Here are some of my views of the Capitol while I took a stroll around the grounds.
The immigration of thousands of “Forty-niners” in search of gold prompted California’s admission as the 31st state into the Union in 1850, thus creating the need for a state capital. California did not have a permanent seat of government until 1860. Cities vied for the opportunity to house the state capital for the power, prestige, and economic benefit that accompanied it. Four capitol buildings existed in other cities before Sacramento became the permanent site.
Even after Sacramento became the permanent seat of California’s government in 1854, there were several unsuccessful efforts to relocate the Capitol to Oakland (1858-59), San Jose (1875-78, 1893, 1903), Berkeley (1907), and Monterey (1933-41).
I asked a policeman on the grounds why the flags were flying at half-staff and he said he believes whenever a serviceman/woman from the state of California is killed in action they fly the flags at half staff.
The California State Capitol was in part modeled after the United States Capitol, which features a bronze statue of “Freedom” as its crowning ornament. Given the already marked resemblance between the two Capitols’ architecture, the absence of a statue on the California State Capitol was intended to distinguish the two buildings. In addition, the presence of a gold ball, reminiscent of a gold nugget, reminds visitors to the Capitol of California’s Gold Rush heritage.
I did not get a chance to go into the Capitol on this day. Being born and raised in California I was happy to finally visit the grounds.
My “crown” experience yesterday left me traumatized. I find it hard to bear to have my mouth numbed to the extent that my throat feels numbed also. Feeling like I’m choking makes me panic. I wanted to pull that “hold your mouth open device” out of my mouth and run. I didn’t. I persevered and didn’t completely lose it till I got home. I’m regaining my peace on the couch in my flannels with a blankie.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Beautiful pictures, Ellen! I like the symbolism of the gold ball.
I hope you feel better soon… nothing like lounging on the couch with a blankie to regain balance and peace in life. :0) Hugs to you.
A beautiful state capital. So stately!
Hope your unpleasant crown experience is soon a distant memory.
Your pictures are beautiful. Even the clouds are polka-dot pretty.
I just had a crown come off so I need to go back and have it put on again. Such a nuisance, this falling apart.
Jammie and blanket time is totally appropriate after crown work. Did you get some laughing gas during the procedure? Usually insurance won’t cover it, but I happily fork over about $35 to be breathing the stuff during dental work.
Can you imagine California with our capitol in Berkeley? The state is nutty enough being governed out of Sacramento…
Wonderful photos..Ellen! Thank you for sharing..I hope that feeling in your mouth has come back..
There are few things worse than going to the dentist, in my opinion. I have endured an unfortunate number of ‘crownings,’ so you have my complete and utter sympathy. Hope you’re feeling all better today!
Such beautiful photos, Ellen. The capitol building is certainly impressive.
Oh so sorry about the crown and how that experience made you feel. I find that the older I am getting the less I want someone in my mouth working on anything. I think that they’re going to have to provide some good meds in other ways or else I’m going to have to go under. Hope that your remedy at home wearing flannels and cuddling with a blankie has helped to soothe the ruffled nerves.