Old State Capitol Baton Rouge
Architect:
JERRY M. CAMPBELL & ASSOCIATES A.I.A. ARCHITECTS,
Baton Rouge, LA
General Contractor:
CANGELOSI WARD,
Baton Rouge, LA
Robinson Iron Project Manager:
AUSTIN ROBINSON
In the 1800’s the South and particularly the state of Louisiana embraced the romantic vision of Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, a tale of 12th Century England’s chivalrous Lords and Ladies. Gothic architecture became all the rage and as such it was chosen for the State’s Capitol building, and the fencing surrounding it. At this time the plantation based economy of the South was the fifth largest in the world and no expense was spared to create a fitting governmental center in Baton Rouge.
Cast by the John Hill Foundry in Baton Rouge the cast iron gates and fencing were installed in an interlocking method atop a cast iron bearing plate. This ingenious design reduced the risk of the brick footing shifting in the soft soil. The monumental gates are supported by posts fashioned to look like bound faces. Eagles with outstretched wings sit atop them and the finials of the gates and fence are fleur d’lis, emblematic of the state’s French colonial history.
Of special concern are the historic live oak trees that in some places have actually grown into the cast iron fence. Austin Robinson who is directing the work for Robinson Iron expressed the problem this way, “One post in the northeast corner of the fence has been partially engulfed by a tree. We’re leaving it in place, providing temporary fabricated steel fencing in a “U” shape, and casting additional components for future replacement in that area.” All new concrete footings will support the fence on all but the West side. “We’re adjusting the rake of the fence to provide a smoother more constant slope”, said Austin, “we’re also eliminating the trough in the horizontal members by filling it with stainless steel. This will prevent standing water from creating future problems”.
All the original material was treated with Pretox to render any lead based coatings nonleachable before they were removed by needle scaling. A Tnemec paint system consisting of a zinc rich pre-prime, epoxy primer, acylic polyurethane, and clearcoat protectant are being applied to protect the newly restored fence.The main entrance gate with missing eagle finial.
Corrosion, missing components and heaving from ancient live oaks had taken their toll.
Every component was numbered before removal and crating for shipment to Robinson’s facilities.
After cleaning pieces were repaired and coated with a zinc rich pre-prime.
A two component epoxy primer was then applied.
Fence segments were preassembled in the shop.
Where there were raked segments the slope had to be recreated in the shop.
Even the massive entrance gates had to be preassembled and fitted with new hardware.
After fitting in the shop each piece received a finish coat of acrylic polyurethane and a clearcoat.
Then they were carefully packed for return to the site.
A portion of the restored fence installed on site.
