The general decorative features of the main entrance to the building consist of six massive stone columns, two on each side and one in front of each pier supporting the main arches. Upon pedestals on the tops of these columns the granite statues, about 18 feet high, are placed, those on the west side of the entrance representing Prometheus and Thales, typifying Fire and Electricity, those on the east side Ceres and Archimedes, typifying Agriculture and Mechanics, while Freedom and Imagination are depicted by the central figures. Those on the west side represent two of the great forces connected with the operation of railroads, while those on the east owe much of their development and wealth to the railroads. The central figures typify the atmosphere of freedom in which the inventive imagination has been able to accomplish such great results. The columns flanking the carriage entrances are surmounted by stone eagles about 8 feet high. The following inscriptions are cut in the granite panels over the main entrance: _West_ (_Prometheus and Thales_) FIRE--GREATEST OF DISCOVERIES ENABLING MAN TO LIVE IN VARIOUS CLIMATES USE MANY FOODS--AND COMPEL THE FORCES OF NATURE TO DO HIS WORK ELECTRICITY--CARRIER OF LIGHT AND POWER DEVOURER OF TIME AND SPACE--BEARER OF HUMAN SPEECH OVER LAND AND SEA GREAT SERVANT OF MAN--ITSELF UNKNOWN THOU HAST PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET _Central_ (_Freedom and Imagination_) SWEETENER OF HUT AND OF HALL BRINGER OF LIFE OUT OF NAUGHT FREEDOM O FAIREST OF ALL THE DAUGHTERS OF TIME AND THOUGHT MAN’S IMAGINATION HAS CONCEIVED ALL NUMBERS AND LETTERS--ALL TOOLS, VESSELS AND SHELTERS--EVERY ART AND TRADE--ALL PHILOSOPHY AND POETRY--AND ALL POLITIES THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE _East_ (_Ceres and Archimedes_) THE FARM--BEST HOME OF THE FAMILY--MAIN SOURCE OF NATIONAL WEALTH--FOUNDATION OF CIVILIZED SOCIETY--THE NATURAL PROVIDENCE THE OLD MECHANIC ARTS--CONTROLLING NEW FORCES--BUILD NEW HIGHWAYS FOR GOODS AND MEN--OVERRIDE THE OCEAN--AND MAKE THE VERY ETHER CARRY HUMAN THOUGHT THE DESERT SHALL REJOICE AND BLOSSOM AS THE ROSE In the panels over the entrances to the carriage porch and state apartment the following inscriptions are cut: _Carriage Porch_ (_south elevation_) HE THAT WOULD BRING HOME THE WEALTH OF THE INDIES MUST CARRY THE WEALTH OF THE INDIES WITH HIM SO IT IS IN TRAVELLING--A MAN MUST CARRY KNOWLEDGE WITH HIM IF HE WOULD BRING HOME KNOWLEDGE _State Apartment_ (_south elevation_) LET ALL THE ENDS THOU AIMEST AT BE THY COUNTRY’S, THY GOD’S, AND TRUTH’S, BE NOBLE, AND THE NOBLENESS THAT LIES IN OTHER MEN--SLEEPING BUT NEVER DEAD--WILL RISE IN MAJESTY TO MEET THINE OWN _State Apartment_ (_east elevation_) WELCOME THE COMING SPEED THE PARTING GUEST VIRTUE ALONE IS SWEET SOCIETY IT KEEPS THE KEY TO ALL HEROIC HEARTS AND OPENS YOU A WELCOME IN THEM ALL