This undated postcard was published by City News Co., Jackson, Miss. Its text reads “Erected in 1901-1903 and one of the most beautiful of the various state capitols. The site was formerly that of the state penitentiary.”

I saw this postcard on eBay (which I usually try to avoid in order to flee temptation) and had to buy it because it seemed a little spooky (it’s actually a little darker in real life). When I got the card, I realized the reason the sky was a little twilight-ish is that they were showing off all those brightly lit windows in the New Capitol. If you’ve been in the New Capitol I’m sure you’ve noticed all the hundreds or maybe thousands of exposed light blubs–these guys were proud of their electricity! Having the building artificially lit allows the legislators to work way into the night plotting nefarious strategies to outwit the governor and, if they have a little time after that, they sometimes work on budgets and other legislation.

Categories: Cool Old Places, Jackson