The Capitol

Symbol of a Nation

Library of Congress Photo Collection, July 1861. — U.S. Capitol, Intersection of North, South, & East Capitol Streets & Capitol Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, DC https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/dc0253.photos.025930p/

The United States Capitol building is one of the most impressive architectural structures of the nation’s brief history.

According to the Architect of the Capitol website, the Capitol’s dome was designed by Thomas Ustic Walter and constructed between 1856 and 1866. President Millard Fillmore approved work on the cast-iron dome, which cost $1,047,291.00 to complete.

Construction work was suspended during the Civil War and resumed at the urging of President Abraham Lincoln. Although the construction costs were expensive, Lincoln believed that continued work on the Capitol would signify to the American people that the union of the nation would continue.

Sources Consulted:

U.S. Capitol Building | Architect of the Capitol (aoc.gov)

Abraham Lincoln and the U.S. Capitol (abrahamlincolnonline.org)