First Minnesota State Capitol

Minnesota Territory was created when Congress passed the Organic Act of 1849 which gave the president of the United States power to appoint a territorial governor, secretary, chief justice, and other officials; called for the election of a nine-member council and an eighteen-member House of Representatives; and provided for a temporary seat of government in St. Paul until a capital city could be determined.

[1] The territorial legislature set up a temporary headquarters in the Central House Hotel in September 1849 and continued to meet in nonpermanent locations during the next three sessions.

The territorial government accepted an offer from Charles and Annie J. Bazille of a building site bounded by Tenth, Wabasha, Exchange, and Cedar Streets for the token price of one dollar.

Four years later, steam heat replaced wood-burning stoves and new plumbing brought city water into the building.

During repairs conducted a few days before the Minnesota Constitutional Convention in July 1857, a fire started on the west side of the cupola.

[3] The newly completed Market House at Seventh and Wabasha Streets became the temporary home of state government the following day.