South Dakota State Capitol

South Dakota State Capitol

Built between 1905 and 1910 Built between 1905 and 1910

Created by: Jill Kotalik

Outside the Capitol Building

• Here are two pictures of the Capitol Building, one from the front and one from the back. The Capitol Building faces towards the south.

•66 Italian artists laid the flooring

•Each artist was given a blue stone to call their signature stone

•Only 55 of the blue stones have been found

•Each case has a doll-like figure wearing a reproduction of the gown worn by the first lady on Inauguration night

•Each display notes the years the Governor was in office

Marble staircase leading to Second Floor

•Rotunda means under the dome•Distance from the rotunda floor to the top center black circle of the dome is 96 feet

Each corner of the Rotunda is a flag display. Each flag has special meaning or symbolism.

The solid yellow flag symbolizes the direction of South which is the direction from which the sun shines.

The solid red flag symbolizes the direction of East which is the direction of the rising sun.

The corner which displays the solid white flag represents the direction of North which is the direction from which snow comes. The center flag is the the United States flag and the blue flag with designs is the South Dakota State flag.

The solid black flag symbolizes the direction of West which symbolizes the direction from which thunder comes. The center blue flag is a replica of the original Dakota Territory Flag. The white flag with the blue center design is a 50th anniversary flag of Mount Rushmore.

•Chamber holds 70 Representatives

•Representatives have a 2 year term

•Representatives are elected in November of even numbered years

•Roll top desks in the House are made of oak wood

•In 1910 oak wood was less expensive

•35 members

•Senators serve a 2 year term

•Roll top desks are made of cherry wood

•Man made lake next to the Capitol Building

•Many visitors come to see and feed the birds and enjoy the beauty of the lake

Completed in 1936, the residence rests on the shores of Capitol Lake and overlooks the Capitol. The 18-room private residence of South Dakota's first family is not open to the public but visitors are welcome to drive by or walk along the south lawn which adjoins Capitol Lake.

William J. Janklow was born in Chicago. When his father died, the Janklow family moved to Flandreau, South Dakota. In 1960 he married Mary Dean Thom. William Janklow earned a law degree in 1966.

For more information on the South Dakota Capitol click here:

http://www.state.sd.us/state/capitol/capitol.html