The Oklahoma State Capitol

We decided to visit and tour the Oklahoma State Capitol Building during our trip to Oklahoma City. I had toured the Texas capitol before, but had never been to Oklahoma's. We got to the beautiful Neoclassical buiding first thing in the morning, and had to spend some time exploring the grounds before the building itself opened to visitors! There's a small war memorial across the street, where a Native American man wearing a Vietnam War-era uniform looks across at the capitol dome. Native Americans have the highest rate of US military service (over five times the national average), and as Oklahoma has the country's largest percentage of Native Americans, it feels like a beautiful and fitting tribute.

the Oklahoma State Capitol building

Here's an interesting fact: the Oklahoma State Capitol Complex sits right atop one of the state's biggest oil wells, and it is the only state capitol in the country with active oil rigs on its grounds!

an oil rig memorial on the capitol grounds

The building was originally completed just a decade after statehood in 1917. Although the building was designed to have a dome, with the First World War raging, it was found that finishing the building would be just too expensive. The dome wasn't added until 2002.

As Long as the Waters Flow

A 22-foot bronze statue called "The Guardian" stands at the pinnacle of the capitol's dome. It was sculpted by Oklahoma artist and State Senator Enoch Kelly Haney, a member of the Seminole Nation (he also served as the Seminole Nation's Principal Chief). The Guardian carries a spear and a hide shield, the emblem of the state which appears on Oklahoma's flag. There's a smaller casting of The Guardian inside the capitol as well, so visitors are able to have a closer look at the statue.

The Guardian

The capitol is currently undergoing a massive renovation project. Parts of the building were closed off, or were under plastic tarps during the renovation, and we had to enter through a side door, as the front steps were being rebuilt. It is due to be finished sometime in the next year or two. In fact, because of the war, Oklahoma never had an official grand opening for its capitol. The grand opening ceremony will finally be held sometime next year, over a century after the building was completed!

the state seal

We poked our heads into the giftshop to ask when the next tour would begin. The gentleman working at the desk glanced at his watch and said "in about two seconds, if you're ready!" The Oklahoma capitol offers free tours to visitors, and taking a tour with one of the knowledgeable guides is a fantastic way to learn about the architecture and history of the capitol. This is especially valuable in Oklahoma, where the walls of the dome are covered in murals from the state's history! 

the dome of Oklahoma's capitol building is covered in colorful paint

Having a private guide to explain all of the art and to answer any questions we had about the murals or Oklahoma's history really made it a special experience.

Murals depict different aspects of Oklahoma's history and culture, from the Spanish conquistadors who marched through the area hundreds of years ago to the Trail of Tears and more. To Oklahoma's great credit, they don't shy away from or try to whitewash the more tragic aspects of the state's history. It seems like the state is trying to make amends for the past, and there are parts of the capitol's artwork which I really admired for that.

one of the new dome's colorful murals

Outside of the building is "The Meeting Place", a plaza monument dedicated to the state's recognized Native American tribes.

The Meeting Place

The flags of all 39 tribes and nations who have their headquarters in Oklahoma fly above The Meeting Place just outside of the capitol building. It's a really beautiful tribute.

I learned a little bit about Native American Nation flags. Some of them are really interesting! In fact, I might get around to writing a special Vexillology post sometime in the future... We'll see!

I want to give a huge thanks to our fantastic tour guide who gave us a wonderful free guided tour of the capitol building! We had a great time, and really enjoyed his stories of Oklahoma's interesting history.

Our guide also mentioned that if we wanted to do something weird in Oklahoma City, we should check out the American Pigeon Museum and the National Banjo Museum. He hadn't been to either, but did a good job of convincing us that the city does have a something of a fun, weird streak. It might not be quite as proudly weird as Austin, but it's got a cool modern culture of its own.

Unfortunately, we just didn't have enough time in Oklahoma City to see it all, but our guide invited us to come back and visit the capitol again in a year or two so that we can see it in its full glory after the restorations are finished and it finally has its much belated grand opening. I think I'd like to do that!