the leg

Inspired by Lisa's postcards last week of state capitol buildings, I spent the weekend searching for my collection of our provincial legislative buildings.  I know I don't have all 14 of them, but we'll see how interesting this is.  In no particular order, here's the first I found, for Manitoba, in the capital city of Winnipeg, a neoclassical, beaux-arts building built in 1920 known colloquially as "the Leg"

 

Atop the dome, in pride of place is the Golden Boy, Manitoba's best known symbol.  Modeled after the Roman god Mercury (or Greek god Hermes) he is meant to represent the prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit of the province.  He is facing north to symbolize Manitoba's future in looking towards the vast northern resources.