State Capitol

The Tennessee State Capitol was built at the highest point in the downtown area, called Cedar’s Knob. It was designed by famed Philadelphia architect William Strickland, in his signature Greek Revival style. Construction began in 1845 and was completed in 1859. Strickland died in 1854 and, per his wishes, was entombed in the north wall. Strickland’s son, Francis, served as architect until 1857. Harvey M. Akeroyd was hired the next year to complete the final room of the capitol—the State Library. Armenian American artist Jirayr H. Zorthian painted the interior murals depicting scenes from Tennessee’s history. It is one of only twelve state capitol buildings without a dome, and is also the only current capitol building completed before the Civil War in the South.

The building is made of Tennessee limestone, which was quarried by slaves and inmates at the state penitentiary. Tours of the Capitol are available Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. If you’d like a closer look at the building, or you want to take a tour, head on up to the top of the hill. Otherwise, you can get a great 360 degree view from a distance as you traverse the walking path around to Seventh Ave. North.

As you walk around the Capitol, you’ll pass many statues and memorials honoring noteworthy Tennesseans. At the corner of Sixth Ave. North and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. stands the figure of Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated U.S. soldiers in WWI. York is famous for his attack on a German machine gun nest during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France for which he was awarded a Medal of Honor. On the corner of Seventh Ave. North and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. stands the statue of Private Sam Davis, a Confederate Army spy hanged for espionage in 1863. Tennessee’s three presidents are also honored at the capitol: a statue of seventeenth president Andrew Johnson; a statue of seventh president Andrew Jackson; and the tomb of eleventh president James K. Polk and his wife, Sarah. The Polks were moved here from their burials at their home, Polk Place, before the building was razed in 1901. For more information about Polk Place, visit our Downtown Civil War tour. 

Continue following the path around the capitol. It will lead you to Seventh Ave. North and the next tour stop, the Tennessee Supreme Court, will be on your right. You’ll also pass the Tennessee State Library and Archives.