In school, you learn the capital of all 50 states. You develop an understanding of the significance of a capital in general. However, there's more to Lincoln City, Nebraska, than just a headquarters for state officials to meet. It has a history and an interesting story as to why it's the capital of Nebraska and not Omaha.
Today, Lincoln is known for its themed gardens, zoo, and museum of art. It's home to the University of Nebraska and the Sunken Gardens. This wasn't always the case. Two hundred years ago, the city wasn't always "built up" like it is today, nor was it always intended to be the capital city. Omaha -- the largest city in Nebraska -- was originally designated as the capital city of Nebraska. Officials in 1867 determined that Lincoln -- the second largest city in Nebraska -- was more suitable as the capital due to its location, though. For those living south of The Platte River to reach
Omaha, they had to cross the river. Lincoln, on the other hand, was more easily accessible to all. While Lincoln officially became the capital, not everyone was in favor of the change. One legislator contested the move and suggested calling the city "Lincoln" to persuade lawmakers to vote against the location change. This, however, wasn't enough to change the minds of lawmakers. The capital took the name but has remained the capital of Nebraska ever since.
Throughout the years, Lincoln has grown tremendously. Initially, people came to Nebraska to the wild salt flats. Today, the city is a bustling place of commerce and culture. The Capitol building in Lincoln is the third-largest in the country, but this building wasn't always the one that stood in the city.
The first Capitol building in Lincoln was built between 1867 and 1868. This two-story building was constructed from limestone and featured a central cupola -- a small dome-shaped feature on top of a building. Unfortunately, the construction wasn't solid, which resulted in the building gradually crumbling.
The second Capitol building was completed in 1888 but suffered the same fate as the first due to its poor construction. The building that stands today was built in 1920 by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue. It consists of limestone with marble-column chambers.
Nebraska's capital and Capitol have an interesting history. It's worth venturing to the city to witness the breathtaking, 10-million-dollar building, and its unique architectural features. Although there was hesitancy about moving the capital, it's safe to say that few to none feel that way today.