![]() The west facade of the new statehouse can be seen behind the 2-story public offices building. The cornerstone contains numerous documents, newspapers and other items of value. 50 entries from architects and artists around the country were received, and the winner was awarded to Henry Walter of Cincinnati.Ĭonstruction actively began on Jwith the ceremonial laying of the cornerstone on the northeast corner of the statehouse. In 1838 the government announced a design competition to decide how the new government building would look. The current statehouse began with a contest! Court House and in the following years, both houses met in the Neil House where they met until the new Statehouse was open for occupancy in the winter of 1856 - 57. The House of Representatives met in the Neil Hotel across the street. ![]() The 12' tall fence surrounding the new statehouse construction project were extended to include the empty lot left from the fire. Later that spring, the remains of the building were removed and the foundation filled in. Furniture in the Senate Chambers were completely destroyed. Before the fire consumed the entire building, much of the furniture from the House of Representatives was rescued. The cause of the fire was never determined. Soon the entire belfry went up in flames and soon the entire building collapsed. Although this fire was extinguished, it became apparent that the fire had already extended into the roofing timbers and it quickly became impossible to control. The fire was first noticed at the center of the Senate chamber. In 1852 during the early hours of a Sunday morning in February, a fire broke out in the statehouse. There were also large wooden columns that were painted to look like marble. The Senate Chamber was located on the 2nd floor with a gallery for public viewing and the House of Representatives was on the first floor in the northern end of the building. The main entrance was through the southern door on the State Street side. ![]() It was two-stories tall with a mansard roof with a balcony and steeple in the center which is said to have had a fine view of the winding Scioto River. The capital building was 75 along the High Street side and 50 feet along the State Street side. The brick used in the construction was made from the clay that was used in the construction of the large Hopewell Mound that was located at what is today the intersection of South High and Mound Streets. Much of the free stone used in the construction was carted from Black Lick some 12 miles east through swamps and mud. The first statehouse in Columbus was located on the southwest corner of the Public Square. It was their foresight and willingness to sacrifice a small portion of the land for the new Statehouse, that helped Ohio General Assembly to finally decide to build the new Capitol Building here and not some of the other locations being suggested. When most of these refugees sold off their interests in the area, Kerr, Starling, Johnston and McLaughlin were able to purchase much of the land in the area. Although the east side of the river was better suited for settlement, that land was reserved for refugees from Nova Scotia. All the development had been on the west side of the river where Lucas Sullivant had formed Franklinton. At the time there was almost no development of the land on the east side of the Scioto River. The Ohio Statehouse is situated on a 10-acre parcel of land donated by John Kerr, Lyne Starling, John Johnston and Alexander McLaughlin-four prominent landholders from across the river in Franklinton.
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