On this day in 1888 a new capitol building was dedicated in Austin, Texas.

The story goes back quite a bit further, though–9 years, to be exact. You see, our current capitol is actually the 4th capitol building. In 1879, the third capitol was getting a might crowded, so the Texas Legislature announced a nationwide competition to design a new one and set aside 3 million acres in the Texas Panhandle to pay for it. Elijah E. Myers submitted the winning design in 1881, and a syndicate of British investors bought the land for $1 per acre. (That’s $3,000,000.00 for those who might have trouble with the math.) The land became the XIT Ranch–the largest fenced ranch in Texas, covering parts of 10 counties!

The stunning red granite structure took 7 years to complete.