National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-07
SWAI'HED IN BUNTING
HOW THE AVENUE WAS DECORATED.
A 2rofusiOn Of Flags and Streamers in Honor Of a
Great Occasion-The State Arches and
Elaborate Decorations at the
White House.

decorations, the city on Friday fairly bloomed in
bunting. The city was never so extensively and
beautifully decorated. Even the Washington Mon
ument was graeed with flags and streamers, and
away up at the top were huge letters, G. and W., in
red and blue. Every advantage was taken
of the opportunities offered by the countless pill
lars of the State, War, and Navy Department build
ing for effective decoration. The Treasury build
ing, the Department of Justice, and other public
buildings were profusely decorated. The most
tasteful and elaborate decoration was that on the
Pension Office building. These decorations were
designed by Mr.. Cash Thomas.
The executive grounds were most deliberately
decorated with rows of small sreamers and Chi
nese lanterns The portico was also handsomely
adorned with flags, monograms and patriotic de-
signs.
PRIVATE DECORATIONS.
The decorations of the business houses and pTi-
waite residences were highly complimented by the
throngs of strangers. The business men on the
Avenue seemed to have spared neither time nor
money in their displays. Among those most
prominent were the displays made by Adams Ex-
press Company. The buildiHg-was completely hid
den with flags; two long streamers. running from
the ground to the roof were fastened at each side
just over the door was large painting, represent
ing man showing a push-cart containing
large trunk, on one side, and Oh the
other a traveller was seen making his
way as best he could under the weight of large
carpet bag, and in the centre was handsome
baggage car. This with the ulsaner in which the
flags and bunting were arranged made a very eff
fective scene. The Monument House, just oppo-
site the Peace Monument looked very unique, as
also did the Washington House, McDermott Il
Bros, Burgdorf, and Henry Lees. All of these
places had large flags tastefully draped over the
front of the buildings and from every window
protruded countless smaller flags and banners
The Police Headquarters made very extensive
display of flags evergreen, bunting, and BAN
nerS, and the manner in which they were
arranged caused universal admiration. Frank
Humes, just opposite, was adorned with
some ofthe handsomest flags seen on the Avenue.
Almost every establishment in this locality to
some extent festooned with gay banners and Ma
tional emblemS. The National Metropolitan, and
st. James Hotels presented very fine appearance,
zach window being provided with flag, and the
balconies being covered with large American flags
and guidons. z. D. Gilman's building attracted
considerable attention for the artistic manner in
which the draperes were hung. The balcony
was festooned with four large flags, caught up grace
fully with garlands of evergreen, and in the centre
of each loop picture of the President Vice PreSi
dent, or a shield was fastened. The ST. Marc Hotel
and the American House were cOnspicuouSly
decked with flags and streamers of varied colors.
The monster building of William B. Moses was
dimly visible through countless flags of all nations
and flowing clouds of bunting. Market Space was
a of brilliant colors of every description, al
most every building being covered from the ground
to the roof with every imaginable device in the
way elaboration. J. W. Drews drug store looked
more like lovely bower than nasty physic shop,
it being almost hidden from view by the rich
folds Of American banners.
The white marble of the Columbia Club building
Stnd IL with fba c,1o nf
streamers and bunting, which hung in graceful
folds all around it. NJ William, Shuster Bros, the
Boston Dry Goods House, Taylor Il Hufty, Mitchell
& Martin, A T. Whiting, the Chesapeake, and in
fact nearly all of the buildings between Ninth and
Tenth streets presented gorgeous aspect. The
Office of the Washington Post was so changed in ap
pearance that one would hardly think that this
had been Democratic stronghold. Flags and
banners in pvoflsion graced every portion of the
exterior and in the angle of the build
ing stood gilt figure of Mercury, holding
aloft an electric light. At the windows of the
American Press Association were fastened gas
jets forming an anchor star, shield, cross and
globe On the south side OF the Avenue between
Tenth and Eleventh streets, great taste had been
displayed in the decorations, Harveys white iron
front forming pretty background to show off the
brilliant hues of the flowing trimmings. The
usual dismal appearance of the Office of the EreRing
festooned with long garands of evergreen and
variegated flags and bunting. In the centre
of the Avenue front was fastened a large red
white, and blue star, with the letter s" in the
centre, thus presenting u bright and attractive
picture. The Office of the Republic opposite,
looked quite gay. the colors of our national ban
nerS and portraits of the President and Vice
President forming lovely contrast with the white
marble Of the front. Calls building was tastefuly
xrifI buu in
that showed TO a good advantage. From
Twelfth to Thirteenth streets, on both sides
of the Avenue, was one continuous line of
large and small flags and Streamers of
every description. The stands that had been
erected were completely covered with red white
and blue fabrics THE REPUBLICAN, office was taste
fully ornamented with American flags, remnants,
and streamers, In the centre of which was shield
bearing the coat of arms of the District of Column
bia. In front of the business Office a stand was
erected, which was gayly decked with large flags
and red, white. and blue bunting. Suspended
across line Avenue waSa Garfield and Arthur ban
ner the only one flying over the route of process
sion.
The National Theatre Imperial Hotel and all
the adjacent buildings presented neat and at
tractiYe appearance. Wizards Hotel and the head
quarters of the New York Republican Association
were decorated with flags and remnants of great
National Bank were festOoned with garlandS hung
from the roof to the ground surrounded with flags
and bunting, with pictures of George Wash
ington and a Continental soldier fastened
between the windows. The Riggs House
looked exceedingly well with flags of all nations
iutting out from the windows. and several large
American enSigns draped over the portico At the
corner of New York avenue, and as far as the eye
could reach, a sight of perfect grandeur pre-
II. l
residences were decorated. Connecticut avenue,
street. Massachusetts avenue, and Ninth
streets, were particularly attractive. Even the
peanut vendors had their carts aud wagons orna-
mented with the National colOrs. julius Langs-
burgs store on Seventh street was most deliberately
decorated.
TIE STATE ARCHES.
The decorating of Pennsylvania avenue was en-
trusted to a committee headed By Lieutenant F.
V. Greene, and that gentleman. together with Mr..
L. Noxey, in whom the chairman found an able
aud willing assistant, exercised general super
vision over the work.
The grand Union arch al the corner of Fifteenth
street and Pennsylvania avenue, with its gothic
towers colored windows, and emblematic designs
elected great admiration.
At first a very elaborate plan adopted, but
owing 10 the expense it involved it was modified.
The modified plan for the decorations left
grounds between it and the Avenue, the grand
trumphal arch and the thirty eight smaller
arches representing each State in the Union.
The framework of these arches is of
gas-pipe iron, and made by Messrs. Basshor &
S.ebbius, of Baltimore, Md. The size of the spans
vary i'll accordance with the width of the streets,
and are from thirty eight II ffty-three feet The
contract for decorating them was awarded to Mr..
J. Il. ScheiJle. of Philadelphia, Pa, gentleman
Of extended experience in this kind of work.
There is a similarity 10 the dressing of the arches
which could not be avoided in consequence of the
manner in which the wOtk had to be per-
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