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West Virginia State Capitol




The West Virginia State Capitol is the state Capitol building of the U.S. State of West Virginia . Housing the West Virginia Legislature , it is located in the state capital of Charleston overlooking the Kanawha River . The building was completed in 1932 .


PREVIOUS CAPITOL

Settling on a state capital location proved to be difficult. For several years, the capital of West Virginia intermittently traveled between Wheeling and Charleston. In 1877 , however, state citizens voted on the final location of their capital. Charleston was chosen and eight years later, the first capitol building was opened. After a fire in 1921 , a hastily built structure was opened but burned down in 1927 .


CURRENT CAPITOL

A Capitol Building Commission, created by the Legislature in 1921, authorized construction of the present capitol. Architect Cass Gilbert designed the buff limestone structure that was to have a final cost of just under $10 million. After the three stages of construction were completed, Governor William G. Conley dedicated the capitol on June 20 , 1932.


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