Phases and Timeline
In response to the competition requirement that the new Capitol be built in a fiscally responsible manner, Bertram Goodhue’s “cross within square” floor plan allowed construction to begin around the old Capitol while still occupied, and workers still conducting state business. After the north and south sections of the outer square of the new building were constructed around the old, the offices were moved into the new and the old demolished. The second construction phase included the east side of the square and the north, south and east arms of the cross. Third phase construction completed the tower. In the final phase, workers finished the remaining west arm of the cross, completing the building in 1932 after ten years of construction. When landscaping was completed in 1934, the Capitol was fully paid for at a cost of $9.8 million.
Timeline of Capitol Commission and Construction Activity:
- February, 1919 Legislature passed Bill to create Capitol Commission and fund Capitol Construction
- June, 1919 Capitol Commission hires T.R. Kimball as architectural adviser
- December, 1919 Preliminary Competition identifies three Nebraska architects for Final Competition
- June, 1920 Judgement of Final Competition, Jury choses Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue
- November, 1920 Commission signs contract with Architect
- April 15, 1922 Groundbreaking for new Capitol by Governor Samuel R. McKelvie
- April, 1922 First contract awarded to W.J. Assenmacher Co. for the excavation of the site and laying of foundation.
- July, 1922 Contract awarded to J.H. Weise Co. for first phase superstructure construction (north and south sections of square base)
- November 11, 1922 Cornerstone laid with American Legion participating
- April 24, 1924 Death of architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue
- November, 1924 Contract signed with Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue Associates for continuance of architectural work
- December, 1924 State offices moved from old building to newly completed outer square of new building
- March 1925 Contracts awarded to J.H. Weise Co. for demolition of old Capitol
- April 1925 Contracts for second construction phase awarded to J.H. Weise Co. (east side, east, north and south arms of cross, and base of tower)
- February 1928 Contracts for third phase construction (tower) awarded to Peter Kiewit Sons Co.
- April 24, 1930 “The Sower” was raised to the top of the Capitol
- June 1930 Contracts awarded to W. J. Assenmacher Co. for the fourth phase of construction
- August, 1931 Contracts awarded for grounds lighting
- September, 1931 Contracts awarded for landscape excavating, grading and concrete work
- January, 1932 Contracts awarded for Furnishings including furniture and floor covering
- April, 1932 Contracts awarded for Lamp Posts
- May, 1932 Contracts awarded for sodding of the grounds
- February, 1934 Contracts awarded for planting trees and shrubs on Capitol grounds
List of Expenses 1919 – 1934
- Architectural Expenses $452,074.68
- Capitol Commission Expenses 40,421.88
- Inspection Expenses 120,585.32
- Miscellaneous Expense Items 539,787.00
- Furnishings and Decorations 537,579.36
- First Construction 2,562,917.62
- Wrecking Old Building 49,642.81
- Second Construction 3,015,460.20
- Third Construction 1,487,309.74
- Fourth Construction 887,756.79
- Landscaping 131,093.46