The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-09-28
THE PATENT OFFICE
History and Character of the Building

The Interior Department, generally de-
signed as the Patent Office, was commence
ed to be erected about 1889. The first
appropriation for it was made July 4, 1886.
The Act of that year appropriated $685.
900 to begin the building, which, in the
language of the Act. was to be e-proof
with suitable accommodation for the
Patent Office. How far fre-proof it was
the record of to-day will show. The total
appropriations for the Patent Office build
ing amounts to $2,645, 800 1t is not too
much to say that the Injury done to the
building by the fire of to-day will amount
to Sl,0OO,00O. This vast structure, which
was nearly ruined, is known as the Patent
Oihce Building, although the Patent Office
Is only single Bureau in the Interior De-
partment. The structure receives its de-
signauon of Patent Office for the reason
that the building, around which the Inte-
rlor centres, was originally constructed for
the Patent Office ten years before the Int,
rlor Department was organized The
Interior Department which occupies the
building, includes the Indian Office, Bureau
of Education, Patent Office, Pension Office
Land Office, Bureau of Surveyors of the
Territories and various minor bureaus un-
der the charge of the Interior Department.
The records of everything relating to
patents, pensions, public lands, Indians,
census, education, benevolent societies of
the District o. Columbia, and railroad
land grants, are for the most part located
in this building.
The Patent Office occupies the entire
square, bounded on the east by seventh,
and on the west by Ninth.sts, on the south
by +, and on the north by G.sts. The
building Is located on the place in the gov
ernmeut reservation, originally designated
Tor the National Church or Mansoleum
The space covered by the bulldog is about
three acres. The main portion of the
structure Is OF Virginia free-stoDe. 1t was
completed IN 1864 under the charge of Ed
ward Clark, the present architect of the
Capitol. The building is in the form of a
quadrangle, incloslng large square The
new portions OF the building were faced
on the outside with Maryland marble. and
on the inside, fronting the court, with New
England granite. The structure was mod
eIied 10 part after the Pantheon. Art
critics have described the Interior Depart
ment as one of the most majestic structures
in Washington. The southern front of the
Treasury has more architectural grace, but
the advantage of the Patent Office is that
from any point it imDresses one with its
grandeur. In outward appearance the fire
has left slight trace, as the exterior walls
do not seem to be seriously injured. The
entire building is of pure Doric architec-
ture, strong, simple, majestic.
This fire brings to mind its previous
experience. 10 1914 it escaped destruc-
ton while the Capital was in possession of
British force. 1t was then under the
same roof with the general Post Office.
It's burning was at that time delayed by
the circumstances of its superintendent,
and ultimately prevented by a tornado
which passed over the city and dispersed
the British. But the fate was only delav-
ed. On the night of December 15-l6.
1886, a fire broke out which utterly de.
stroyed all the models and papers of the
Patent Office. Some of the postal propertv
alone vas saved. The utter blank of ali
Government records on the subject of in
ventiOns back of 1885,, is frequently refer
to IN patent suits, and has often added to
their intricacy and unsatisfactory results.
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