Evening star., 1961-07-16
The Case Of the Missing Capital
By HAROLD A. WILLIAMS
Contributing Writer

w was assembled on the grounds of
Baltimore someone forgot to include the Nations Capital
The map. which looks like gigantic jigsaw puzzle con-
ss of 4 States shaped of their native stones Alaska and
Hawaii represented by bronze stars set into the Pacific
Ocean. far, there is District of Columbia
newspaper editor examining photograph of the map,
the omission He called official of the StarSpanged
Banner Flag House. The by n feet about the size off
badminon in the pleasant garden Of the house where
Pckersg made the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key
to write The StarSpangled Banner"
When editor asked his question there long
at the other end Of the wire.
Are you sure?" asked a notsOsure voice.
There another pause. Then, will you hold the line
while 60 out in the garden and have loOk?"
When the official returned to the phone she admitted
there Washington District of Columbia Well have
to do something" she said
Later decided that copper medal made parts
of the u S. Frigae Constellation, beFthed in Baltimore
will be set in the Potomac River and visitors will be told
That's Washington Zone hundred thousand such medals
have been struck and being sold raise
ton work on the Navy's oldest vesse)
Plans for the which dedicated June 18 made
during World War by the late Arthur Sewe the Flag House
custodian and blind man He felt such display would be
symbol of the great strength of the United States
Nothing done until 1850 when, at the request of the
Flag House Association william Preston Lane then Governor
of Maryland wrote the other State Enclosing
pattern he asked for reproduction States shape
in native stone plus donation of 500 for assembly costs
Maine responded almost Immediately with piece black
slate But other stones slowly until 1855 that
the last stone arrived Because of financial difficulties
than half the States moneythe stones
bled until this Spring. The project cots $3.50
COlOrs and textures of the stones vary from
Virginia shipped dark schst from crystalline rock
Maryands stone, piece of white MARBLE from the fa
Beaver Dam north Of Baltimore Pennsylvania
furnished piece of sand-cOlOred flagstOne.
Texas sent pink marble Because of its SIZE about that of
dining table, it shipped in three pieces FlOrdas
contribution composed Of coral and crushed shells Ala
bama offered a slab of pure white marble.
OregOns stone terrazzO block containing gold
aluminium lead, zinc and piece of petrifed wood
COlOradOs polished red granite Monanas
covered with copper plate.
Winfred Henry Barnes, stone a Baltimore
Of stone had the job of putting the
He started with the State of Washington and
south
There problems Most ohe States the
true to the patterns sent them but larger than
quested These had be trimmed fit thick
from to several inches The foundation level
be varied from stone to stone to achieve flat surface
The oceans slightly blued Lakes rivers and
bays concrete tinted with deep blue The
with marble cut from Of BalimOres oldest steps
AS the map finished this Spring it attracted
attention and tourists You always tell where tour
lists FROM said Flag House guide where
they stand on the map to have their pictures taken
fthey come from Texas there plenty standing