Originally Capitol Park Was surrounded by a wooden fence that ran along the inside
of the path around the park. A hitching rail for horses ran along the outside to keep
the horses away from pedestrians.
The wooden fence was replaced by an iron one with stone pillars in 1873
(designed by
Stephen Shipman).
Some of the pillars had small statues on top which were meant to represent the four
seasons. The statues were less impressive than they seem in vintage photographs, made of
cast zinc that was painted white, not stone sculptures. Twenty Six years later (1899) the
iron fence was ordered removed by Governor Edward Schofield.
Some pillars from that old iron fence
still exist on the
grounds of
Mendota Mental Health.
Part of the iron fence is now on the grounds of the of
Governor’s
Residence.
