Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-07
OF wASHIs.GTOy
Public Buildings ana Grounds,

r. BabcccE, Superintendent of Public Build
ings ard Grounds, just transmitted to Gen. A.
A. Humphreys, Chief Engineer o. S A:
GENERAL: L have the honor 70 submit the fol
lowing report of the operations on the WORKS
uncer my charge for the fiscal year ending JuBe
30, 1S1i;
care and Improvement of the Public
Grounds
GROUNDS SOUTH OF The EXECUTIVE MANSION.
The work OF filing these grounds TO the grade
OF l5th and ltth streets nas progressed gradual
ly during tie year, and as the appropriation
mace for the purpose would allow. 4 consld-
erable quantity of earth Is deposited ia tn ass
grounds by citizens from excavations maize
from cellars, &C., &c. This, together with sucn
earth ss was satisfactorily purchased, was used
in grading these grounds.
MONUMENT GROUNDS.
Work was commenced on the monument
grounds July /, 1873, and carried forward uutil
TEe appropriation for the sam9 was expended.
with the following results: The high ground
along 18th street and south OF the present road
way was cut down TO the proper grade, the
earth so removed being used for tillng along
18th street, U0rth of the entrance OF the road
way to these grounds.
The graded grounds were rolled, covered
with good soil, and sown with Kentucky blue
grass seed. The main roadway was repaired
and regraveled from time to time in places
where needed, and thus kept in good order. Be-
leviIg il more economical and expeditions 30
form small lake OF that portion of the marsh
lying east of Meridian avenue than TO fill the
same with earth, portion of the muck deposit
and used to form a compost for the dressing OF
the different grounds. This excavation was con-
pleted in September. Connection was made
with the sewer in street, and so arranged
with stop-plank that at low tide the water can
be drawn from the lake. Bountiful springs
were found near the shore of the lake; but 20
insuTe full supply of water the POtOmsc water
was taken from the i4th street supply ppe
This was accomplished by laying 500 feet of
four-inch pipe from 18th street to a position
nearly opposite the Monument, from which
point a thIee-lnch pipe 900 feet) was laid IN
the center of the lake, to which a fountain jet
was attached. During cold weather the ls&e
Termed safe and good skating for children, and
was much enjoyed by them.
SMITHSONIAN GROUNDS.
AS the entire portion Of these grounds south,
and portion north Of the Institute, along l. 4
street, had Lot been graded or improved, work
was first commenced there. This portion was
thoroughly -draIned three-inch tile being
used, ana laid in trenches three feet deep ana
thirty feet apart. These tiles were led into eiX-
inch sewer pipes. which were connected with
the main sewers of the city in 7Ch and 12tn
streets. The entire grounds above mentioned
were graded covered with good soil, and sOwn
with Kentucky blue grass seed. AS the part of
the grounds so graded is about one third OF the
entire square, it required the moving of great
number OF cubic yards of earth. 1t is now ready
for the construction of the walks and for plant
ing line Of six-inch sewer pipe was laid
along the north line Of these grounds from 1871
to 7th streets, and connected with the main
sewer OF the city at the lsst.named street "r''
pieces were put in at proper distances TO receive
lateral drains from the ground formerly occupied
by the Old canal, which is now part of these
grounds. The gravel wa X leading from the Insti-
tute north to 10th street was taken up and relaid
with asphalt. This walk is t1e most used by
the public, and after rains, and in the spring,
was at times almost impossible. 1t is now IN
good condition at all times OF the year. A thir
teen-inch water main running through these
grounds was tapped near the center of the
grounds, and tour inch pipe run east to ltn
street. From this pipe lateral branches OF two
inch pipe were run to Il street south, two hun
dred feet apart, and stop-cocks and valves were
put in at proper distances to afford easy irriga-
tion when needed. The four-inch pipe was
connected with the sewer in 7Ch street with a
stop cock, go that the water can be drawn
from the pipes la the winter when they are
not in use, in order to prevent their being des-
trOyed by the freezing of the water. When
making connection with the twelve-iHch main,
ssix-inch pipe was laid west few feet, thus
obyiatiDg the necessity of again making con
nection 10 this main to supply fountains, if it
should subsequently be decided to build them.
iemos ed; the material Of any valuesbeiDg taken
to the monument grounds and stored. The
roadsays aid walks in the improved portion
Of these grounds have been kept free from
weeds, and the trees have been properly
trimmed and are in good condition.
ARMoRY SQUARE.
In this square the grading has been COM
pleted, with the exception of q small portion
near the railroad depot. The portion graded
was covered with good soil, and sown with blue.
grass seed, narrowed in and rolled. The old
FENCES surrounding 1t were removed, and taken
TO the Monument grounds, and row OF hedge
along the line of the old canal was removed,
thus giving this square a better and much more
extended appearance. The surplus earth taken
from these grounds was used in filling the reser.
yatlon Just opposite. AS the brick building in
this square, known as the "Armory building
~ CID, unsightiy, and contracts the appearance
or the grounds, recommend that authority be
gwen to sell the same at public auction, the
proceeds to be used in or namenting the grounds.
For this reason have not included any SUN Tor
their Improvement in my estimates for the next
fiscal year.
RESERVATIONS BETWEEN THIRD AND SIXTH
sTRsK KTs.
The Board Of Public Works having raised the
grade Of Missouri and Maine avenues several
feet, these reservations are so far below grade
that they became nulssnces, from the fact OF
their collecting the drainage from the higher
grounds around, forming pools OF stagnsut
water very Injurious to the public health. In
preparation for these reservatiOns was expended
for earth to ELI these low places.
JUDICIARY SQUARE.
The old wooden buildings on this square.
formerly occupied by the government rs hos
pitfalls and later by the Women's Christian As
socianon, were sold August Il, 1873, but were
not entirely removed uutil November, at which
time the improvement 0f the square was coIn-
menced; the cub drainage being the first WORK
done. brick sewer funs diagonaily through
this squsre from g anG Fifth streets to L and
Fourth streets, built TO- the purpose of draining
the jail, the City Hail building, and for Other
purposes. Connection was made with this
terra Gotta pipe was laiG along the north iiue of
the square to the fer ce surrounding the iail
FROM this pipe lines of three-inch tile were laid
three feet deep and thirty feet apart aud run
ming to Louisiana aveJue. From the couue,-
ton at street a six-inch terra Gotta pipe
was run west go feet. Into this, lines of three
inch tile, thirty feet apart, were run south to
Louisiana avenue, and north to the Jail yard
fence. The thEee inch tile was laid three feet
deep, and TIE six inch sewer at a depth to Sc
cure the necessary fall TO secure rapid drainage
In the construction of this aiming 652 feet
OF elk inch sewer pipe, and q, 3,115 feet of three
inch tile were used. For the purpose OF irriga-
tion and to supply fountains, three lines OF four
inch water pipe, each $50 feet long. were led
into this square from 9th street. Along each
one Of these lines, at intervals of 2eO feet line
OF two inch pipe was laid on each side 100 feet
from the main line, and at right angles to it, at
the ends OF which, angle valves are to be at
tached, SO that every part of the grounds except
what Is occupied by the jail, can be thoroughly
irrigated by using hose seventy five feet In
length. To accomplish this $50 feet of four
inch, and 2 ,26o feet Of two inch cast iron pipe
was used. A large quantity Of earth was hauled
into these grounds by the Board of Public
works, and it was used in grading the low
places. The entire grounds were rough graded.
and part OF the walks staked out in readiness
for excavation. Large quantities of loose stones
were plowed up while the grading was going