Nebraska State Capitol & Sunken Gardens

I had a two hour drive plus, I needed gas, groceries, and breakfast. I left Norfolk a little before 10 a.m.

I kept driving around the Capitol looking for parking. There were spots, but I couldn’t fit the van because of the way people parked. It took 20 minutes, but I found a spot 4 blocks away. The temperature had jumped from the low 50s at the park, to the mid-80s at lunch time.

Nebraska Capitol Building

I first walked the around the entire Capitol building which is square shaped. The younger people were moving more quickly with intention and alacrity, there was a purpose, something to do, somewhere to be. I was walking behind two woman that were taking up the entire sidewalk and moving much slower. I eventually got around them and madeit to the entrance of the Capitol.

I eventually made it around the entire grounds. Several things struck me. The first was how thick and lush the grass was. It is verging on fall and the weather has probably been perfect for growing grass. The second was just how few monuments there were. There is one monument of Liconoln. Last, there are four streets surrounding the Capitol and building all around it. I wondered why they didn’t leave a lot more space around the building. This must have been a decision from the beginning.

I was surprised that there was no security check when I entered the building. There was a sign that indicated that the next tour began at 1 p.m.. I had 30 minutes, so I did a self guided tour and ended by checking out the gift shop in the basement. There was a book section, and I was surprised to find the Autobiography of Malcolm X, in collaboration with Alex Huxley (author of Roots). I read it in the early 70s when I lived in Washington, D.C. It turns out that Malcom X was born in Omaha, Nebraska.

The tour started at the entrance on time with 9 people. Our guide has been doing this for three years and it show with the details she provided. The tour was a shortened for two main reasons, the tower was shutdown of the installation of a new geothermal heating / cooling system that would take two years to installed.

The architecture is a square base with a tower in the middle but has a cathedral feel. The main hall is constructed mainly made of Indian stone. we stopped in the main hall to look at the incredible mosaic celings, the black and white marble floors, and the six beautiful mosaic wall panels. As with all Capitol, there is symbolism everywhere related. The murals in the Capitol depict Nebraska’s history—from fur traders and the golden spike of the railroad to the cattle industry and homesteaders. My favorites are The Blizzard of 1888, capturing the storm that tested settlers

There had been four capitol buildings before this one was constructed, and unlike many others across the country that burned to the ground, Nebraska’s earlier versions simply fell into disrepair. Completed in 1932 and designed by Bertram Goodhue, the current Nebraska State Capitol is one of only four tower-style capitols in the U.S., the others being in Louisiana, North Dakota, and Florida. Breaking from the traditional “capitol with dome and wings” design modeled after Washington, D.C., Goodhue drew on a mix of influences: the 400-foot central tower was inspired by Italian campaniles and Mesopotamian ziggurats, the cross-shaped base echoed early Christian basilicas, and the decorative details combined Byzantine, Gothic, and emerging Art Deco styles. The result is a bold departure from other statehouses—a striking blend of cathedral and tower that still stands out as one of the most innovative government buildings in the country.

Our guide explained that the current Capitol was built on the same grounds as the previous one, but because Nebraska’s constitution prohibits the state from taking on debt, the project stretched out nearly a decade. Construction began in 1922 and moved forward only as funds became available, with sections finished and occupied one at a time. As each part was completed, that branch of government relocated into the new building, and piece by piece the Capitol came to life until its full dedication in 1932—a reflection of Nebraska’s cautious, pay-as-you-go approach to government.

We had a chance to see the govenor’s office. The space is actually three rooms, the Governor’s Private Office, The Reception Room, and The Meeting Room. The current govenor is a pig farmer and there is a life size pig statue with a Nebraska Cornhuskers jersey draped over the pig. The govenor played football for the cornhuskers. Apparently he a a friend to India, there is a bust of gahndi in the meeting room.

We couldn’t go to the center of the hall because an event was about to start—the swearing in of new attorneys who had just passed the bar. Instead, we stepped into the legislative chamber and ended up in an interesting conversation about Nebraska’s unique form of government. It’s the only state with a unicameral legislature, meaning just one house. That wasn’t always the case; the change came in the 1930s under Governor George Norris, who pushed for it to cut costs and reduce political gridlock. The system has advantages—streamlined lawmaking, less duplication, more transparency—but also disadvantages, since with only one house, there are fewer checks and balances.

Sunken Garden

My parking meter was running out, so I hustled back to the van, pulled a quick espresso, and then headed about ten minutes across town to the Sunken Gardens. I was hoping to catch flowers in bloom, and while I did, the early afternoon light was harsh. That forced me to get a little creative—working angles, playing with shadows, and seeing what I could capture beyond the obvious shots.

The gardens themselves are compact, with a parking lot that might hold fifteen cars, but I managed to squeeze the van in. I ended up staying for nearly two hours, just sitting, watching, and photographing. Toddlers pressed against the railings, mesmerized by the koi fish. Couples posed for photos or simply sat on benches together. It was one of those places where the people became as interesting as the flowers.

Lincoln’s Sunken Gardens have their own story too. Built in 1930 during the Great Depression as a make-work project, they transformed what had been a neighborhood dump into a carefully designed public space with terraced flower beds, lily ponds, rock gardens, and winding stone paths, all set in a natural bowl of land—hence the name “sunken.” For decades, the gardens became a seasonal showcase, with new floral themes planted each year to draw visitors back. By the early 2000s, they needed a facelift, and in 2004 the community rallied to fund a major renovation. That effort added statues, a cascading waterfall, and accessible walkways, ensuring the gardens would not only survive but thrive for future generations. Today, they stand as one of Lincoln’s most beloved attractions, a place where history, beauty, and everyday life come together in a living work of art.