The Supreme Court is a building that is completely covered in marble, with a large and wide staircase leading up to the entrance. In front, there’s a courtyard with two fountains on either side, with flags with either one. The steps also enter to the courtyard, which has trees and shrubs all around.

The building is 385 feet wide from east to west and 304 feet deep from north to south. It has four stories. Inside, the Great Hall's size measures to 91 feet long around 82 feet wide, and has a ceiling 44 feet high. The bronze front doors each weigh 13,000 pounds, that is more than the weight of three cars per door!

Outside the building, there is two statues stand on both sides of the steps: one of them represents the “Contemplation of Justice” and the other represents the “Authority of Law.” Above the front doors is a mural with a central figure symbolizing Liberty, flanked by two figures representing Order and Authority. From left to right, the figures that are shown are Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes and sculptor Robert Aitken.

The Supreme Court is placed just north of the Jefferson Building (Library of Congress), across the street between them. It also is east of the Capitol Building. See the map below for details.

For its first 146 years, the Supreme Court was housed in the Capitol Building and was often moved around like furniture. At one point, it was relocated to Old City Hall as a fixed location, but later moved back to the Capitol after the Senate’s second chamber was built.

President William Howard Taft pushed for a new, separate building to set the Court apart from Congress. After strong lobbying, plans were made and construction began in 1932, finishing in 1935.

The building houses the Supreme Court and provides offices for all its members. It also stands as a symbol of the judicial branch’s independence. Tours are offered to help the public learn about the Court’s role.

The Supreme Court didn’t have a permanent home for its first 146 years. Chief Justice William Howard Taft understood the Court’s equal importance to the other branches and worked hard to get this special building constructed.

Library of Congress