A state Capitol Christmas tradition continues

Holiday celebrations began in the state Capitol in 1869 when the building first opened. Past governors decorated the Capitol with wreaths and their offices with trees, but in 1931, the tree was moved from the governor's office to the rotunda and later to a spot near the lieutenant governor's office, where it remained until 1984.

Concerns about fire safety voiced by Joint Rules Committee Chair Louis Papan resulted in the tree being moved outside, where it has remained ever since, even though Papan got some flak about why he "decided to cancel Christmas." Despite a brief hiatus as a "Holiday Tre...