Shortly after Christmas 1901, a news article pondered whether Kentucky’s legislators would finally “erect at Frankfort buildings which will be a credit, instead of a disgrace, to Kentucky.” The State Capitol Building was criticized as too small (among other faults), and the Governor’s mansion had been severely damaged by fire in 1899.* Lexington and Louisville leaders argued that the capital should be moved to their cities, so state lawmakers were finally forced to take action – choosing a new site for new buildings on a gentle rise to a plateau within South Frankfort (on the opposite side of the river from the existing capitol buildings). Construction of the capitol building took precedence, and a new home for the governor followed.
Undated postcard of the new capitol building in Frankfort, Kentucky. Image from the Postcard Collection at the University of Kentucky.
Groundbreaking on the capitol building, designed by architect Frank Mills Andrews, began in 1904, and the building was completed in 1910.
Scaffolding wraps the Capitol’s distinctive dome. A total of $26.5 million has been appropriated and approved by the General Assembly for all repairs and renovations to the State Capitol building, inside and out.
Two years after the completion of the new capitol building, the General Assembly appropriated $75,000 to build the governor a new residence.
The Kentucky Governor’s Mansion, decked for the holidays. Photograph by Patrick Kennedy.
The Beaux-Arts mansion was designed by the firm of C.C. and E.A. Weber of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and is on the eastern border of the capitol grounds. The parcel previously belonged to a Frankfort attorney, L.F. Johnson, and was purchased for $9,500.00. Ground was broken for the home of the state’s chief executive in July 1912.
The brick building, clad in Bowling Green limestone, rests on a foundation of brick, stone, and concrete. A two-story portico with Ionic columns extends out over the three central bays of the facade. The mansion was completed for around $62,000.
Undated postcard of the facade and side elevation of the Kentucky Governor’s Mansion. Image from the Postcard Collection at the University of Kentucky.
When I lived in Frankfort, strolling the grounds of the Capitol with my dogs was a daily occurrence. While I might have been more interested in the expanse of grassy lawn, the stately, classically inspired buildings were a more than palatable backdrop to my dog walking. I think a century plus has shown that these buildings are indeed a credit to the Commonwealth.
*The Old Capitol, designed by Gideon Shryock (built between1827-1830) and its Annex (1869-1871) still stand on Broadway in downtown Frankfort, Kentucky. The Old Capitol is a National Historic Landmark. It has been a museum since 1920.
The Old Governor’s Mansion, a Federal style building on High Street in Frankfort, is also still extant.
Undated postcard of the Old Capitol Building and its Annex.
I so love the original building, small as it is. I live in NH now and the original building which accommodates a huge number of representatives (400) in downtown Concord is still used for the legislature. A building for most committee meetings was built behind it. It has kept downtown Concord a viable, energetic place to shop and eat. Those advantages left Frankfort’s downtown, sadly.
When was the original Capital torn down? I have a memory of visiting the old Capital and getting to see fascinating artifacts arrayed in seats and tiers of an old assembly room. A piece of tree reputed to have carved by Daniel Boone, “I kilt a bar.” Numerous side saddles, stuffed animals, and long guns. The curator delighted in showing us the bloodstained long underwear of assassinated Gov Goebel.
Kenney, it’s still there and a museum. I added a little blurb about it at the end of the post after I saw your comment!
They did a great job designing and building these fine structures. I only with the rest of Frankfort would have followed this ideal.
Two of Kentuckys outstanding buildings. I especially like the use of the Warren Co. Oolite in the Gov Mansion. Unfortunately a source does not survive which makes repairs using the Indiana material a really bad match which you can clearly see in our Fayette County Courthouse.