THE CAPITOL BUILDING The California State Capitol is home to the government of California. The building houses the bicameral state legislature and the office of the governor. The Neoclassical structure was completed between 1861 and 1874 at the west end of Capitol Park, which is framed by L Street to the north, N Street to the south, 10th Street to the west, and 15th Street to the east. The Capitol and grounds were listed on the office of the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and listed as a California Historical Landmark during 1974, with a re-dedication on January 9, 1982 to commemorate the close of the bicentennial restoration project. The California Senate chamber seats its 40 members in a large chamber room decorated in red, which is a reference to the British House of Lords, also the upper house of a bicameral legislature. The Latin phrase “Senatoris est civitatis libertatem tueri” [“It is the duty of a Senator to protect the liberty of the people”] lines a wall in the chamber.
HISTORIC CALIFORNIA CAPITAL LOCATIONS 1. Monterey September 9, 1849 - October 13, 1849 2. Pueblo de San Jose December 15, 1849 - May 1, 1851 3. Vallejo January 5, 1852 - January 12, 1852 4. Sacramento January 16, 1852 - November 2, 1853 5. Vallejo January 3, 1853 - February 4, 1853 6. Benicia Top: The Capitol building is the heart of downtown. Above: A stained glass state seal at the Capitol.
The California Assembly chamber is located at the opposite end of the building. Its green tones are based on those of the British House of Commons, the lower house. The dais rests along a wall shaped like an “E”, with the central projection housing the rostrum. Along the cornice appears a quotation from Abraham
February 11, 1853 - February 25, 1854 7. Sacramento February 28, 1854 - present day
Lincoln in Latin: legislatorum est justas leges condere (“It is the duty of legislators to pass just laws”). Public tours are conducted daily, on the hour, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For tour information, call (916) 324-0333.