NMCentennialBlueBook

THE ROUNDHOUSE
By the 1960's the government
had outgrown its quarters and
the 1963 legislature approved
funds for construction of a new
building to house the executive
and legislative branches. It
was designed by W.C. Kruger
and constructed by Robert E.
McKee. It is an adaptation
of the Greek revival period
to the Pueblo Indian adobe
architecture and modified to
form the Zia Indian Sun Symbol
that appears on the state flag.
Construction completed in 1966.
The Roundhouse, East view, 1966-Present
In 1992, the first of two
major renovations to the capitol was completed. It included removal of asbestos and
mechanical and electrical renovations. It created larger committee rooms for greater public
participation, and brought the building up to date on safety and handicap requirements.
January 2000 marked the completion of the second major renovation to the Roundhouse. It
converted the old State Library into the new State North Annex. Redesigned to resemble
the architecture of the Roundhouse, it includes a mini-rotunda with a large bronze
fountain in the center. A long hallway, brightened by a row of skylights, connected the
two buildings and an interesting collection of original fine art is displayed throughout this
hallway or passageway. The new Capitol North Annex building houses several legislators,
the Secretary of State's Office, the Office of the Legislative Finance Committee and the
Legislative Education Study Committee. Other displays for public information, include
plaques designating senators; commemorating women who have served in the New Mexico
State Senate. Photographs in both legislative houses identify the pictures of the legislators
who have served New Mexico since statehood. A bronze plaque can also be found on the
first floor that memorializes the men who served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
in New Mexico during the 1930's and early 1940's. Flags from the 33 counties of the state,
hang over the Rotunda. Fine art exhibits are rotated throughout the year in the lobby of the
building and busts of former governors can also be seen on the west entry area of the building.
On the grounds around the building, bronze sculptures done by New Mexico artists can be
found. An additional life size bronze statue located on the west side of the capitol honors
the work of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Worker. It faces the Bataan Memorial
Eternal Flame structure located just across the street and was the 54th CCC statue to be
placed in the nation.
More expansion required the creation of the Capitol South complex on South St. Francis
Drive with three buildings built to house Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Dept.,
General Services Dept, and Taxation and Revenue Dept. and Capitol West Complex which
houses the State Records and Archives and State Library. Some of these buildings have
been named to honor former NM statehood governors.
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