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• Author: Gibson, Richard R.
• Position: THEN & NOW - Kansas State Capitol construction - Brief article

The Kansas State Capitol in Topeka was a work in progress for a long time--and still is. Construction began in 1866 and after having to replace the foundation, the predominantly French Renaissance building was completed in sections spanning 37 years. The central, domed section was added in 1903, connecting the east and west wings. In 2002, Richard Bergen's bronze sculpture of a Kansa warrior shooting his arrow toward the North Star was placed on top of the dome. Called Ad Astra from the state motto, "Ad astra per aspera" ("to the stars through difficulties"), the statue was selected to honor the state's American...