Delayed Nov. 6 Log Day 76 Oklahoma City, OK
We liked Oklahoma's Capitol Building (Picture 1) so much we "accidentally" went for our second visit in the last couple of years. (Actually, Dean planned this trip, and I unthinkingly followed his itinerary.) As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, I realized that we'd been here before, and I vividly remembered it. Both times we went around in circles--literally--trying to find the entrance to the parking lot. That triggered my memory, and when I saw Petunia #1, the oil well in front of the capitol, I knew for sure. It was named because it was sunk 660' under the governor's petunias. However, they found cracks in the Capitol's foundation and shut it down in 1956, despite the fact there is a huge pool of oil there, worth billions of dollars.
The flag (Picture 2) was flying straight out in the breeze, showing the Osage shield covered by a calumet (peace pipe) representing Native Americans, and the olive branch representing European Americans. It has 6 brown crosses, which are the Native American symbols of stars, on the shield. The large blue background represents the first official flag flown by any Native American Nation, the Choctaw flag of the American Civil War.
This was an opportunity to see how much I remembered. Many of my memories were right on; some were absent; some were incorrect. On the outside of the capitols are two lions (I remembered them as griffins) who stand for strength, peace, and integrity. Atop the Capitol is the 3-ton statue, "The Guardian." He represents all the Indians who walked the Trail of Tears and all the Indians in Oklahoma, the survivors of the Dust Bowl, floods, storms, and tornadoes and the Oklahomans who have died in the service of their country. Oklahoma does the best job of any state at paying tribute to the Native Americans, whose land the Europeans stole through armed aggression and treaties that they never kept. However, there are times when they, too, are insensitive and clueless, in my opinion.
Oklahoma was part of the Louisiana Purchase. The U. S. paid 4 cents per acre. I think the original territorial capitol was in Guthrie. The legislators noticed that the railroads were crossing in Oklahoma City. They had an election to decide whether to move the capitol or not. The state attorney general knew it was going to be a landslide for Oklahoma City, so he dispatched three men to get the Constitution. They came dressed as laundrymen, stole it, and walked out with it in a laundry bag. To this day, there is animosity over OKC "stealing" the state's Constitution.
When the Capitol was built, the legislature only allocated enough funds to build 3 floors because of budget constraints caused by WWI. By eliminating the dome that the architect had planned, they saved $1,000,000 and were able to build all six floors. They added the dome in 2001. (Picture 3) It was supposed to be paid for entirely by contributions, and they had pledges for the total amount. However, some of the pledgers suffered business reverses, and the state did pick up $2 million of the $21 million tab.
The state seal is the center part of the dome. (Picture 4) It was added in the lobby's floor in 1996. (Picture 5) Each ray of the seal's five-pointed star represents one of the Five Civilized Tribes, the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, Creek, and Cherokee Nations. All of them lived in Southeastern U. S. before their forced relocation. They were called "civilized" by white settlers because they lived in European style settlements as farmers. How insensitive! There were 61 other tribes residing in Oklahoma at the time the seal was adopted. Were they "uncivilized?" The state motto, "Labor Conquers All," is written in Latin with a green wreath. In the center of the star, figures symbolizing Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory (Eastern Oklahoma) "joining" together to form the state of Oklahoma. The Indian territorial governments of the "Civilized Tribes" had 3 branches and were modeled on ours. They had good relations with the white settlers.
In the Hall of Governors, (Picture 6) they have busts of all their governors and my favorite painting. You "read" it like a timeline from left to right. It starts with dust and storms and progresses to their nationally-famous medical center and the astronauts from Oklahoma to a prediction of what the future holds. You can see it at the end of the row of statues, but not in sufficient clarity to enjoy all of its symbolism.
I think Oklahoma has perhaps the most striking Supreme Court courtroom in the nation (Picture 7). It is spacious, full of meaning, and is beautiful. It was repainted in 1997 for only $7,700. I especially enjoyed the plaster-of-Paris rosettes in the ceiling and their original light (Picture 8).
There were 5 territorial justices originally. They complained of being overworked so they added 4 more to equal 9, just like the U. S. Supreme Court. They are APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH NO NEED FOR RATIFICATION BY ANYONE! They do have to be re-confirmed every 6 years, but that has never happened. However, two have resigned after charges of bribery were laid. Recently, they have moved across the street to the historic state offices. They are unusual in that they only handle civil cases. The Court of Criminal Appeals is the court of last resort in criminal matters. On our next trip, I want to see their new digs.
In the Senate there are 32 Republicans and 16 Democrats. In the House it is just as lopsided. There are 70 Republicans and 31 Democrats. The governor, Mary Fallin, is a Republican. Oklahoma is definitely a "red" state.
In 1993, a $1.5 million restoration (as much as the original construction of the whole building cost) of the Capitol was done. They removed paneling, dropped ceiling, some doors, and such discoveries were made. They found elegant architectural details.
The House Chamber (Picture 9) is much more elaborate than the Senate (Picture 10). Some of the restoration work involved adding features that were on the original plans but never happened because they were too costly. They used 20 gallons of gold paint with gold leaf in it. The old-fashioned fans along the wall are original and still work (there's a lot of hot air in there!) Each fan has the state seal in the center of its grille. Of course, they have AC. All bills about budgets and taxes have to originate in the House of Representatives.
Three pieces of the stained glass skylight panels from the Senate were found in the attic, and the company which made them still had the 1917 work order and was able to replicate them. (Picture 11) Light now filters through windows which were sealed in the 30's. A story says that an overeager reporter climbed onto the roof outside the Senate to eavesdrop, so they sealed them.
There are many wonderful works of art throughout the Capitol. The oils, architecture, and statues would rival works in many excellent art museums. "Flight of Spirit," painted by a Chickasaw celebrates five world-famous Oklahoma Indian prima ballerinas, and it is beautiful. It demands your attention, even from far away across the rotunda.
Oklahoma City is a "Don't Miss" Capitol.
Staying at Council Road RV Park, $31.50, FHU, 50 amps, lots of potholes on interior roads, friendly manager
