U.S. Capitol Building - Flags & Dome

Thomas U. Walter designed the "wedding cake" cast-iron dome. Rising 289 feet (88 m), and over 100 feet (30 m) in diameter, the weight of the cast-iron for the dome has been published as 8,909,200 pounds.

The image above shows the Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln in 1861, beneath an unfinished US Capitol dome.

Up to four U.S. flags can be seen flying over the Capitol. Two flagpoles are at the base of the dome on the East and West front. These flagpoles have flown the flag day and night since World War I. The other two flagpoles are above the North (Senate) and South (House of Representatives) wings of the building and fly only when the chamber below is in session. The flag above the House of Representatives is raised and lowered by pages.