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Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 11848
Step inside the Supreme Court building and uncover its secrets! From hidden turtles to grand marble halls, explore how this iconic place became the home of justice in America.
A Building Fit for the Highest Court
Imagine being one of the most powerful judges in the country, but you don’t even have your own office!
For over 130 years, Supreme Court justices worked out of borrowed space inside the U.S. Capitol, squeezing into small rooms, stacking books in hallways, and even working from home. It wasn’t until 1935 that the Supreme Court finally got its own home.
Get ready to explore the Supreme Court building—a place where history, law, and architecture all come together!
Dive into the journey that led to the creation of this historic building.
The Supreme Court’s Long Journey to a Home
A Missing Piece in Washington, D.C.
When Washington, D.C., became the capital in 1790, the government got busy constructing buildings for the president and Congress. But somehow, the Supreme Court got left out of the plans!
Instead, the justices were given space inside the U.S. Capitol. When the British burned the Capitol in 1814, they were forced to move temporarily before returning.
The Supreme Court stayed in the Capitol for over a century, despite growing pains and cramped conditions.
But that was all about to change, thanks to one determined leader with a vision for a better future.
William Taft’s Big Idea
Everything changed when former president William Taft became Chief Justice in 1921. Taft wasn’t just a judge—he had also been the 27th president of the United States.
He knew how important it was for the Supreme Court to have its own identity, separate from Congress. Secretly, he hired an architect named Cass Gilbert to design a grand new home for the court.
Then, Taft worked hard to convince Congress to fund the project. He argued that even small state courts had better facilities than the Supreme Court!
After years of persuasion, Congress finally approved the funding in 1928. Gilbert, the architect, had a vision for a building that reflected the power and dignity of the court.
The justices wanted it behind the Capitol for convenience, while Gilbert thought it deserved a more prominent location. In the end, the justices won, and construction began in 1932.
With the location set, it was time to bring this vision to life.
A Grand and Purposeful Design
Every detail of the Supreme Court building was carefully planned.
The justices wanted a small courtroom to maintain the intimate setting they were used to. Their offices were tucked away from public areas to give them quiet spaces for research.
Most importantly, the law library was designed to hold an ever-growing collection of legal books—over 500,000 today!
The building’s architecture is stunning. Made of white marble, it features grand columns and statues that symbolize justice and the rule of law.
The inside is just as impressive, with marble floors, mahogany furniture, and enormous bookshelves. Even though Taft and Gilbert didn’t live to see it completed, the Supreme Court finally had a home worthy of its power.
Now that you know how the Supreme Court got its home, let’s step inside and explore it for yourself!
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