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| NorthDakotaXL » Tourist attraction of North Dakota » North Dakota State Capitol
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North Dakota State Capitol |
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With a majestic presence amidst the lovely Prairies, the North Dakota State Capitol is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bismarck, the capital of North Dakota. This 19 story building has an impressive history for a past. Built during the Depression years, the North Dakota State Capitol building is located in the State Capitol complex, which houses the various arms of the North Dakota State government and the state legislative assembly. Surrounded by petunias that spell 'North Dakota', the State Capitol complex includes six major buildings, namely, the State Capitol building, the North Dakota State Office building, the North Dakota Heritage Center, the Liberty Memorial Building, the Department of Transportation and the North Dakota Governor's Residence. The Complex grounds host some important species of trees and plants, statues, memorials, gardens and trails.
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Completed in 1934, the State Capitol building replaced the old North Dakota State Capitol building, which was completely burnt in an accident on 28th December 1930. Two years later work began for the construction of the second and the present-day North Dakota State Capitol. With a resource crunch and frequent workers' strikes, much of the new design had to be restructured.
Today, the building stands tall at a height of 241 feet and 8 inches and is often called the “Skyscraper of the Prairie”. A drive through tunnel is located at its south wing, but since the 911, the tunnel is now open only for pedestrians. The complex is open to tourists and guided tours are available across the 132 acres of the Complex. Some of the major tourist sites are the Fountain Garden, the capitol's Judicial Wing, the Pioneer Family Statue, the Statue of Sakakawea, and the North Dakota Hall of Fame. Educational tours for school children are conducted on the Arboretum trail, the Prairie trail and the Capitol Park.
The North Dakota State Capitol building has special celebrations for Christmas and the New Year, when lights inside the building are switched on in such a way that they read the new year and in the shape of the Christmas tree. The lovely flowers and the Prairie grounds are a nice contrast to the otherwise impressive building. A delight for the eye!
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