The Springfield Capitol Building is the 6th in Illinois state history since statehood in 1818. Built in the architectural styles of both Renaissance Revival and Second Empire, the 361 foot tall Capitol was completed in 1889 (20 years after ground was broken) for $4.5 million.The Capitol dome is covered in zinc to provide a silver-like facade which does not weather. The interior of the dome features a plaster frieze painted to resemble bronze, which illustrates scenes from Illinois history, and stained glass windows. The seal featured in the top of the dome is the seal used by the state of Illinois prior to the Civil War.
A city statute does not allow buildings to be built higher than the Capitol Building.
