Tallahassee: Roaming the Capitol(s) in the Capital

Wednesday, 2 January
Beaver Lake Campground — Quincy, Florida
Temps: Lo 58F / Hi 69F (14C / 21C)

For a campground that is just off the freeway, Beaver Lake provided a quiet, restful night’s sleep.  Despite the overcast skies and dropping temps (the day’s high was at 5:00a), we proceeded with our plans to explore downtown Tallahassee, the capital of our adopted state.  It was an easy 20-mile (32 km) drive to backtrack from Quincy on I-10 East.

(Most photos in B&W in keeping with the day’s dreary, blah light conditions.)

First stop, the visitor center downtown, where the friendly volunteer gave us maps and information about the Capitol Complex, named a few restaurants when we asked for suggestions, and directed us to the nearest parking at Kleman Plaza — budget friendly at $3.50 for five hours.

The parking structure is underground; pedestrian entrance is beneath the domed structure.

The area around the Capitol Complex was surprisingly deserted for a work day.  I guess that’s what happens when the Legislature is not in session.  We were happy to have the sites we visited to ourselves.  In fact, except for an extended family that we kept crossing paths with, we didn’t encounter any other visitors.

Our first stop was the 22-story Capitol Tower, flanked by the domed House and Senate chambers.  Constructed behind the more traditional Historic Capitol, the first legislative session was held here in 1978.  Even though it was a dreary day, our goal visiting here was to check out the city views from the observatory/art gallery (free).  Inviting us to “Roam freely, you can’t go anywhere we don’t want you to go,” the attendant at the info booth encouraged us to also check out the House and Senate chambers on the 5th floor, as well as the state seal on the 2nd floor.

Visitors to the tower are welcomed by dolphins playing in the fountains on the plaza.

Looking back at the Florida Supreme Court from the tower plaza.

Two of several murals that can be found around the Capitol Tower; these are in the lobby.

Tallahassee doesn’t have much of a skyline, so the views were disappointing … especially on an overcast day.  But our trip up to the 22nd floor yielded photo ops in the art gallery.

Clockwise from Top Left:
Conquistadores; Final Boarding Call; Raices (Roots); and Return to Picnic Island

Clockwise from Top Left:
The Great State of Florida; The Knappers; Ponce de Leon Landing; and Connections

Although we stopped off to check out the House and Senate chambers on the 5th floor, we could only view them through glass paneling.  The dim-to-dark light inside the rooms was not conducive to photography, so we didn’t dally long there.

Our next stop was the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, housed in the old Capitol.  (Free; donations appreciated.)  Located a few steps from the back entrance of the Tower, we didn’t have to go far to get to it.

With its cupola and dome, the Historic Capitol is more charming than the
new building rising into the sky behind it.

The building was constructed in 1845, just before Florida entered the Union as the 27th state.  Slated for demolition after the Capitol Tower was built, it was saved through actions of the citizens and was restored to its 1902 appearance.  In addition to the House and Senate chambers, the Supreme Court was also located here.

The museum staff was busy taking down the holiday decorations, but willingly answered a few questions before we set out to explore the building on our own.

Several of the old offices house exhibits on Florida’s legislative history;
One room has a small theater where a brief video welcomes visitors.

Governor Jenkins (#18 – 1901-1905) was not in, but we stopped by and peeked into the
stenographer’s and secretary’s area (top left) as well as the governor’s private office.
(Between the two was the Cabinet Room.)

A small glass case displays some of the items found in the 1970s when the foundation
for the new Capitol was excavated; additional artifacts surfaced during the
archeological survey of the Historic capitol in 1979.

It’s easy to step back in time at the Historic Capitol Building.

House of Representatives Chamber

Senate Chamber

Added in 1902, the artglass dome almost immediately started leaking.  by 1923, it was removed and
replaced with a frosted glass skylight.  During the restoration of the building, one hundred
pounds of stained glass used in the original artglass dome was discovered inside one of the walls.
(Photo on the left is dead center from the first floor; looking at the dome from a
slightly angled perspective on the second floor reveals changes in the colors.)

Our self-guided tour complete, we took a meandering path to the restaurant recommended by the staffer at the visitor center.  Along the way, we found more opportunities to click the shutter.

The Vietnam War Memorial consists of two granite columns with the American flag
suspended between them.  On the columns are engraved the names of 1,942
Vietnam War dead and 83 men listed as missing in action.

The Leon County WWII Memorial is installed in front of the courthouse.
The bench is inscribed with the words: "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This.
That a Man Lay Down His Life for His Country."

Also in front of the Leon County Courthouse is a memorial inscribed with the words:
“In memory of those killed on Florida roadways by drunk drivers.”

Even though it was a dreary day, with our layers keeping us warm, we opted to dine al fresco at Capital Andrew’s Bar & Grill.  We weren’t the only crazy ones eating on the patio — the family that dogged our trail at the Capitol Complex were there as well.

From the website Andrew’s looks like a happening kind of place, but with the Legislature on vacation, it was a place to enjoy a quiet meal today.  We both enjoyed our selections —  Bring it Home to "Jerome" Falafel Burger (on grilled naan) for me; "Jimmy the Greek" Zesty Mediterranean Salad (romaine lettuce, artichokes, peppadew, black olives, garbanzos, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, red peppers, pita crisps, feta vinaigrette, with grilled chicken) for Mui.

We wrap up our day of sightseeing with a nice meal at Andrew’s.

It was 3:00p by the time we picked up the car from the parking garage to head home.  But first we had one errand to run — pick up our membership cards from the local Sam’s Club.  The bonus — a military benefit that keeps on giving every time we renew … a $15 gift card … which we promptly used to top off the toad for $3.17/gallon … such a deal!

We arrived at Beaver Lake to find a full house in our section of the campground with several Class A big rigs and a couple of small RVs joining us for the night.  No one can say this place isn’t popular with overnighters.

Tomorrow we continue heading west.