Capitol History
The current Texas State Capitol is the third building to serve that purpose. The first, a wooden structure, served as the capital of the Republic of Texas and was used as the seat of government after Texas joined the Commonwealth. A second Texas State Capitol was built in 1853 on the same site as the current Capitol in Austin. It was destroyed by fire in 1881, but plans were already being made to replace it with a new, larger structure. The cornerstone, which is located at the northeast corner of the Capitol, was laid on March 2, 1885. The Capitol was nearing completion when a dedication ceremony was held on May 16, 1888, and in September of that year, the building received its first occupants. The Capitol was officially completed on December 8, 1888, six years and ten months after construction began. Designed by Detroit architect, E. E. Myers who also designed the Michigan and Colorado Capitols, the Texas Capitol covers three acres of ground with approximately 18 acres of floor space or 192,374 square feet of available office space. When completed in 1888, the building contained 392 rooms, 18 vaults, 924 windows, and 404 doors. Approximately 566 feet in length, 288 feet in width, and 302.64 feet from grade line to the top of the star on the Goddess of Liberty atop the dome, it is taller than the National Capitol in Washington, D.C. In fact, like several other state Capitol buildings, the Texas Capitol surpasses the National Capitol in height, rising 14.64 feet above its Washington counterpart.
This cache brings you near the Capitals visitors center and not too far from the Governors Mansion. Happy hunting and please be very stealthily, a ton of muggles around.