The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-02-23
Tile COLUMBIAN. BLOOMSBURY, PA.
NEEDS A LARGER PARK
States Handsome Capitol Build.
ing Hidden In the rlidst of
Harrisburg's Streets.


burg. and it is stated in high state
circles that there is no doubt of its
passage or of the governors approval
OF the bill as presented by Mr.. Fox
In fact, the statement has been made
by officials that the sooner the work is
started the better, for Just that soon
the capitol will be given setting
which will be adequate and which will
enable the people to see the beauties
of the structure.
The bill has been the subject of
much discussion and not few news
paper articles. some of which have
misrepresented conditions surrounding
the bill and the project. AS matter
of fact, these have been baseless. and
there is now no opposition to the legis.
lative enactment of the bill into a law.
The project for the enlargement OF
the park Is not new one. 1t has been
urged for years by every man who has
visited Harrisburg and noted the
small park with which the state hls
surrounded its expensive official build
ings. Even while the old capitol, the
colonial structure which wcs destroyed
IN the fire cf February 2, 1897, stood
there were many who urged that a
larger tract be taken to afford a good
vantage Tor the building. Now that the
state has appropriated over $4.500. 900
to complete the building which shcl.
ters the legislature and state Offices
there Is a demand for a larger park
so that the superb state house can be
seen. There are few handsomer buill-
ings in the country, certainly no state
capitol that can surpass it for graceful
proportions and wealth of architec-
tural detail. The building Is as great
in circumference as st. Peters in
Rome, yet can scarcely be seen. be-
cause it is hidden in the centre of al
active, bustling city. To get a proper
view, one which will afford a chance
to appreciate its beauties, person
must so into the country, and of course
that is neither advantageous nor con
venient The building is destined to be
the pride of a state, and there should,
in the opinion of those who have seen
other state capitos and who have
studied such matters, be something
done at once to give better surround
ings.
The capitol is set in the midst of a
small park. but it is so shaped that
on the east and west the building is
close to the streets. On the west side
there is more chance to see the build
iter L., ,1r
feet and is approached by a broad
flight Of steps. This affords an i'm.
pressiye view at close range. A block
away the view is seriously circum-
scribed, and only part of the build
ing can be seen Extension of this
side would be exceedingly expensive.
rs the best part OF Harrisburg, the
leading churches. the finest residences
and many institutions, possessing or
namental buildings, are located there.
This side, however, furnishes an eX.
ample Of what failure to take ad-
vantage of an opportunity sometimes
costs. Eighty years ago this very sec
tion between the park and the Sus-
quehanna was offered to the state for
$50, 900, Now it could not be bought for
five or six millions.
Happily the east side is Just the
reverse. 1t is on this part that it is
proposed to take in some 20 city blocks
for extension of the park. The capitol
on this side rises almost from the
houseline 10 the height OF 200 feet or
so, and can not be seen TO any advan-
tage. There is only one place from
which decent glimpse can be OBJ
tanned, and that is from a bridge some
distance away, and it does not give
like satisfactory view. The
blocks which are crossed by four
streets running each way and some
alleys are among the poorest in Har-
risburg. Some of the alleys contain
small, rickety buildings. and the gen.
eral character of the houses is poor.
and TO acquire them will not take
much trouble or money. In fact. their
removal would be good thing. The
of this section of the city
to the capitol has caused more than
one legislator in years gone by to
wish that something could be done to
add 1t to the park, and now is the
time, before improvements are made
to streets and when values are low.
In few years it will take much
larger sum than now estimated, and