Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-20
TO BEAUTIFY WASHINGTON
Some Pertinent Suggestions on
Landscape.

the proposed site of Union Square in its
relation to the entire District the present
city, and the various parks and groups of
public buildings of which 1t must neces-
sarily become part and with which 1t
ought to be in appropriate and harmonious
relations
The principal argument in favor of the
suggested location of this square Is
the remarkable combination of advantages
that the site affords to establish a new,
important and symmetrical center for the
future and greater city that is growing up
north of the old Boundary, now Florida
avenue a center analogous to the various
foci or ganglia that such conspicuous
features both of the present city and of
every great capital city in the civilized
world. Granting the Importance and de-
STABILITY of such center, 1t seems evident
that 1t must be located on the line of one
or more great avenues: that it must be
well within the District limits; that the
site itself must be adapted naturally to
serve such a purpose and that the adjacent
streets and avenues should be planned in
such way as to add the necessary dignity
and Importance. That all of these condi-
tons are admirably met in the present
case will. it Is thought, be clearly shown by
tie accompanying maps and the following
discussion of the subject.
AS to the use to which such a square
may be put in the future, if to any use
other than the adornment of the city and
the pleasure of the public, that is ques-
ton that the future alone can decide, but
to the present writer it seems that it would
make an admirable site for the erection of
the proposed handsome new building for
the bureau of American republics,
country home for the President, some
other equally important public building.
Elevated as 1t is about $50 feet above the
White House. four miles due north along
the broad handsome avenue called 10th
street-a name that it Is here proposed to
change to United States avenue'-and &C
cessible also by the picturesque winding
1ri1- -
Home, it would seem already to be an ideal
site for the purpose. and every year will
add to its accessibility and Importance
Argument for Union Square.
The map itself seems to supply strong
arguments in favor of Union square," es-
pecially to those who are acquainted with
the city and the region to the northward
United States avenue" 06th street, is one
of the broadcast and handsomest streets in
the city, we'll worthy of the name United
States because Of it's central and COM
handing location. Che other avenues are
named after the various states individually
and this one might we'll be named after
them all collectively. The land for it's ex-
tension at its full width of 100 feet to the
extreme northerly limit of the District has
been already bought and paid for and its
actual extension toward Union square"
Is now well under way. To the west, for
several miles of it's length it is bordered
by ROCK Creek Park, and 1t will form
magnificent promenade and driveway from
the White House and Lafayette square four
miles due north to and around Union
square" and two miles beyond to the Dis
trict line
The Importance that the founders of the
city attached to 10th street is shown by the
original L'Enfant map, copy of which is
given in the Senate committees report
page II. That map seems to represent
three parks, or open spaces, on the center
street between La re
and Boundary (Florida avenue), where there
is now but one, Scott circle, as there is
another circle shown at Q street and a
long rectangle between r and s. about as
large as Lafayette square itself. The park
commission expressly states its apprecia-
ton of and desire to follow as closely as
possible the original map, and often refers
to the Importance of this street,