44 Nebraskaland • January-February 2020
ur state capitol is one of the nation's most recognizable, but did you know it's the third capitol built on that spot, and the
fi fth to serve as Nebraska's seat of government?
Nebraska's fi rst territorial capitol was built in Omaha by the Council Bluff s and Nebraska Ferry Company. It was Omaha's
fi rst brick building and stood on Ninth Street between Farnam and Douglas.
O
Nebraska's Five Capitols
By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska
The second capitol stood on the present
site of Omaha Central High School. History
Nebraska RG2341-2-p17-1
In 1858 the legislature moved to a larger,
partly fi nished building on the present site
of Omaha Central High School. The new
building began falling apart immediately. A
year later it had to be repaired to keep a wall
from collapsing.
And with no "privy" on the grounds,
members of legislature relieved themselves
in the dirt-fl oored basement. In this photo
the capitol would have been drafty and
chilly, but at least it didn't stink as much in
cold weather.
"The building is a neat and substantial
one, but altogether too small for the purpose
intended," said the Nebraska Palladium
(Bellevue) after the fi rst legislative session
opened in January 1855. The front door
opened into a hallway, with the House of
Representatives chamber on the left and
the governor's apartment on the right.
A winding staircase led upstairs to the
Council chamber (equivalent to a Senate)
and committee rooms. A real estate agent
would call it "cozy."
