The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-12
THE STATE-HOUSE PLAZA.
The Advantages To Be Derived from Provid-
ing 1t with Grounds of Adequate Size.

The suggestion in Sundays Journal that the
State should buy the unoccupied or. cheaply
built ground between Tennessee street and the
alley east of it, and from the alley north of
Washington to that north of market-a square,
and the width of Market in length, by half
square and the width of Tennessee street in
width-so as to make space proportional to
the magnitude of the building in front of it,
from which its full extent could be seen, brought
to the mind of an Indianapolitan who has seen
most Of the celebrated buildings in Europe, that
the lack Of just such free front area greatly
damages some of them. The view of West
minister Abbey, and of Notre Dame Church in
Paris is greatly impaired by the buildings
about them. Neither stands out free and alone
as it should, like st. Paul's in London or the Mi
Ian Cathedral. These can be seen all round, st.
Pauls having its own ground and q street around
that, much as the old Governors House in the
Circle once had and the great 'Duomo" having
a magnificent piazza" or open square in front,
and streets around the sides and rear. The
Cathedrals of Florence and Pisa show to fine ad-
vantage from the same freedom from obstruc-
ton, as also the remains of the Coliseum and the
Church of Santa Maria Maggeori, at Rome. But
St. Peters, the grandest of them ALL is, from a
lack of open area, probably the least impressive
of them all. In the north the Vatican is built
right against it, closely that private door lets
the Pope pass from one to the other. 1t over
tops the north gallery and the elliptical colon
made; doors open directly into it from them, so
that they look as if they belonged to its rregu-
lar square masses more than to the great temple;
and large ecclesiastical and secular buildings
cover it on the SOUTH so that nothing is seen
but the facade, and thar, huge as it is, seems
squeezed into disproportion by its surroundings.
1t is the most striking instance in the world Of
the value of free space about great building.
The Pantheon is but little better, or but very
lately SO. AS it is, all of them but the front is
as rough stone or brickwork as a cellar wall,
the abutmeut of White river bridge. because it
is not and was never expected to be
exposed. Our State-house would not be
so badly off as Agrippa's temple or Michael
Angeles masterpiece. even If 1t should show no
clearer view than could be got from its own con-
fined and inadequate grounds and the adjacent
streets. But it would appear to infinitely
greater advantages with a.clear sweep Of
five hundred feet from north to SOUTH and
nearly as much more from east to west, in front
of it. The position would be better than that of
any celebrated European edi6ce except possibly,
ST. Pauls. The ground required for this really
judicous addition is largely vacant or occupied
by Indifferent structures. except the State Lii
brary building, and two or three residences on
the north side of Market street, none OF them
costly and all together worth a good deal less
than the State buildings which will have to be
sold sometime.