PUBLIC CORRIDORS

The rotunda and five levels of public corridors are often the main areas seen and used by the hundreds of thousands of visitors the Capitol receives each year. Massive and elaborate classical ornamentation can be found throughout the corrdiors including the beautifully carved woodwork, plaster moldings, cast iron columns, stairways and double-acid etched windows and transoms. The original geometric encaustic tile flooring was replaced beginning in 1936 with patterned terrazzo. Reproduction encaustic tiles were placed in the second and third floor back halls during the restoration project as a representation of the early floor. Historical Texas artwork including the collection of paintings depicting the presidents of the Republic and governors of the State of Texas and the legislative composites are featured in the corridors.