Since writing about the fountain back in May, new information has come to light which changes the timeline of how the western part of the Capitol grounds had developed. It was previously thought that the fountain was one of the last architectural features to erected, it is now known that that was actually the first. … More Part 4(f) rewrite – The Fountain, Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
When Frederick Law Olmsted created his initial plan for the East Plaza in 1874, he had intended for a seated, iron trellis to be placed along one of the principle walks on the north side of the grounds, near the Delaware Avenue entrance. Like the waiting stations, a second trellis was erected in the same … More Part 4(a) still continued – Iron Trellis, The East Plaza, Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
While Thomas Wisedell was designing the lampposts for the East Plaza during the fall of 1874 and spring of 1875, he was also tasked with creating two bronze flagpoles. These were shown on the plan of the Capitol grounds rendered by Wisedell in September 1874 and were to be located on the triangular plots near the … More Part 4(a) still continued – Unbuilt Flagpoles, The East Plaza, Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
The boundary wall connecting the two entrances including the ornate drinking fountain at the center of the entire scheme was finally erected in 1881. It is this later date that is of interest since it helps explain why the fountain exhibits a different style than the rest of the decorative stonework Wisedell designed for the … More Part 4(f) – The Fountain, Washington, D.C.
While Thomas Wisedell was busy preparing the map of Olmsted’s plan in the summer and fall of 1874, he was also designing the architectural features for the plaza on the east side of the Capitol building. During that period, existing buildings were removed and work had begun on regrading the property and laying gas and … More Part 4(a) – The East Plaza, Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
In March of 1873, Congress voted to extend the size of the grounds surrounding the U. S. Capitol building and Edward Clark, the Architect of the Capitol, was asked to design a plan for the expanded grounds. Clark immediately declined, stating, “not having any practice or pretensions to skill as landscape gardener, I earnestly recommend … More Part 4 – The Capitol Grounds, Washington, D.C.
The Architecture of Thomas Wisedell 