Texas State Capitol opens to the public in Austin

Background. The Texas State Capitol is the fourth building to serve as the seat of government in Austin. Construction began in 1882 and concluded in 1888 under civil engineer Reuben Lindsay Walker. The structure, built in an Italian Renaissance Revival style, features a dome and local red granite exterior. It houses the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and the Governor.

Public Opening. The building was opened to the public on April 21, 1888, which coincided with San Jacinto Day. This occurred before the official dedication ceremony, which took place later in May 1888. The opening allowed public access to the structure, which had been funded by the sale of public lands authorized by the state constitution in 1876.

Legacy Data Correction. The legacy row states the building opened at a cost of $3 million. However, the supplied passages do not confirm this specific cost figure for the opening event or the total construction cost. The passages mention the Capitol Syndicate was paid with land, not cash, and do not state a $3 million construction cost. Therefore, the cost claim is unsupported by the provided evidence.