“Preserving 
  the Legacy”

History of Michigan’s Capitol

A mere 24 years after Michigan's new capital city was launched in the midst of a wilderness, Governor Henry P. Baldwin signed into law a $1.2 million appropriation by the Legislature to build a new Capitol. The date was March 31, 1871.

Less than a year later, January 21, 1872, Elijah E. Myers' design was accepted. Nehemiah Osborn and Co. of Rochester, NY, was chosen contractor. Myers went on to design many other buildings, including the state capitols of Colorado and Texas, the territorial capitol of Idaho, city halls in Grand Rapids. Omaha, and Richmond, Virginia, and Lansing's Central United Methodist Church, at the northeast comer of the Capitol Square.

The cornerstone was placed October 2, 1873, with a ceremonial celebration that attracted thousands to Lansing. Construction continued for five more years and formal dedication took place January 1.1879, with Governor Charles M. Croswell and five prior governors presiding. Quality construction was emphasized throughout, yet the project stayed close to budget.

The Michigan Capitol was placed on the National Register of Historic Places January 25, 1971, and subsequently given the distinguished status of National Historic landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior on October 5. 1992. The 1992 Honor Award of the National Trust for Historic Preservation was presented to Michigan for meeting two goals: accurate restoration and keeping the buildings role as the working seat of state government.

What’s Left To Do?