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State Capitols
A Never-ending Hobby

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Favorites, Intriguing Interiors

     

California

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These great California interior images are used here courtesy of

Javame, Cecilia D. Hill.

    
     

The California capitol underwent an extensive restoration from 1976 to 1982. The building had been declared unsafe, and the decision was made to repair and restore it to its 1906 appearance.

The extensive renovation started with the removal of all decorations, inside and out, and much of the structure itself until it was just a shell. After the main elements of the structure were repaired, the rebuilding began.

The interior work required the use of nearly lost arts. Rediscovered artifacts were refurbished or replaced and old photos were used to guide the craftsmen who copied the lighting fixtures. Mosaic tiling, moulded ceilings, and hand carved wood features were reworked. An uncovered section of an original frieze was copied, re-applied throughout the area, and painted in the original colors.

Staircase
Here is an example of the hand carved wood and a pair of unusual lamps.

Staircase

 
 
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larger image


 
 
   Seahorse lamp

From the lamps pictured above, seahorses with wings!

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larger image

    

Ceiling
The two images below are of the ceiling in the House of Representatives.

Ceiling
 
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Ceiling detail
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A view from the rotunda
with more lamps and vintage
wall treatment.

Main corridor
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statecapitols.tigerleaf.com
Favorites, Intriguing Interiors, California (continued)

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The Inner Dome
viewed from the first floor of the rotunda.

Inner dome from rotunda

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Image at upper right shows two of the 16 panels that circle the dome. They are visible in both other inner dome pictures.

Image at lower right shows the inner dome at an angle. The wood railing at the bottom of the picture is on the second floor of the rotunda.

     
Dome wall panel

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Dome
wall panels


 
 
Upper rotunda

Upper Rotunda



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California interior images
courtesy of Javame, Cecilia D. Hill

 
More on California:
Telling Them Apart, Prominent Decorations
What's On Top, Cupolas (on domes)
Favorites, Nature
California Postcard & Image Gallery
Capital & Capitol History
Old & New Capitol Timeline

 

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Page Last Updated: May-02-2017

For complete image credits and information sources, see Credits & Sources.

Site Author: Valerie Mockaitis     ©2005-2017 Valerie Mockaitis