The State House Story
The Indiana State House houses the seats of Government for the State of Indiana. This historical building, completed in 1888, is home to all executive offices, the Indiana State Senate, the Indiana House of Representatives, and the Indiana State Supreme Court, among others. The four-floors of the State House also contain both the House and Senate Chambers.
The story of the Indiana State House begins to Indianapolis's south, in Vincennes, the Indiana territory's first seat of government. As westward-bound settlers and supplies started to arrive in the territory via the Ohio River, territorial government was moved to Corydon, a short distance away.
Indiana became a state on December 11, 1816; Corydon remained the seat of government. The original State House, a 40-foot-square building, was made of Indiana limestone and still stands.
As more roads were built and settlement moved northward, a centrally located seat of government was needed. In January 1821 a site was selected and the city of Indianapolis was founded.
While the State House location has remained fixed since 1835, the original building no longer stands. The State House in use today replaced it in 1888. One hundred years later, in 1988, the State House was extensively renovated.
- A Center of Civic Life
- In Character with the Parthenon
- In Clear Arrangement
- The First One Hundred Years
- Restoration at its Best
- A Solid Foundation
Architecture
Made of Indiana limestone and designed in classical Renaissance Revival style, the architecture of the Indiana Statehouse was influenced by the national Capitol. As architecturally beautiful as it is functional, the interior is marked by a stained glass dome, marble floors and steps, granite columns, an ornate balcony, and period wall and ceiling designs. Flowering trees and shrubs as well as historic markers and monuments dot the Statehouse grounds.
