73473-sb1-41.tif
"The Old Capitol. Authority to erect a state building was passed by the legislature in 1833 and a sum of $95,000 was set to be expended for that purpose. John Lawrence, was the first architect, starting construction 1834. He was replaced by Wm. Nichols, 1835. Additional appropriations of $247,000 were eventually spent before the building was completed in 1840. Most of the materials used were of local origin. The stone of the facade and the corridors was quarried nearby and the heavy timbers and wood work were secured in Hinds County as was the brick. During the years that the state government was here it's halls and corridors resounded to the voices of many great personages, among whom were General Andrew Jackson; Henry Clay; Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot; Jefferson Davis, on his return from the Mexican War and and a visit after the War Between States; Prentiss, great orator of his day and others. From it twice a chief executive of the state was elected at the point of bayonets. It housed the 'Black and Tan' convention, the second of a trilogy beginning with the secessional convention and ending with the constitutional convention of 1890, which was the real conclusion of the 'Revolution of 1875.' It's rich history came to an apparent ending in 1903 when the New Capitol was completed and the state government moved to the new building - the Old Capitol being left to the doubtful hands and mercies of vandals and the weather. Public opinion becoming more and more insistent complete repairs were finally authorized in 1916 and as the New Capitol was becoming overcrowded many of the offices were moved into the building, the principal ones now (1936) being Adjutant General's Office, Agriculture and Commerce, Banking, Blind Commission, Department of Education, Board of Health, Insurance Commission, Livestock Sanitary Board, and Plant Board."
Read More
"The Old Capitol. Authority to erect a state building was passed by the legislature in 1833 and a sum of $95,000 was set to be expended for that purpose. John Lawrence, was the first architect, starting construction 1834. He was replaced by Wm. Nichols, 1835. Additional appropriations of $247,000 were eventually spent before the building was completed in 1840. Most of the materials used were of local origin. The stone of the facade and the corridors was quarried nearby and the heavy timbers and wood work were secured in Hinds County as was the brick. During the years that the state government was here it's halls and corridors resounded to the voices of many great personages, among whom were General Andrew Jackson; Henry Clay; Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot; Jefferson Davis, on his return from the Mexican War and and a visit after the War Between States; Prentiss, great orator of his day and others. From it twice a chief executive of the state was elected at the point of bayonets. It housed the 'Black and Tan' convention, the second of a trilogy beginning with the secessional convention and ending with the constitutional convention of 1890, which was the real conclusion of the 'Revolution of 1875.' It's rich history came to an apparent ending in 1903 when the New Capitol was completed and the state government moved to the new building - the Old Capitol being left to the doubtful hands and mercies of vandals and the weather. Public opinion becoming more and more insistent complete repairs were finally authorized in 1916 and as the New Capitol was becoming overcrowded many of the offices were moved into the building, the principal ones now (1936) being Adjutant General's Office, Agriculture and Commerce, Banking, Blind Commission, Department of Education, Board of Health, Insurance Commission, Livestock Sanitary Board, and Plant Board."
Details
- Title: Pictorial History, South Mississippi … WPA Mississippi Historical Research Project, 1936-1937
- Description: "The Old Capitol. Authority to erect a state building was passed by the legislature in 1833 and a sum of $95,000 was set to be expended for that purpose. John Lawrence, was the first architect, starting construction 1834. He was replaced by Wm. Nichols, 1835. Additional appropriations of $247,000 were eventually spent before the building was completed in 1840. Most of the materials used were of local origin. The stone of the facade and the corridors was quarried nearby and the heavy timbers and wood work were secured in Hinds County as was the brick. During the years that the state government was here it's halls and corridors resounded to the voices of many great personages, among whom were General Andrew Jackson; Henry Clay; Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot; Jefferson Davis, on his return from the Mexican War and and a visit after the War Between States; Prentiss, great orator of his day and others. From it twice a chief executive of the state was elected at the point of bayonets. It housed the 'Black and Tan' convention, the second of a trilogy beginning with the secessional convention and ending with the constitutional convention of 1890, which was the real conclusion of the 'Revolution of 1875.' It's rich history came to an apparent ending in 1903 when the New Capitol was completed and the state government moved to the new building - the Old Capitol being left to the doubtful hands and mercies of vandals and the weather. Public opinion becoming more and more insistent complete repairs were finally authorized in 1916 and as the New Capitol was becoming overcrowded many of the offices were moved into the building, the principal ones now (1936) being Adjutant General's Office, Agriculture and Commerce, Banking, Blind Commission, Department of Education, Board of Health, Insurance Commission, Livestock Sanitary Board, and Plant Board."
- Call Number: Series 0443
- Filename: 73473-sb1-41.tif