Georgia State Capitol
Why it's listed
Rising above five-acre Capitol Square in Atlanta, the Georgia State Capitol is a domed, columned government building begun in 1884 and first occupied in June 1889. Chicago architects Edbrooke and Burnham won a design competition, and Miles and Horne of Toledo built it for just under the one million dollars the legislature appropriated. Indiana oolitic limestone faces the exterior, while Georgia marble finishes the floors, steps and lower walls inside. A six-column composite portico leads to a rotunda crowned by a dome and lantern, now gold-leafed, topped by a statue of Freedom. The nomination presents the building as an architectural symbol of Atlanta and the New South after Reconstruction. Its U.S. Capitol-like neo-classical form was chosen over High Victorian styles to signal Georgia's rejoining the Union. It has served continuously as the seat of the legislature and state government offices, and remains one of the oldest major structures in Atlanta.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a landmark of 19th century American architecture, a neo-classical expression of the idea of a Capitol for the New South after Reconstruction. It rejected High Victorian styles for a U.S. Capitol-like form and anticipated the "American Renaissance" style. It has been in continuous use as the seat of the legislature and state government offices.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 71001099, listed December 9, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Capitol Sq., Atlanta |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | December 9, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71001099 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1889 |
| Architect / builder | Edbrooke (Willoughby J.) and Burnham (Franklin P.), of Chicago, architects; Miles and Horne, Toledo, Ohio, builders |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical-Renaissance Revival |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 7, 1973 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In continuous use as a state capitol housing the legislature and state government offices; condition marked excellent and unaltered. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 33.74904, -84.38801 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 71001099.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1509326
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.