" Full Moon "

State Capitol

and State Office Bldg at night,

Albany, N. Y.

The Grand Staircase, State Capitol, Albany

The Capitol of the Empire State, the seat of government for more than 10,000,000 people, the largest population by far of any state in the Union.  The ground for this building first broken December 9th, 1867, and the cornerstone was laid June 24th, 1871, and completed as it stands today in 1898, at a cost of nearly $25,000,000.  It is a gigantic structure, 300 feet north and south and 400 feet east and west covering an area of 3 acres, and is 155 feet above the river.  It is constructed of gray Maine granite, with red capped towers, and the sub-base extends down 19 feet, 4 inches, and contains 735,000 cubic feet of stone.  This base is divided into 144 different compartments used for heating, storage and ventilation purposes.  It contains the western staircase, which alone cost nearly $2,000,000 and is the most beautiful staircase in the world.  It is considered one of the most remarkable buildings in the country.