Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1884-08-22

Deservasf ons-Pnrks. Stat1ary. foun-
Gaim1, etc.


In the original plan of the city lib
eral allowance of space was set apart IN
the most desirable localities for sites OF
public buildings, for parks and other
purposes. These grounds were selected
BY General Washington himself. and
called reservations. seventeen IN mum
lber, having an aggregate of OH acres.
lSome of them were disposed of and
lothers purchased, leaving at present
about 5I3 acres.
The grounds originally designed for a
park around the capitol seems TO have
been amply sufficient for the purpose,
but the government at an early period
lin strait to complete the President 3
house very unwisely sold off several
acres. When an enlargement OF the
lcapitol was determined upon In 1880, 1t
was at once seen that the grounds We're
too small Two suggestions tor enlarge
ment were made IN congress; one by
Daniel Webster was on most extern
sive scale, proposing the purchase of
three squares at the north and three at
the south. Another by Stephen A.
Douglas was to secure two squares at
the north and two at the south neither
of which were adopted at the time, but
subsequently, in the year 1873, the plan
of Douglas was, by accident, carried
out at cost of 1854 900, SO that now
the grounds contain 51a acres. The
steep hill which formerly rendered
travel diff cult at the north and south
sides, was graded down and the grounds
leveled up which now present quite
smooth and even surface. The tall iron
fence, which was placed all around the
park at an early day, was removed and
| the grounds were ornamented in most
artistic manner with trees, shrubbery
flower plats, mosaic foot-walks, concrete
pavements for carriages, fountains,
summer houses and statuary. The view
from the east front of the capitol, where
the President is inaugurated. Is pro
nounced by the most competent JUDGES,
to excel in beauty and picturesqueness
that OF the approaches to any other
public building in the world. Carriages
are allowed to approach only the east
front steps by concrete pavement
300 feet wide. At the east side of this
broad pavement is colossal statue OF
George Washington in a sitting posture,
executed by Horatio Greenough. 1t
was ordered by congress in 1892, and
was originally designed for the rotunda
of the capitol, but its enormous pro-
portions rendered it unsuited for such
a position. 1t was then placed in the
center of the east park and since re-
moved to its present place. 1t was
eight years in completion. weighs twelve
tons, if erect would be twelve feet high,
and the entire cost, $4,000. A few
feet from the west steps of the capitol
is statue of Chief Justice Marshall
unveiled in May last, also In sitting
posture There are three or four or
namental fountains upon the grounds,
and one drinking fountain at the head
of the first flight of steps leading from
the western park to the capitol. This
water is conducted through pipes some
two miles from spring near Howard
University: the supply is abundant,
cool and pure. The waste water falls
into large oval basin, in which gold
fish are constantly playing about, at
tracing much attention from visitors
In addition 20 the grounds attached
to public buildings, most of which have
been described in that connection, there
are number of beautiful squares i'm
proved as parks in various parts OF the
city. Lafayette square, Immediately In
front of the Presidents house on the
north side of Pennsylvania avenue, is
tastefully laid out with gravelled walks
and rustic seats to rest the wearled
stroller through the grounds, and is
adorned with shrubbery, trees and
flowers in great variety. Two bronze
vases of antique design, seven feet high, |
weighing /, 300 pounds each, stand on
the east and west sides of the square |
In the center of this square is Clark |
Mills's equestrian statue of Andrew |
j Jackson, originally contracted for by |
the Jackson monument association IN |
1913, who subscribed $4,000 towards |
paying for it, but being unable to raise |
the amount necessary to complete it, |
the statue was donated to the govern |
ment, and in 1853 congress had it |
mounted on marble pedestal and or
namented with brass cannon. 1t weighs |
fifteen tons; total cost, $50, 900. This |
statue has been subjected to much crit
ton, which is mainly owing to the fact
that it is self-supporting that is, the
rearing horse needs no supporting rods
to keep it in position. as required by all
the other noted equestrian statues OF
the world The tail and hind parts Of
the horse and all back of the center of
gravity. are cast solid and heavy as pos
sible, while the front parts are hollow
and light. 1t is thus nicely poised,
though presenting rather an ungainly
appearance.
Franklin square, some two or three
squares north of east from the Pres
ident's house, was purchased by the
government in 1929 in order to secure
the control of a fine spring, the waters
Of which, as early as 1882 were convey
ed in pipes to the Presidents house
and executive Offices, and is
still used there for drinking purposes.
This square is handsomely ornamented
with trees, shrubs and flowers, and in
the center is small fountain and also
several drinking fountains at different
points.
Farragut square, on Connecticut ave-
hue. some two or three squares to the
northwest of the Presidents house, is
beautifully laid out Here was erected
in 1881, the colossal bronze statue of
Admiral Farragut, at a cost of $1,000.
Scott square, three or tour squares due
north of the Presidents house, contains
he bronze statue of General Scott,
erected in 1874 at a cost of $4,000.
Rawlins square, southwest of the
b,,So &c hoaufifI.lly laid