Capitol Square Tour - East Walkway
Take the east walkway toward the bronze statue of Gov. Austin Blair.
Governor Austin Blair Monument
This statue of Governor Austin Blair is the only monument on Capitol Square dedicated to an individual. Blair led Michigan during the Civil War, 1861-1864. He was an outspoken abolitionist and dedicated supporter of Michigan’s soldiers. The back of the monument is inscribed with quotes from Blair’s speeches, and his hand rests on one of Michigan’s regimental battle flags. This statue of Michigan’s ‘War Governor’ was unveiled on October 12, 1898.
Continue down the walkway to observe the annual flower beds.
Annual Carpet Beds
While the original landscaping plans for Capitol Square did not include flowers, 1890’s photos show two flower beds flanking the central walkway. The carpet beds that are planted here now are very appropriate for the late 19th century. Each spring, Capitol staff and volunteers plant about 10,000 annuals in a precise pattern to create colorful designs with the growing flowers. The patterns are usually inspired by the decorative art inside the Capitol.
Turning back toward the Blair Statue, you’ll notice a large, fenced in catalpa to the right.
The Capitol Catalpa
A living relic, the Catalpa tree just south of the central walkway was planted sometime before construction of the Capitol began in 1872. The (much smaller) tree can be seen in the earliest photos of Capitol. While most catalpas live about 60 years, this one is probably about 150! Every year, the MSU Department of Forestry collects some of the tree’s seed pods for propagation. Eventually, one of the catalpa’s ‘daughter trees’ will take its place on Capitol Square.