Washington, its sights and insights [1903]Monroe, Harriet Earhart
History
Washington, its sights and insights [1903]
Monroe, Harriet Earhart
Washington (D.C.) -- Description and travel
Ellicott is described as bearing a marked resemblance to Benjamin
Franklin, except that he was more of a Quaker in appearance, wearing a
long, fine gray broadcloth coat and a Quaker hat. He awaits the
resurrection in an unmarked grave at Ellicott City, Maryland.
[Illustration:
Photo by Clinedinst
THE CAPITOL
]
The original building was constructed from plans submitted by Stephen
Hallet, the work undergoing some modifications from the plans of Dr.
William Thornton.
The great wings were added during Fillmore’s administration from designs
submitted by Thomas N. Walter, architect, who not only superintended the
building of the additions, but also managed to harmonize them with the
original design.
Years ago it was quite the fashion for Americans returning from Europe
to make disparaging remarks concerning the Capitol building, but that
spirit seems to have passed away, and the dignity, grace, and beauty of
its architecture now receive universal commendation.
Prince Henry of Germany remarked of this noble structure: “For Capitol
purposes it surpasses every other building in the world. Its
architectural beauty is most impressive.”
It is not our purpose to give a minute description of the building. We
have said that it faces east, for the founders of the Capitol believed
the city would grow in that direction, but the landholders of early days
asked such high prices that the city began to stretch toward the
northwest, which is to this day the fashionable part for residences,
although Capitol Hill is much more beautiful as to situation.
The base of the building is ninety-seven feet above the river. The
central structure is of Virginia yellow sandstone, which is kept painted
white. The wings are of Massachusetts marble, and the one hundred
columns of the extension porticoes are of Maryland marble.
The building covers three and one-half acres. It is seven hundred and
fifty-one feet long and three hundred and fifty feet wide.
The height of the dome above the rest of the building is two hundred and
fifty-seven feet, and its weight is eight million pounds. This dome is
surmounted by Crawford’s statue of Freedom, nineteen and one-half feet
high, and weighing fifteen thousand pounds. The entire edifice
constitutes the highest public building in America not located on a
mountain, being sixty-eight feet higher than Bunker Hill monument, and
twenty-three feet higher than the steeple of Trinity Church, in New York
City.
Thomas G. Walker resigned his place as architect in 1865, and was
succeeded by the late architect of the Capitol, Mr. Edward Clark, who
died early in 1902. His great work had been to finish the west front
facing the city, and to harmonize the conflicting and foreign tastes of
the many decorators of the building.
Mr. Elliott Wood, the successor of Mr. Clark, had been the latter’s
chief assistant. Mr. Wood had long been virtually in charge of the
Capitol.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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