Washington Monument A History

COVER

PREFACE

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

I. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION

Early Proposals
Organization of the Washington National Monument Society

II. CONSTRUCTION OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT, FIRST PHASE, 1848—54

The Foundations
Laying the Cornerstone
First Construction Phase, 1848—54

III. INTERIM PERIOD, 1855—76

Memorial Stones
Theft of the Pope's Stone
Seizure of the Monument
The Civil War

IV. CONSTRUCTION OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT, SECOND PHASE, 1876-84

Concurrent Resolution of July 5, 1878
The Army Investigation Boards
The "Story" and "Marsh" Plans
Stabilizing the Foundations

V. COMPLETION OF THE MONUMENT

Ironwork
Completion of the Shaft
The Pyramidion
Wages and Workmen
Setting the Capstone

The Dedication of Completed Monument
Post-Dedication Construction
Inserting the Memorial Stones
Redesigning the Entrance Doors
Protection Against Lightning
Filling the Terrace Lodge
Operation of the Monument

VII. THE GROUNDS OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT AND COMMUNITY USE

The McMillan Plan and the Monument Grounds
Visitation and Maintenance
Publicity Incidents
Appropriations
Proposed Visitor Information Center
Elevator Safety
Community Use of the Monument

1. The Washington portrait by Peale

2. Washington's coat of arms executed in flowers, 1932

3. Sketch of the Washington National Monument by Robert Mills

4. Laying of the cornerstone by President James K. Polk, 1848

5. Contemporary sketch of primitive working conditions at monument, 1854

6. Contemporary scene of monument, lakes on grounds, and early Agriculture grounds from Smithsonian Institution, c. 1860

7. Cross section of the Story plan for the monument, 1872

8. Original foundation and preparations for its enlargement, 1879

9. Section of early foundation cut away for strengthening, 1879

10. Method of shoring up cut-away section of foundation, 1879

11. Sketch of workmen who built Washington Monument, 1884

12. Rig for hoisting stones of monument

13. General view of monument and foundation, 1879

14. Monument at the 500—foot level, February 13, 1881

15. Contemporary scene of setting aluminum capstone on the monument, December 6, 1884

16. Contemporary sketch of scene at dedication of monument and some memorial stones, February 22, 1885

17. General Sheridan and Staff, representing the States of the Union, dedication of Washington Monument, 1885

18. President Calvin Coolidge at Washington Monument for dedication of the memorial stone to New Mexico, 1927

19. Pyramidion of Washington Monument from southeast, January 8, 1935

20. Demolition of Maintenance Yards, National Capital Parks, August 23, 1962

21. Washington Monument undergoing cleaning and repairs, June 25, 1964

22. Rig for cleaning monument, August 13, 1964

23. Gathering of International Boy Scouts on monument grounds, July 10, 1962

24. Display of fireworks over monument, July 4, 1968

25. The monument and the Haupt Fountain by the Ellipse, May 28, 1969

26. The Washington National Monument Cattle Yard, 1861-65

27. Triangulation of the Jefferson Stone Monument and Mills' Bench Mark

28. Cross Section of the Washington Monument, 1884

29. L'Enfant plan for Washington