Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-24
FIRST GOVERNMENT ARCHITECTS.
Address on the Life and Services of
James HOban.

Address ON the Life and Services of
James HOban.
+. ID. Owen, the architect who drew the
plans for the enlargement Of the White
House, talked to the Sons of the American
Revolution of the District few nights ago
on James Hoban, the first government
architect. famous for his work on Washing
ton public buildings, especially the White
House. Hoban was the only architect asso-
ciated with the building of the White
House, and in his remarks Mr.. Owen said
that this beautiful Ionic home of the Pres-
dents was the evolution of the taste and
skill of Hoban. and that a century of expe-
rience in the building of classic styles has
produced no purer results nor in the slight
est degree lowered the exalted standard Of
the building. In exterior and interior work
Mr.; owen thinks that Hoban was wonder.
and he points to the finish of the White
House as a specimen of the wonderful abil-
ity displayed by the first architect.
Mr.. Owens address. which was greatly
enjoyed reviewed the facts leading to the
selection of Washington az the nation $
capital, giving credit to Washington, Ham
alton and Jefferson for their part IN the
matter; to / Enfant, the designer and en-
gineer. and Hoban. the first superintendent
and architect. Washington IS spoken Of as
the dominating spirit in selecting the site;
Hamilton as the politician, VINO aided so
greatly, and Jefferson as the promoter. who
fostered the new capital AMI named 1t after
Washington.
Hoban arrived at GEORGETOWN in the sum-
mer of 1892 from Charleston where he had
been doing excellent work in the designing
of beautiful plantation houses. Hoban's
plans for d home for the President received
a premium Of $500 and were accepted, the
pans of Dr. Thornton and Stephen Hallet
of the Capitol receiving similar reward. In
July. 1892 Hoban was employed, at 300
guineas a year architect and superin-
he
ner stone was laid, October 10 following
Washington was not then in town, having
gone to Philadelphia urgent business
He had fully approved the plans however
After the burning of the White House by
the British in 1914 the building was repaired
from the original drawings of Hoban and
under his direction. Therefore the present
structure has not been changed since Ho-
bans time.
Although employed to make plans of the
Presidents home Hoban's skill attrac ed
the attention of the distinguished men of
that day and his services We're in general
demand He was called into consultation
with Secretary Jefferson, DR.. Thornton and
Mr.. Hailet on the adaptation Of the rlans
for the Capitol. Owing to derections in the
work on the Capitol Hoban was made su-
perintendent Of the building. He laid the
foundations Of the former north and south
WINGS and center of the original structure
HaIlet. the designer. made objections to
Hoban as superintendent, and the contro-
versy led to Hallets retiring leaving Ho-
ban in sole conirpl. In 1877 Hoban was
made superintendent If all executive build
ings to be erected. Hobaa was stlll at work
on the Capitol when Congress held its first
session in Washington. beginning November
II, 1900. In the two years after that i1aban
completed the four original executive Duii,i-
ings, these being the Treasury, State War
and Navy buildings.
Hoban was native Of Ireland, and SET
tied in Charleston when he first came to
this country.