Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-01-26
la State Capitol Building 1t will appear when complete
CAPITOL PARK TOO SMALL
Beauties of States Magnificent
Building Hidden.

A project which is occupying the at
tention of many of the members OF
the state legislature and which bids
fair to be one of the most important of
the session which began at Harrisburg
a few days after the commencement of
the new year is that Of extending the
capitol park so that the states mag
nificent new state house can be given
a setting commensurate with its archi-
tectural beauty and so that, literally
speaking, it can be seen.
This building, which is to cost over
81 500, 600, Is planned to outdo in its
lines and details any state building in
the country. As eminently befitting
the official house of the government of
the great keystone State it has been
planned on majestic lines and in addi-
ton to imposing appearance lasting
and beautiful material, it is to be strik-
ing in its wealth Of detail. The posi-
tion IL has in Harrisburg would be
commanding and unsurpassed save
possibly by the national capitol at
Washington were it not set in the
midst of a city.
The capitol stands upon a hill, which
rises from eight to 20 feet above the
pavements of Harrisburg's highways.
On top Of a great building, covering
thousands Of square feet and over
quarter Of a mile around, there is the
white granite dome which can be pic
tured from the work already finished.
From Just two points can this superb
pile. which has aroused the interest OF
architects all over America and Eu-
rope. be seen to be admired and even
those views are circ6mscribed. On one
side the capitol is set back some dis
tance from a street; on the other it
rises a sheer seven storied structure
from a narrow street, carved window
frames. gargoyIe and balustrade visible
only by cranning ones neck toward
the sky.
The points of vantage from which
10 view the building are the two ends
OF State street, one of which is pre-
sented here On the west side, toward
the wide Susquehanna, the capitol is
reached by a stately flight of steps,
hanked by fountains and beds of flow
ers, but even on this side the view is
limited. From a distance of a block
not one-half of the building can be
seen and the view is anything but sat
lsfying, positively disappointing. TO
enlarge the view on this side would
take many millions of dollars, for in
the section between the capitol and
the river are the leading churches of
the city and its chief residential sec
ton, the place of handsome and costly
homes.
On the east side, where it is pro-
posed that the state buy to afford
setting which is urged by architects
and which It is apparent to anybody
ls needed If the building is to be seen
TO advantage, conditions are altogether
different Four streets running north
and south and as many crossing them
at right angles with several small,
narrow alleys are proposed to be
bought up and abandoned, the build
lngs to be removed to make park.
This part of Harrisburg is the reverse
OF what 1t is on the other side Of the
capitol. In the area bounded by North,
Walnut and Fourth streets and the
Pennsylvania railroad there are many
buildings which the enterprising state
capital city will never miss and some
with which It would gladly part. The
splendid building towers high above
Fourth street, rising almost from the
house line. From the other north
and south streets beyond the building
Is visible in sections. State street
gives only a partial view of the white
house Of government and how far from
satisfying 1t is can be gathered from
one OF the accompanying pictures.
This is the only place from which the
capitol can be seen on the east side.
The advantages of extension OF the
view point are obvious to anyone.
When 1t is remembered that in beauty
Of outline, decoration and material
this capitol will rank almost alone in
the country the effect Of leaving it
without a setting will appeal to those
who take a pride in the state and
would have it rank first in all things.
AS To the other thoroughfares be-
side State street their character can
best be Judged by the accompanying
views OF South alley and similar mar
row, ill-built highways which have to
be paved to keep them clean. They
contain novels, soap factories and grim
blackened industrial plants, the very
embodiment OF unloveliness in a city
and which the progressive city could
very we'll spare None Of these prop
critics will cost much, their owners
will part with them although many
are homes, to see the state capitol
properly placed. To those members Of
the legislature who have inspected the
section which it is proposed be added
to the park the project has strongly
appealed and on every side are heard
words Of encouragement in this move
to care for the states finest public
building.