UTAH STATE CAPITOL - SALT LAKE CITY

Our 2011 Roadtrip started very early this morning. I had to wake up at 3:00 AM as we were departing for Oakland Airport at 4:00 AM. We arrived in Salt Lake City at about 9:30 local time (8:30 Pacific time). With time to burn before tonight's Pioneer League baseball game between the Orem Owlz (yes, it's pluralized with a "z" instead on an "s") and the Casper Ghosts, we stopped to visit Utah's State Capitol on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City.

Old City Hall, Salt Lake City

After picking up our rental car at the SLC airport, a silver Nissan Altima, we drove straight to Capitol Hill. We parked across the street from the Capitol Building at the historic Salt Lake City Council Hall which served as Salt Lake City's City Hall from 1866 to 1894. These days it's home to offices of the Utah Film Commission and the Utah Office of Tourism.

We looked around Old City Hall for a bit before stepping outside to take some photos of the State Capitol directly acress the street. Just before we walked over to the Capitol, we witnessed the  police pulling over a Jeep. I suspect it was for driving with excessive speed.

Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City

The State Capitol houses offices of the Governor, the Lieutenent Governor, the Utah Legislature, and the State Supreme Court. It was contructed from 1912-1916 and rennotated from 2004-2008. The floors are made of marbel and it's adorned with artwork depicting the early pioneer days of Utah, Mormon symbology, and statues of prominent figures in Utah history. These include Brigham Young, (former leader of the Mormon church, founder of Salt Lake City, and first governor of Utah Territory) and Philo Farnsworth (inventor of the television). It's a rather impressive building.

The "Suitcase" Bison in front of Old City Hall. It's decorated with
travel stickers from many of Utah's popular scenic attractions.

The Supreme Commander near Old City Hall's "International Bison." It bears the flags of
different ethnic groups that contributed to Utah's economic growth in its early days.

Maybe speeding in front of the Capitol wasn't such a good idea....

The State Capitol as seen from the sidewalk near Old City Hall.

The Supreme Commander on the steps in front of the Utah Capitol

A closer view of the Supreme Commander in front of the Capitol

Monument to the Mormon Battalion of the Mexican-American War.

Looking toward Old City Hall from the State Capitol

Utah is the "Beehive State." The hive is seen in many state signs and symbols.

A view of Salt Lake City from the State Capitol.

The grounds outside the State Capitol with snow peaked mountains in the background.

Another view of Salt Lake City from the State Capitol.

Interior of the ground floor facing the State Legislature's chambers.

Ground floor interior facing the State Supreme Court.

Looking up toward the Rotunda.

You saw the dome from the outside view. Here it is from the inside looking up.

Tourists or Terrorists? You decide.

A closer look at the entrance to the Legislature's chambers.

The Supreme Court

Brigham Young

A church and mountains as seen from the steps in front of the Capitol.

All this nice grass and nobody playing softball.

Another view of the Mormon Battalion monument

The Supreme Commander making her way down the Capitol's steps.