History
 Oregon's present Capitol has its origins in two fires.
On December 30, 1855, fire swept through a newly occupied Statehouse,
completely destroying the structure. The Holman Building, in the
business section of Salem, served as a temporary Capitol from 1859
until another one was completed in 1876. On April 25, 1935, fire
again destroyed the elegant Statehouse patterned after the U.S.
Capitol. Francis Keally with the New York firm of Trowbridge &
Livingston designed the current building, which was dedicated October
1, 1938. A four-story structure of Modern Greek architecture, it
was completed at a cost of $2.5 million and is the  fourth
newest Capitol in the United States. The exterior is faced with
white Danby Vermont marble. The rotunda, the halls, and all of the
lobby areas are lined with a warm, delicately polished Rose Travertine
from Montana.  The
floor and staircases of the rotunda utilize large squares of Phoenix
Napoleon grey marble from Missouri with borders of Radio Black marble
from Vermont. The Capitol Wings, completed in 1977 at a cost of
$12.5 million, added further space for legislative offices, hearing
rooms, support services, a first floor galleria, and underground
parking. The beauty of the entire Capitol plan is enhanced by its
utility. Spacious hearing rooms provide Oregonians an opportunity
to participate in legislative decision making and to view state
government at work.
 In the late 1990s a series of health and safety issues were identified in the Oregon State Capitol wings. Among these were defective water pipes, hazardous wiring conditions, a lack of adequate electrical circuits, and substandard heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) capabilities. After an initial plan for replacing just the piping, wiring and ceiling was developed, it was determined that it would be most cost effective to address additional areas of concern in the wings as part of the same project.  A committee consisting of representatives from leadership, caucus offices, desks, legislator staff, Legislative Counsel, Legislative Fiscal, Legislative Revenue and Legislative Administration was assembled to approve final design, choose interior colors and fabrics and select office furnishings.
The 74th Legislature approved the Capitol Restoration Project in June 2007. Between July 2007 and November 2008 an enormous amount of work is taking place in order to ensure that clean water and safe power are available in the Capitol wings for years to come.
Oregon State Capitol Timeline
1855 - December 30, Fire destroys Oregon’s newly occupied Statehouse. The building was a two story wood structure.
1859 - Holman Building served as temporary Capitol until a new building could be completed. The Holman Building was located in the business section of Salem.
1876 - Oregon’s second Capitol is completed. The Capitol was modeled after the United States Capitol.
1935 - April 25, Oregon’s second State Capitol is destroyed by fire
1938 - October 1, Dedication ceremony takes place for the current Capitol
1977 - June 10, Capitol Wings dedication ceremony takes place in a special joint legislative floor session
1996 - Facilities Services staff begins flushing water from pipes in the Wings weekly to ensure building occupants have clearer water during the week.
2001 - 72nd Legislative Assembly approves renovation to address health and safety issues in wings, Galleria, and Hearing Rooms A-F
2002 - Aug. 2002 through Nov. 2002, Hearing Room A - F Renovation is completed
2003 - Jan. 9, Capitol wings project funding is removed from E-Board agenda
2005 - July 29, SB 1084 Creates Public Commission on the Oregon Legislature (PCOL)
2005 - Dec. 15, PCOL tours Capitol infrastructure
2006 - Apr. 14, PCOL Facilities Committee approves
recommendation that the Legislature proceed with wing renovation
2006 - May 22, Full PCOL approves the committee
recommendation to Legislature to proceed with wing renovation
2006 - Jul. 24, PCOL Facilities Committee - Discusses
and approves the recommendation to develop a comprehensive plan
for all renovations and consideration of additional buildings on
the mall
2006 - Aug. 14, Full PCOL approves the committee
recommendation to Legislature to develop a comprehensive plan
2006 - Nov. 13, PCOL adopts final report recommending Capitol Renovation
2007 - April 30, Permit & estimating process
begins
2007 - Jun. 29, Budget is approved
2007 - Sept. 1, House wing construction begins
2007 - Oct. 1, Senate wing construction begins
2008 - Nov. 1, Construction on both wings completed
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