Carrabelle, FL
Since we're within about an hour or so of Tallahassee when we're at Ho-Hum RV Park in Carrabelle, we decided to make the drive and knock another State Capitol Building off our list. We did a little research before going and discovered the Old State Capitol is at the same location as the New State Capitol. Very convenient.
From a distance the grounds look like an office complex with an older ornate building plopped down in the middle of it all. That older building is the Old State Capitol and it dates from the 1840's, although it's been added onto and changed numerous times over the years. The surpising thing is that this historic building served as the State Capitol for well over 100 years, until the middle 1970's when the New State Capitol was built.
We toured the Old State Capitol first.
After the New State Capitol was completed in the mid 70's, there were plans to raze the old structure and create a courtyard for the new building. But some who felt strongly about preservation, like the then Secretary of State, refused to move out of the old building until they had assurances it would be preserved. Eventually, the preservationists won.
The Old State Capitol building has been accurately restored to the way it was in 1902. It's a handsome old thing that's not overly impressive in any single way, but taken altogether -- the design, architecture, restored or recreated furnishings, historic displays -- it tells a story of a struggling young State dealing with the difficulties of weather, spotty agriculture, slavery, civil war, and finding it's place in the Union of States. We spent a couple hours here and came away with new knowledge and a new understanding of Florida's roots.
Then we walked over to the New State Capitol, a complex of three interconnected modern buildings -- one of them a 22 story high-rise, built in a style called "New Classicism". I couldn't believe it. We've been to a number of the grand ornate Capitols of many other states, rich in art and symbolism, designed to impress, to tell the story of how the State was founded, to create a feeling of majesty and the power of the people. But this thing, the New Capitol, is just a pedestrian office building.
After going through security and gaining access to the main lobby, we found the information desk to ask what we should make sure to see... whether there were tours or at least a self-guided walking tour. Certainly there are some hidden gems in here somewhere. The gentleman that helped us was apologetic. He said "there's really not much to see here... it's just an office building... it's what the Governor (in the 70's) wanted." There is an enclosed observation deck on the 22nd level. And then there's the lobby with, well, a large version of the State Seal. You could get a glimpse of the House Chamber, through some windows, but the Senate Chambers were being used and behind additional security. It was a real disappointment. The good people of Florida deserve much more than this.
Our visit to the State Capitol of Florida is our 7th of the 50 States. With some planning, I think we'll have a chance to knock off a couple more before summer.
T
