National Republican., 1879-09-26
THE NATIONAL FAIR GROUNDS.


Those public-spritcd citizens of the city |
of Washington who conceived the enter
prise of providing the National Capital with |
National Fair Ground of such magnitude |
and character as will WIN public admira- |
ton, and who are executing the design with |
an energy that promises early success, are |
entitled to unqualified respect. 1t was
SWIFT who evolved the sentiment that |
whoever could make two cars of corn or
two blades of grass to grow upon n spot of |
ground where only one grew before would |
deserve better of mankind and do more |
essential service to his country than the |
whole race of politicians put together, aud |
he was, perhaps, abstrctly correct though
rather hard on the politicians The pro-
prieloIs and architects of the National Fair
Grounds may not duplicate ears of corn or
blades of grass but they are converting the
locality known rs Ivy City into ga thing
"of beauty, which is joy forever"
They are rapidly changing the as
pccts Of n purely rural locality TO
a beautiful and attractive place of resort
which adds another to the attractive sur
roundings of the National city. The public
press has tecmed with notices of this enter
prise and accounts of its progress toward
completion for weeks, but no adequate con-
ccption of the work in hand, the rapidity
with which it is being pushed to consum-
nation, and what it is destined to dc, with
out personal inspectionbf the premises and
Il careful examination of the plans and de-
signs connected Herewith. Au hour spent
in the grounds now under process of trans
formation has brought something like an
intelligent understanding of what the place
has been, is now, and will be When the plans
and designs are fully executed. The lOcl-
ton is peculiarly adapted 10 ma Ike the place
one of unequaled beauty and attraction. Its
topography is exceedingly favorable, being
of basin formation, with ground rising on
all sides rs IN anlphitheatre, which renders
ii highly picturesque and very charming
TO the eye. We know of no view more de-
lightful than that enjoyed by taking in the
whole surrounding scenery from the emil
ncncc where the clubhouse is located, and
which will soon be transformed into
cOlDtlJ cNluct.
As THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN has
already dealt somewhat literally with the
plans and purposes of the association, we
will merely refer to the present coudition
and future prospects of the fair ground
The Main Exhibition building, which is 12O
feet square, is Of that peculiar architectural
design which marked the Centennial
buildings at Philadelphia Its capacity
may be Judged when we state that it will
have 15,ODO feet of floor surface. The brick
walls are now up, and the sllperstructure,
which is of wood, is in process Of rapid
construction. On the south Of the main
exhibition building, 1!5 feet distant there
from, will he Machinery Hall. This build
ing is TO he 20 by 22j fect-the front part
10 be two stories, the second story to be ar
ranged rs Offices, Nc, for the use of the
association. The stable for exhibition stock
Is to be erected lbs feet east Of Machinery
Hall, and 10 be 10 by 2GO feet, and to con-
taiu fifty boX stalls, ranging on each side OF
hall ! feet wide, extending along the
centre the entire length Of the building
the building TO he of brick, aud of a very
neat style Of architecture. The stables for
the racing horses will probably be in the
vicinity of the Exhibition stable, though
| the location has not been definitely settled.
| They win number about twenty buildings
/ when the design is fully carried out, and
will accommodate stud ranging from
! 20 t0 100 horses.
! The Grand stand will line the southeast
1 portion of the track, and will be 300 feet
/ long By 30 feet wide, with seating capacity
| for 5000 spectators.
The Art Building will he 81 by ~ feet
Que story high, and will be divided into
four rooms 20 feet square, with q room in
! the centre % By - feet. 1t will be lighted
/ from the sky, leaving MI the wall surface
! for utility.
The track Is being pushed with energy,
and will be ready for use within two weeks.
When completed il will be among the very
best on the continent.
Ia the rear Of the Clubhouse is grove
I Of lye acres Of patriarchal oak, hickory aud
chestnut, which is capable of easy improve
mcnt, and which will afford cool retreat
in summer from the sun, where visitors, and
oven picnic parties, can enjoy themselves,
under the regulations of the company.
Every arrangement will be made as early
rs practicable for the convenience and COM
fort of visitors in this delightful shade OF
tho native forest,
The avenues and drives are now being
laid out for improvement The main ave
nue will commence at the intersection or
! Lnrnninns Of the BrentMoOd rond nL lLl