The Tower on the Plains: Nebraska’s Architectural Landmark

When visitors approach Lincoln, Nebraska, the prominent feature visible on the horizon is often a striking 400-foot tower crowned with a bronze statue. Known as "The Tower on the Plains," the Nebraska State Capitol is recognized globally as a masterpiece of American civic architecture. Completed in 1932, the building broke away from standard governmental design traditions to create a unique symbol representing the history, culture, and democratic ideals of Nebraska.

Before the current structure was built, two previous state capitols had stood on the same site, both suffering from structural instability and rapid deterioration. In 1919, the Nebraska Legislature established a Capitol Commission to oversee the design and construction of a new, permanent statehouse. Through an open architectural competition, the commission selected architect Bertram Goodhue, whose innovative design combined classical symmetry with modern art deco aesthetics. Goodhue’s concept was groundbreaking because it abandoned the traditional dome structure popularized by the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., opting instead for a tall, functional tower rising from a wide, two-story square base. Construction began in 1922 and proceeded in four phases over ten years, allowing state government operations to continue uninterrupted on the site.