The Haunted Texas State Capitol
Posted: 11.27.2024 | Updated: 11.27.2024
Touted as the largest state Capitol building in the United States, the Texas State Capitol in Austin is as formidable as it is intimidating. But perhaps this intimidation comes from the building’s otherworldly history.
If you tour the building that makes the laws of the land, you might encounter some politicians who continue to do their duty — from the other side.
Who Haunts the Texas State Capitol?
The Texas State Capitol has a roster of regular ghosts, including a murdered government worker, a jilted former governor, and a painter who had a very unfortunate stumble. If you want to walk by the haunted Capitol for yourself and check out other spectral hot spots in Austin, book a ghost tour with Austin Ghosts.
The History of the Texas State Capitol
The Texas State Capitol building has gone through several iterations since its original construction in 1839.
After Austin was chosen as Texas’ capital, work began on designing a Capitol building that showcased the state. Before a grand building could be built, however, a large log cabin acted as the meeting place for official state business. This didn’t last long, though.
By 1853, a limestone building was constructed on a scenic hill above the Colorado River. Reviews of the building, which was massive for the time, were mixed. One newspaper critic called the Capitol an "architectural monstrosity."
The Current-Day Fortress
Despite all the work that went into the original limestone Capitol building, the state politicians decided this wasn’t good enough. Just 20 years later, extensive plans were made for a Capitol that would truly knock everyone’s socks off.
This wouldn’t be a cheap project, so the state legislators authorized the sale of 3 million acres of public land to pay for the construction. Then, a competition was held for the best architectural design.
Despite the grand prize being a whopping $1,700 (the equivalent of $52,000 today), only eight architects submitted plans. The winner was Elijah E. Myers, an architect from Detroit.
After discovering how badly limestone became discolored when exposed to the atmosphere and natural elements, the design team opted to use the now-iconic red granite the building is known for.
Over 1,000 workers built the truly massive building in seven years. When completed in 1888, the Capitol boasted 392 rooms and 924 windows. At the time, it was said to be the seventh-largest building in the world. The Texas State Capitol is the largest state Capitol in the United States, clocking in at 2.25 acres in square footage.
The most recognizable feature of the Capitol is the massive dome built atop the expansive complex. The Goddess of Liberty stands on guard on the dome, a full 302 feet above the ground below. As beautiful as it looks, the dome holds its own dark secrets.
Is the Texas State Capitol haunted?
A lot of history has happened within the walls of the nearly 140-year-old Texas Capitol. Yet, we’re not referring only to political milestones. The Texas State Capitol has also hosted several tragic accidents — and even a murder. These events have led to mysterious apparitions spotted around the Capitol building, as well as plenty of unexplainable phenomena.
Fiona Broome, a psychic, ghost hunter, and author who wrote The Ghosts of Austin, Texas, is positive that phantoms reside in the Capitol building. "The Capitol is haunted day and night. If you've got a nice, misty day there, people see ghosts walking up the path to the Capitol building all the time."
To understand where some of these spirits come from, we have to take a trip to the past.
The unlucky painter who fell to his death
By 1922, the 40-year-old Capitol building was in need of a few touch-ups. This included re-finishing the inside of the towering dome. So, they constructed a massive scaffolding system and put a team together.
One of the painters was 26-year-old Ed Wheeler. One day, the scaffolding shifted suddenly when Wheeler was working on the dome. The young man couldn’t catch his balance in time and fell — plunging past all three levels and ultimately crashing through the glass floor into the basement. He died upon impact.
Legend is that Wheeler is one of the many spirits that haunt the Capitol building, upset at his young life being cut short on a job.
The murdered government worker
Any manager will tell you that firing an employee is one of the worst parts of the job. Back in 1903, the same sentiment held true. However, for Comptroller Robert Love, his choice to fire an employee had deadly consequences.
Love was in charge of all things finance while working at the Capitol, including a team who worked under him. For some reason, he chose to fire William Hill.
Hill returned to the Capitol building shortly after being fired to see his old boss. Love welcomed him cordially, and Hill handed Love a letter. Before Love could finish reading the note, Hill shot him twice in the chest.
This started a manhunt, where another government worker chased after Hill. When he caught up, there was a struggle, and Hill was shot and killed. Back at the Capitol building, Love had succumbed to his injuries and passed away on-site.
Love is said to still roam the halls of the Texas Capitol building in his suit and top hat, perhaps not realizing that his shift is finally over.
The governor who can’t let go
Edmond Jackson Davis served as governor of Texas from 1870 to 1874. After he was defeated in the 1873 election, Davis refused to leave office, saying that election law was unconstitutional. He appealed to President Grant for help to stay in power. Grant, unsurprisingly, denied Davis any assistance, leaving Davis to leave office with his tail between his legs.
It seems Davis has never been able to fully let go of his power, as his ghost is still spotted around the Texas Capitol building to this day. The encounter isn’t a pleasant one, as visitors who have seen him report feeling a distinct chill in the air as he stares them down.
Other ghosts who haunt the Texas State Capitol building
There are also some spirits whose backstories aren’t as familiar to the visitors of the Capitol today. One frequently seen ghost is simply known as the “vanishing lady.”
One office worker passed by a woman dressed in a bright red (or possibly pink) dress. After walking by, the worker had a strong inkling that he recognized the woman, so he doubled back. When he turned the corner, he found she had disappeared into thin air.
Haunted Austin
While the Capitol building has plenty of familiar ghosts, it’s only one of several spooky locations in downtown Austin. The Driskill Hotel has been the site of several deaths, from a young girl fatally tripping down the hotel’s staircase to a jilted bride taking her own life in a guest room.
Then there’s the Paramount Theater, which has hosted some unfortunate (and deadly) acts throughout its history.
If you want to pass by these famed buildings for yourself and see if you can spot anything out of the ordinary, book a ghost tour with Austin Ghosts tonight.
Curious to hear more about the Lonestar’s state’s ghosts? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more spooky Texas tales.
Sources:
https://tspb.texas.gov/prop/tc/tc-history/history/index.html
https://tspb.texas.gov/prop/tc/tc-history/history/index.html
https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1880?amount=1700
https://guidetoaustinarchitecture.com/places/texas-state-capitol
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-capital-a-real-ghost-town
https://www.austinmonthly.com/driskill-hotels-haunted-history-fact-vs-fiction
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