After leaving the Riverfront Park, we had to figure out something else to do with our time. It was our last day in South Carolina, so we didn't want to fritter it away by sitting at home doing nothing. We decided that since we were in the capital city, why not check out the South Carolina State House/Capital Building? Sounded like a cool idea, but more on that later. First we passed by the Department of Mental Health facility.  It looked like it had been abandoned for years, which made it fascinating. My Mom said that one of her friends had attended medical school here back in the day, which made me think what this place was like when it was an operating facility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's something intriguing about abandoned buildings. What happened in the past that led to this place becoming abandoned in the present day? Why do they leave this place to rot instead of razing it to the ground to build something new on this land? We drove around the grounds for a few minutes, stopping only to take a few pictures. If I had been alone, I might have ventured into the buildings to see what they where like on the inside. Can you even imagine what wonders exist inside? But we didn't go inside, so I guess I will just have to imagine what could have been. But I know what was? The Hussey Gay Bell. What does that mean? If it isn't a gay bar, then I don't know what it is. I may live the rest of my life trying to figure things out, but I know this is a gay bar and definitely not anything else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Carolinas March 2015 - SC State House

 

 

The South Carolina State House began construction in 1855, but construction stalled during the Civil War when many of the buildings came under fire (both cannon and literal fire). After the war (which the North won - SPOILER ALERT), construction resumed but it didn't get fully completed until 1907. From my viewpoint on that day, I would say that it was well worth the wait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This statue of George Washington existed prior to the Civil War. For some reason unbeknownst to me, it was damaged by the North and the cane was broken. After the war, they decided to keep the statue in this state instead of repairing it. It now stands as a historical marker of the past and had a plaque below it to identify the significance of the event. This statue plays a role in history, but this tree also does the same thing but in a naturalistic way. A statue is built by man and has to undergo rigorous design and budgetary constraints in order to exist. A tree just grows. It doesn't care about laws, rules or jurisdictions. IT. JUST. GROWS. And there is not a god damn thing we can do about it. No war, no rapture, no hand of God could change the course of the past. That's what makes the statue and the tree historic.

 

The South shall rise again! Or at least that's what the people of South Carolina say. Although the North won the Civil war in 1865, South Carolina raised the Confederate Flag in 1961 atop the State House. In 2000, the SC Senate passed a bill to remove the flag from the top of the dome and to place it outside on the grounds. This monument was meant to honor the fallen Confederate soldiers and the flag was displayed until July of 2015. After a deadly church shooting (which was racially motivated), the SC government voted to remove the flag. It had been a point of debate and contention for years. This must have been the last straw or something. I wouldn't know. I don't live in South Carolina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think that I've ever been inside a capital building. I've been to Madison several times (the state capital of Wisconsin), made a stop in Sacramento (California's state capital) and Kevin and I did the Revolution outside of the US Capital Building in Washington D.C. But every time I was always on the outside and didn't get a chance to go in. What a huge mistake that was. There are so many fabulous wonders that exist inside these buildings. Like this dome on the South Carolina State House. I think the tour guide mentioned something about this feature, but Jenny and I were too busy goofing around making silly faces to pay attention to the details. That's all in a day's work for the Hot Mess and the Spectacle. This is what we do best. We play to our strengths. Andy why not? It got us this far.

 

 

They don't make them like they used to. That's one of the best things about checking out old-ass buildings. Modern artists don't take the time to create (nor do they appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into) works of art like this stained glass window. It's absolutely incredible and really puts this place over the top. I walked outside and saw more sculptures and monuments that adorn the grounds. Truth be told that I don't know what they all mean, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating them. And I'm OK with that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got a good look at the House and the Senate Chambers. Had we been here when they were in session, we might have made a difference in this state and passed some laws if you know what I mean. Jenny and I shouldn't be able to have that kind of effect on state politics, so it was a good thing that we came on an off day. Could you imagine what could have happened if there were here?