Then and Now: July/August 2011

This Month's Statehouse Photo

The detail photo in the July/August 2011 issue of State Legislatures is of the Alabama Capitol in Montgomery, Ala.

A state since 1817, Alabama had four capital cities before settling on Montgomery in 1846. The capitol is in the Greek Revival style, and is known for its distinctive spiral staircase. The rotunda is decorated with painted murals depicting Alabama's history. Additions were made to the original building in 1885, 1906, 1911 and 1992.

25 Years Ago

Articles from the July and August 1986 issues of State Legislatures:

• REINVENTING THE LEGISLATURE “State legislatures have changed and progressed more than any other governmental institution over the past 20 years.”
• IS THE CITIZEN LEGISLATOR BECOMING EXTINCT? “The full-time, professional politician is replacing the citizen lawmaker. …But whether better laws are being passed is the subject of much debate.”
• HIGH-TECH CAMPAIGNING “Personal computers are making it possible for state-level politicians to wage efficient, well-run campaigns.” 

Did You Know?

The 1888 Texas Capitol is the largest in square footage of all state capitols and is second in total size only to the national Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Texas House chamber, at 95 feet by 137 feet, is the largest chamber in the country. Restored to its 1909 appearance, it contains some of the Capitol’s most valued historical artifacts. 

—From the Texas State Preservation Board, “The American Statehouse: Interpreting Democracy’s Temples” by Charles Goodsell, 
 and “Fifty State Capitols: The Architecture of Representative Government,” by Jim Stembridge