New Mexico

The New Mexico State Capitol is as distinctive as the state it represents. The capitol is home to the New Mexico Governor and New Mexico Legislature, consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Known informally as The Roundhouse, the New Mexico State Capitol is the only round capitol building in the United States. From a satellite view, it resembles the Zia sun symbol (the red symbol on the state flag).

It is designed in the distinctive New Mexico Territorial Architecture prominent in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The state of New Mexico is known as “The Land of Enchantment”, so this aesthetic fits perfectly; a “typical” state capitol building wouldn’t do.

The Roundhouse is in downtown Santa Fe (“Holy Faith” in Spanish), the oldest and highest capitol in the nation.

Founded in 1610 as the capital of Nuevo Mexico, a province of New Spain, Santa Fe became part of the United States in 1848 after the Mexican-American War. It served as the territorial capital from 1851 until statehood in 1912.

At 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe sits higher than Denver, CO, at the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost subrange of the Rockies. The drive from Albuquerque climbs sharply—about 1,700 feet in elevation.

Even though Santa Fe is a very walkable city, walking long distances can be difficult if you are not used to high altitude. There is a lot to see in Santa Fe from historical and business perspectives, so make sure to pace yourself and plan to rest. Santa Fe is The City Different—and I agree. It’s beautiful with a lot to do; make your high-altitude adjustments and stay, because you’ll love it.

Built in 1966, it’s the third-newest state capitol (after Florida and Hawai‘i), with a modern design. The New Mexico State Capitol is one of 11 without a dome, but it does have a rotunda with a skylight. Learn more about the New Mexico State Capitol history or plan your visit.

The grounds surrounding the building are the Homer Clay Buchanan Gardens, a botanical garden that features over 100 varieties of plants. This garden was a labor of love for the late Clay Buchanan, former director of the Legislative Council Service. Eventually, other capitol staffers joined in to take care of the gardens on the weekends.

There is a Capitol Art gallery on the main floor that features New Mexico art, and more than 600 pieces by New Mexico artists are displayed throughout the building.. The New Mexico Legislature provides tour videos for Capitol Art and the Buchanan Gardens.

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