]

I grew up in Hartford, CT but now live in the San Francisco Bay but the Connecticut State capital building in Hartford was suppose to have a clock and not a dome. They thought it would resemble Big Ben so they changed it to a gold dome.

[@secolerice]

I wish he had shown the usual picture of the Colorado State Capitol with the view of the mountains behind it. It would be also great to see a video of interiors of each building. Colorado and Texas have beautiful interiors. Typically, the buildings are made with local stone and may catch the light well in certain types of the day and look not as great at other times.

[@kebobs3727]

I've seen some insanely nice long distance angles of the Minnesota capitol at night and WOW it's stunning

[@thelunatick1993]

Minnesota capital dome is the second largest self supporting marble dome. Behind St. Peter’s basilica in Rome. Though cannot compare with others. As have not seen others. But is quite nice.

[@GilaMonster971]

Haha...he said Oregon’s capitol looks like a prison. There are actually 5 prisons in Salem (the state Capitol), and I worked in 4 of them.