Austin, Texas story
The Tallest Capitol in the South
Completed in 1888, the Texas State Capitol was designed to stand taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., showcasing Texas's signature grand ambition.
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Did you know Texas built its capitol building to literally look down on Washington, D.C.? It's no secret that Texans love to do things big, but in the 1880s, they took that pride to new heights. Between 1882 and 1888, architect Elijah E.
Myers oversaw the construction of a massive new Texas State Capitol here in Austin. When it was dedicated on May 16, 1888, the building stood at an impressive 302.64 feet tall, making it exactly 14.64 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol.
Now, there is a bit of a catch. This legendary height advantage depends entirely on how you measure. Texas claims its victory by measuring all the way to the tip of the star on the Goddess of Liberty, while the U.S.
Capitol is measured to the top of the Statue of Freedom. But whether you call it a clever technicality or classic Texas ambition, it's a towering reminder of a state that refuses to be overshadowed.
Updated June 2026