It’s amazing to think about how some of Missouri’s most beautiful buildings were constructed. Before the invention of power tools and heavy machinery, construction workers had to do most of their work by hand. The grand Missouri State Capitol building was erected at the turn of the 19th century and the construction photos are simply stunning.
- 1913 - Constuction on the new capitol began in 1913. This photo shows men dismantling the stone columns from the original Jefferson City capitol building.
Missouri State Archives Website
- July 15, 1914 - By mid-1914 most of the building had been outlined in steel beams.
Missouri State Archives Website
- Unknown Date - This photo from ground level shows the wooden scaffolding used by workers during construction on the capital building.
Missouri State Archives Website
- September 15, 1914 - The dome of the capital building has finally been outlined with steel beams.
Missouri State Archives Website
- October 15, 1915 - This photo shows the stone and brick work being completed on the front of the building. The stone used on the capitol was actually locally sourced from Carthage, Missouri.
Missouri State Archives Website
- June 1, 1916 - In mid-1916 most of the stonework on the exterior of the building had been completed. Workers were just beginning to construct the large dome.
Missouri State Archives Website
- December 1, 1916 - By late 1916, the capitol construction was almost complete. The interior of the capital was nearly finished and workers were putting the last few pieces of limestone in place.
Missouri State Archives Website
- Late 1916 - A worker inspects a limestone ornamental piece.
Missouri State Archives Website
- Nov. 1, 1916 - Construction was almost complete. This photo, looking south, shows workers adding the last pieces of stone to the dome. The done rises 238 feet and features a small viewing platform that is not normally accessible to the public.
Missouri State Archives Website
- Construction on the Missouri State Capitol building was completed in 1917. Today, visitors can tour this stunning and architecturally significant capitol building for free year round.
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Have you toured the Missouri State Capitol? Tell us about your visit in the comments below.
Missouri State Archives Website
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