The story of the Oklahoma State Capitol is as wild and unpredictable as the story of Oklahoma itself. The on-again, off-again effort to construct the statehouse lasted five years as Oklahoma City and Guthrie jockeyed back and forth, each laying claim to the capital city. Finally, seven years after statehood, ground was broken on the capitol. Oklahoma's third governor, Robert Williams, seeking to keep costs low, put himself in charge of the Oklahoma State Capitol Building Commission and made the following controversial decision that would be debated for decades afterwards: he would forgo the structure's planned ornamental dome. It would not be added until 85 years later. Dome or no dome, the capitol has served as the People's House, a place for Oklahomans to let their voices be heard throughout the generations.