If you're a budget savvy traveller like me and Snowpea, visiting state Capitol buildings in America is a great thing to do. Not only are they free to visit, you also get to see some very nice architecture and understand more about America (if you're interested). On my visit to Utah, I visited the state capitol building in Salt Lake City.
We had driven 5 hours from Jackson Hole that morning, and when we arrived we running just on time for a scheduled guided tour that I had pre booked. We had to rush in and I didn't even have time to take a photo of the outside of the building. This was taken by my brother.
Honour Guards and staircase hoarding
My first impression of entering the building was the security measures, or rather the lack of it. I had a very interesting with the security guard about this, which I shall share at the end of this post, but let's take a tour around the state capitol building first.
On the day of my visit, there was an Honoring our Honour Guards annual event. They were there for most of the time I was visiting, occupying the Rotunda, the main hall in the building. It was very nice to see people appreciating those who fought for their own country and honouring those who never made it home. The event made a very nice backdrop for taking photos.
After the event finished lots of other visitors came out to take photos on the grand staircase on both ends of the building. On one end were a few girls in cosplay costumes, and on the other end was a couple taking wedding photos.
Both parties were hoarding the staircase forever, as if they owned it. I thought it was quite annoying because there were other visitors who wanted to take photos as well, plus it was getting very near to closing time. I had been loitering around by the wedding couple for 10 minutes but the photographer totally ignored me even when he wasn't taking any photos!! In the end, when the couple was standing on the stairs not doing anything when their photographer was setting up his kit, I asked if they could move aside so I could take this one shot which took me 30 seconds. Call me impolite but I could have just barged in and photobomed them, I don't think they would have liked that. Plus it's not like I'll be back soon, or ever, so it's now or never for my mandatory photo.
Stunning architecture
Thankfully the rest of the tour around the building was more pleasant. There are four floors and a lot of artwork and murals around the building. Sadly the artwork was wasted on me as I didn't know how to appreciate them. Other than that, the architecture was a feast to my eyes. Not that I know much about architecture either, but I was particularly impressed with the 165 ft high dome, and the walls and columns carved out from marble. And then there's the 1000 pound heavy Rotunda chandelier, so massive that it can clearly be seen at all levels. I wasn't expecting such grandeur from a state building, it pretty much blew me away. Snowpea and I were only passing through Salt Lake City for less than 24 hours, and we're very glad that we manage to fit this visit into our schedule.
Working offices
The state capitol building is where the Senate and the House meets. As I understand it, the senators serve the people, each of them representing one of the 29 districts in Utah. The House, on the other hand is responsible for making the laws for the state. This system is quite similar to the devolved governments we have in UK, eg Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have their own parliament and can make some local laws. Travelling is great when you can learn so much about other countries, and understand how similar or different they are from back home.
State Seal and 45 star American flag
This Utah state capitol building was completed in 1916, and as part of the centenary celebrations in 2016,the Utah State Seal was installed in the Hall of Governers on the first floor of the building. The year 1896 is of particular significance to Utah.
In the 'old days' every time a state joined the union, America would have a new flag. This is the 45 star flag from 1896 when Utah was the 45th state to join the United States of America. This particular flag is believed to be the first ever 45 star flag to fly. And yes, I counted, it does have 45 stars 😀. It was later replaced by the 46 star flag when Oklahoma joined the Union in 1908. It's fair to say this particular flag has it's place in history, particularly for Utah, and it's very fitting for it to have it's home at the state Capitol building.
State Capitol Building security
Remember at the beginning of the post I mentioned I had a chat with the security guard about the lack of security in the building?
Considering this is the state Capitol building, a government building where officials work and make important decisions, I was surprised that anybody could walk straight in, no searches and no questions asked. (By the way, you can walk in for a self guided tour anytime, no need to pre book.) There was an unmanned information desk, and one security guy sitting on one side of the building entrance who ended up being the information point for visitors. I had a chat with him, which given the recent event with Trump, becomes more interesting now.
"Why is there no security here?" I asked
"What sort of security were you expecting?" he asked me back
"Airport like security, bag searches?" I responded.
His answer is probably what non-Americans, especially us Brits find it rather difficult to apprehend. He said it is the given right of people of Utah to walk around with a weapon and not be challenged. And he said as a security officer, he carries his weapon even when off duty as part of his community duties at home. The guy didn't sound like one of those pro gun lunatics, in fact he was very friendly, and I sensed that if you live in a 'gun friendly' state and work in law enforcement, then you probably have a more tolerant and responsibility towards carrying and the use of a weapon. He then went on to tell me what else you can or can't take into them building. For example, you can't take a balloon in, nor a piece of stick , and even he knows that it sounds bizzare, in comparison to weapons.
Anyway, it was a very nice healthy chat, and it's always good to understand how the locals see things. I'm sure if this chat were to take place in another country, or even another state in America it would have taken another stance.
During my America trip in I went to another state Capitol building a week later. Architecture wise it was beautiful as well. I won't tell you which state it is yet but I'll give you a sneak preview until I make the post.
