In 1890 Guthrie was selected as the temporary capitol of Oklahoma Territory. After Oklahoma became the 46th state of the Union in 1907, a special election was held in 1910 to select a new location for the State Capital and Oklahoma City was the winner. Work began on the Capitol building in 1915. But the $1.5 million appropriated by the 4th Oklahoma Legislature did not cover the entire expense of the building. Plans for completing the dome were dropped temporarily because of the onset of World War I. Later, additional funds to complete construction without the dome were appropriated, and the building was opened in 1917 without its majestic crown. A "temporary" cap was placed on the building in the space where the high dome was to be constructed. It was a long wait as the cap remained in place until 2001, when construction of the dome finally proceeded. More than 75% of the estimated $21 million to build the dome was raised from private sources. Construction of the 157-foot structure was completed in 2002.