California — Observation Decks, Dome, Cupola

Dome
California's copper-sheathed dome was restored along with many parts of the building around 1980, so for a short time it was copper-colored again. It was probably green before it reached its current black finish. That is the typical aging process for copper, but remember, not all green domes are copper!

Ornamentation
The California capitol is lavishly decorated. The original plans called for the ornamentation to be done in granite ashlar, but the final decision by the Capitol Commission was for everything above the first floor to be covered in mastic instead, with the ornamentation to be done in cast-iron. The detail image above is from the upper drum section in the photo at right.

images courtesy of Byron Tilly

from lower drum section

Cupola
More decorative detailing is found on the cupola. The columns are as ornate as those on the lower drum section.

Cupola Roof and Ball Tip
The cupola roof is gold-plated and topped with a 30-inch diameter, gold-plated ball tip.

Drum
The drum under the dome on this capitol is so tall that it caused quite some controversy over the design. The architect won the debate.

The dome itself is 32 feet tall, the cupola on top with its amazing roof is 55 feet in height, and the drum below is a whopping 75 feet. Compared to the 70-foot height of the building's front wall and the 18 feet of mansard roof above that, the drum is immense. (The whole front is pictured on the Telling Them Apart page linked below.)

This capitol is a 'What's On Top Extravaganza!' The detailing on the drum, a few of the statues encircling the dome, and a finial on top of one of the turret roofs all are worth noting in the image below. Then there is the cupola pictured at right, with its intricate roof. Believe it or not, there also used to be a statue on top of the cupola. (See Favorites, Statues)

image courtesy of
David Lingner (San Diego, CA)
through a Creative Commons License

Statues
There are twelve statues around the gilded dome, two matching sets of 6 with the matching pairs on opposite sides. They represent Agriculture, Commerce, Education/Law, Force/War, Science/Justice, and Music.

The original plan called for one statue representing each of the original thirteen colonies with Connecticut's on top of the cupola. Finances were strained due to the immensity of the project and some misfortunes, so this less expensive plan was made. Connecticut's own statue was in place on the very top until 1938. (See Favorites, Statues)

Cupola
image courtesy of
David Lingner
(San Diego, CA)
through a Creative Commons License

 

Statues
image used by permission of the State of Connecticut

image courtesy of
Galen R. Frysinger

Dome
The Massachusetts state house dome was originally constructed entirely of wood, including being covered with wood shingles. To prevent leaks, it was sheathed in copper by Paul Revere's company, and many years later it was gilded. For a while during World War II it wore yet another look; it was painted gray to disguise its true identity, a building of national importance.

image courtesy of
Della M. Huff

Pine Cone
At the very top of this capitol is a gilded pine cone. It was chosen to represent the abundant forests that made survival possible for the early settlers.