Vertical view, Louisiana State Capitol, Baton Rouge, Louisiana by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

The capitol building in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the tallest in the USA and is one of only a handful of state capitol buildings which does not imitate the Federal capitol in Washington DC. It is a steel frame skyscraper with Alabama limestone cladding and was finished in 1932 --- a brain-child and major project of then Senator (and ex-Governor) Huey P. Long. Being in the throes of the Great Depression at the time did little to slow this favorite project down!

The entry portico is over 50 feet high to seem in proportion to the height of the building and delightful limestone carvings illustrate the history, culture and aspirations of the Louisiana people. Four angels guard the corners at the top and a huge illuminated lantern, visible for miles in the flat terrain, symbolically portrays the legislature as a place of light and inspiration. The building is certainly in the Art-Deco realm, but with an Egyptian twist --- the treasures of King Tut's tomb were touring the USA shortly before its design and affected its decorations, and even, some say, its obelisk shape.