Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05

WASHINGTON AS THE VISITOR SEES 1T TODAY


areas recommended by the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission within the Dis
trict Important links have been purchased for
the proposed Fort drive, which will ultimately
connect the Civil War FORTS once located on
the commanding hills overlooking Washington.
Pathways in nearby Maryland have also been
acquired and are being developed under the
direction of the Maryland National Capital
Park and Planning Commission which was
1eated by the Maryland Legislature to CO.
operate with the planning body of the Federal
City.
One of the most interesting units Of the Rock
Greek Parkway system Is the National Zoo
logical Park, serving both as a playground and
a center for instruction for the people OF the
city New structures have been added to those
already provided for the splendid animal collec-
TONS the most notable being the bird and rep
tile house.
Following the Mcmillan Plan a number Of
monumental buildings have been erected along
Seventeenth street west of the White Lot-the
Corcoran Gallery Of Art the American Red
Cross Buildings, the Daughters of the American
Revolution group, including Constitution and
Continental Halls and the lovely Pan-Amer1can
Building. designed by Albert Kelsey and Paul
Cret with it's indoor tropical garden and foun-
tain designed by Gertrude Payne Whitney.
An important feature of the Mcmillan Park
Commission Plan of 1901 was the proposal for
a series of Congress Gardens on the north
side of the Capitol For many years this pro-
ject was held in allegiance pending the compile
tion OF the purchase Of lands. The develop
ment necessitated the purchase of IL Squares
and laying out a plan for this long-neglected
area at the entrance of the city.
At present, the Union Station Plaza may be
said to be nearly completed The new Louis
lana avenue extends from Union Station TO
Pennsylvania avenue Terraces have been
graded to follow the contour of Capitol Hill and
appear as a base for the entire Capitol group
as approached from the Union Station A
colonnaded esplanade gives an architectural
charm to the composition and hides all evi-
dences of the underground garage and passage
for street cars
Located on the axis Of the Capitol and in
the center of the Plaza Is a large fountain, two
flights of monumental steps lead from the
upper terrace to the lower, where a pool Is To-
Gated designed to act as mirror for the display
of the fountain.
The removal of the temporary war buildings
from this area and the completion Of the
Plaza plan provided harmonious environment
for the rarely beautiful and convenient Union
Station designed by Daniel H. Burnham. In
the Station Plaza. very appropriately. Is the
Columbus Fountain, designed by dorado TAFT
to commemorate the discovery of America
The Capitol group which now comprises the
Capitol at the center, nearly surrounded by
majestic group of buildings; the large
Senate ONCE Building, the two stately
House Office Buildings and the new Botanic
Gardens, the Library Of Congress and the new
Supreme Court Building designed by Cass Gil
bert (now under construction). Immediately
adjoining the official Capitol group is the new
Folger Shakespeare Library. designed by Paul
Cret with its modern marble exterior and It's
Elzabethan halls and theater. one Of the very
notable buildings of modern time.
While much remains to be completed, It is
not to be expected that Washington, the capital
of a great nation, will ever be completed so long
as the Nation lives and develops. The visitor
to Washington today will substantial ac-
compfishments and should understand the gen.
eral purpose of the plan for its future develop
ment