Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds, 1867-1925

By the act of March 2, 1867 (14 Stat. 466), the Office of the Commissioner of Public Buildings was abolished, and the Chief Engineer of the United States Army was delegated to perform all duties required by law of the Commissioner. In accordance with this law, the Chief Engineer appointed General N. Michler Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds. [19] The legal continuity of the office was preserved as the Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds possessed the same powers as did the Federal Commissioners of 1791. As the city of Washington expanded the work of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds became increasingly complex, and the Officer in Charge was assigned numerous additional powers and duties. Military Aide to the President was included among his many duties.

Federal Control of Parks clearly defined

On July 1, 1898 (30 Stat. 570), Congress vested in the Municipal Commissioners of the District of Columbia the jurisdiction and control of street parking and placed the parks of the District of Columbia under the exclusive control of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army. This act simply clarified the Federal character of the National Capital Parks which had always been under Federal control. In 1898 it was realized that the parks should be administered along National lines, because they belonged to the whole Nation. Following this clarification, great improvements were initiated in the park development of Washington.

It should be remembered that from 1802 the city of Washington had been under two separate governments — that of the Federal Government and that of the local or Municipal Government. Surveyors of the city had been employed from the very beginning of the Nation's Capital. A clear distinction was always preserved by Congress between those surveyors under the Federal Government and those under the Municipal Government. [20] The latter were vested with authority from the municipality and not from Congress, and their activity was limited to work on private property only. The United States City Surveyor represented the Federal Government, and was under the direct control of the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds. By the act of January 12, 1899 the United States City Surveyor was designated the guardian of all official maps, deeds, and original land records of the District of Columbia. [21] With the greatest of care the official records of the city were kept in Federal custody. Upon the establishment of The National Archives, certain official records of the office were deposited there for safe keeping.

Important Developments, 1867-1925

The development of the National Capital Parks during the years 1867 to 1925 was extensive and farsighted. To soldiers, Congressmen, and other travelers the Washington of 1865 was a "backwoods town" of unpaved streets rather than an impressive National Capital. Following the Civil War, there was considerable agitation for improvement of the National Capital. One step in the movement for improvement was the transfer of custody of the Public Buildings and Public Grounds to the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. [22] Until the famous McMillan plan of 1901, progress toward a planned development of the park system was rather slow. Nevertheless, certain important park developments in the National Capital did precede the McMillan plan, In the year 1871 a park commission was organized. This commission planted some 60,000 trees along the streets. [23] This practice followed in later years has made Washington a city of shady tree-lined avenues. On August 16, 1876, the offices of the Landscape Gardener and Public Gardener were merged into one, in order to better coordinate the landscaping of the Capital's parks. [24]

Rock Creek Park

An outstanding achievement in park development prior to 1900 was the establishment of Rock Creek Park. As early as 1866 General N. Michler had reported to the United States Senate on the suitability of the valley of Rock Creek as a public park. [25] By the act of September 27, 1890 (26 Stat. 492—95), Congress authorized the establishment of Rock Creek Park as a national park. A Commission was created composed of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, Engineer Commissioner of the District of Columbia, and three private citizens appointed by the President of the United States. [26] This Commission purchased all the lands possible under the appropriation allotted. On December 13, 1894, the Commission formally turned over the area to the Board of Control of Rock Creek Park, which had been created by section 7 of the Park act. [27] The area acquired for the park contained 1,605.9 acres, and cost $1,174,511.45. [28] Since the original purchase additional lands have been acquired. The area of Rock Creek Park now comprises 1,737 acres.

Situated in the heart of the Nation's Capital, Rock Creek Park is one of the largest and most beautiful natural parks in the world. Such a keen observer as James Bryce was so impressed with the beauties of Rock Creek Park that he left us the following description:

Rock Creek — a winding, rocky glen, with a broad stream foaming over its stony bed and wild leafy woods looking down on each side, where you not only have a carriage road at the bottom, but an inexhaustible variety of footpaths, where you can force your way through thickets and test your physical ability in climbing up and down steep slopes, and in places scaling the faces of bold cliffs, all that you have in Rock Creek Park. [29]

Besides its natural beauty and geological significance, Rock Creek Park is an area rich in human history. In the early nineteenth century many mills were located along the stream. One of these historic mills, the Pierce Mill, has been preserved, and operates today as it did over a century ago.

Differing from the Capitals of Europe, Washington was a planned city from the very beginning. The original plan of Pierre Charles L'Enfant was a logical and artistic design for the Nation's Capital. Due to the foresight of Washington and the planning ability of L'Enfant, the Capital city was provided with an adequate number of public reservations and parks. [30]

Rock Creek Park

The McMillan Park Commission

By the end of the nineteenth century the city had grown outside the limits of the original plan. Moreover, there were certain major deviations from the original design. The Mall area was far from the formal park envisioned by L'Enfant. Since 1872, the Pennsylvania railroad had occupied the Mall. At times, the area was a common pasture with herds of cattle roaming about.

The presence of the railroad on the Mall was a complete deviation from the original L'Enfant plan. The members of the McMillan Commission met with representatives of the Pennsylvania railroad and discussed the proposed development of the Mall. President Casatt of the railroad agreed to withdraw completely from the Mall and to unite with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad in the construction of a union station. The McMillan commission proposed a site for a union station fronting Massachusetts avenue and the railroad officials agreed. The Commission was then free to proceed with its plans for the Mall.

A second deviation from the L'Enfant plan was the erection of the Treasury building next to the White House — thus completely blocking the view from the White House to the Capitol. This vista was envisioned by L'Enfant as a "splendid avenue without obstruction." There was no chance of changing the location of the Treasury building; but perhaps, similar deviations could be avoided in the future.

The Capital needed a comprehensive plan to prevent deviations from the original plan and to prepare for future developments. Just such a plan came forth under the guiding hand of the McMillan Park Commission, which formulated the master plan for the development of the Nation's Capital for the past 50 years.

The year 1900 marked the one hundredth anniversary of the removal of the seat of government to Washington. The keynote of the celebration was the improvement of the city. The American Institute of Architects enthusiastically took up the cause of the National Capital, and the centennial celebration was made the occasion of a book by Glenn Brown. [31] President Theodore Roosevelt and others were convinced that something should be done about the condition of the Nation's Capital. Senator McMillan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia secured authority to appoint a special commission of experts to study and make recommendations on the beautification and development of Washington. [32] The experts selected included Architect Daniel H. Burnham of Chicago, Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., of Brookline, Massachusetts, Architect Charles F. McKim and Sculptor Augustus Saint Gaudens of New York City. Each of these men was outstanding in his field. Under the chairmanship of Daniel Burnham these men formulated a comprehensive plan for the future development of the National Capital. It was not intended to have this plan adopted; it was simply a project for the development of the city along lines of convenience, order, and beauty. [33] The inherent excellence of the McMillan plan has been proven over and over again. Since the time of its publication many important improvements have been made in accordance with it. [34]

The McMillan Plan

The McMillan plan of 1901 called for no appropriations. It stipulated that as Congress should see fit to provide for new public buildings and additional parks or parkways, or for improvement of existing public spaces, that the work should be done in accordance with a well-considered general plan covering the entire District of Columbia. [35] After careful study, the Commission came to the conclusion that the original plan of L'Enfant should be followed as closely as possible. Two immediate accomplishments of the Commission were the removal of the railroad tracks and station from the Mall area and the selection of a site for a monument to Abraham Lincoln. In accomplishing the latter, the Commission extended the Mall Axis one mile directly west of the Washington Monument on the lands dredged from the Potomac river. At the western-most terminus of this extension, a site for a monument to Lincoln was selected. The builders of the Washington Monument, fearing inadequate foundations, had located the Monument a short distance from the exact point fixed in the L'Enfant plan, which called for the Monument to be located at a point where a line drawn due west from the center of the Capitol would intersect a line drawn due south from the center of the White House. [36] Other important features of the McMillan Commission's work that materially aided the beautification of Washington, consisted in the suggestions for connections between various park areas, and the acquisition of new park areas with increased emphasis on securing those lands needed to preserve the best landscape effects. [37] Many of these suggestions were later followed by park officials. By adhering to the broad outline of the McMillan plan, park officials effected numerous improvements which helped to make Washington one of the most beautifully designed cities of the World.

East and West Potomac Parks

In accordance with the McMillan plan, two beautiful parks were established on the lands dredged from the Potomac river. These two parks were established for the enjoyment of the people of the United States, An area of 327 acres was reclaimed through the dredging of the Washington Channel, and came to be known as East Potomac Park. The hydraulic dredging of the swampy regions southwest of the Washington Monument resulted in the creation of West Potomac Park, comprising 394 acres. East Potomac Park was transferred from U. S. Engineers to the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds in 1907, becoming an integral part of the National Capital Parks. West Potomac Park was transferred to the same office in 1913. Both of these parks have added immeasurable beauty to the National Capital. West Potomac Park affords a charming approach to the Lincoln Memorial and the Arlington Memorial Bridge. One of the picturesque features of this park is the presence of the Oriental cherry trees, which surround the Tidal Basin. Thousands are attracted to Washington each year to view the blossoms and participate in the traditional Cherry Blossom Festival. East Potomac Park, one of the important island parks of the World, has become an area of intense park use in the National Capital.

Congressional Action in the Development of the National Capital

The years 1867-1925 were extremely rich in park development. The Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds was aided in the work of long—range planning and design by numerous Commissions, some of which are still in existence today. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the Congress of the United States has become increasingly aware of its responsibilities for the development and beautification of the National Capital for the enjoyment of the whole Nation. In carrying out these responsibilities Congress established numerous commissions, delegating to each a specific task in the over—all development of the city. In this manner, Congress has played a significant role in the development of the park system. The office of Public Buildings and Grounds was intimately connected with each of the commissions. The Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds was the Executive Officer and handled all of the administrative work of the various commissions. The most significant of all these commissions with respect to park development was the McMillan Park Commission of 1901. It laid out the basic plan upon which other commissions took action.

In addition to the McMillan Commission, other significant commissions were established for certain tasks. On May 17, 1910, Congress established a Commission of Fine Arts. [38] Subsequently, the Officer in charge of Public Buildings and Grounds was made Secretary and Executive Officer of that Commission. [39] The Lincoln Memorial Commission was organized in connection with the erection of the Monument to Lincoln. The Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Commission was established in 1913. [40] The National Capital Park Commission was authorized by Congress on June 6, 1924. [41] The Officer in Charge was the executive officer of all these commissions and a member of all except the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway and the Fine Arts Commissions.

Cherry Blossom Time

Lincoln Memorial National Monument

On February 9, 1911, an act of Congress creating a Lincoln Memorial Commission was approved by the President of the United States. The Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds was appointed executive and disbursing officer of this commission. Considerable care and judgment was given to the selection of the site for the Monument and the architectural design of the building. On February 1, 1913, the Lincoln Memorial Commission selected Henry Bacon as the architect for the Monument. Subsequently, Daniel Chester French was chosen as the sculptor to execute the statue of Lincoln for the interior of the Monument. Jules Guerin was named the artist to design the murals on the south and north walls. The dedication of the Lincoln Memorial took place on the afternoon of Decoration Day, May 30, 1922.

The exterior of the Lincoln Memorial symbolizes the Union of the United States of America. Surrounding the walls of the Memorial Hall is a colonnade of the States of the Union. On the frieze above are the names of the 36 States existing at the time of Lincoln's death. On the walls above the colonnade are inscribed the names of the 48 States existing today. Within the walls are three principal memorials to Lincoln — the marble Statue of Lincoln and the inscriptions of the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural.

The Lincoln Memorial

Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway

Visitors to Washington are impressed with the beautiful Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. By the act approved March 4, 1913, the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Commission was created. The commission consisted of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Agriculture. The purpose of the act was the prevention of the pollution and obstruction of Rock Creek and the connection of West Potomac Park with the Zoological Park and Rock Creek Park. The Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds was appointed executive and disbursing officer of the commission. Of the area acquired, 66.14 acres were owned by the United States. An additional 93.76 acres were acquired by purchase and condemnation, which included areas which the Washington Gas Light Company was required to vacate. The parkway was completed by sections and there was no formal dedication ceremony. It has become one of the most heavily used drives in the National Capital Parks.

Arlington Memorial Amphitheater

Although presently the National Capital Parks office does not have jurisdiction over the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater and Chapel, they were constructed under the supervision of the Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds. Ground was broken at the site March 1, 1915, the first earth being turned by the Secretary of the Navy. The dedication of the Amphitheater took place with appropriate ceremonies on May 15, 1920. On July 1, 1920, the care and maintenance of the structure was turned over to the Quartermaster Department of the United States Army.

United States Park Police

During the administration of the Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds, one of the finest park protection forces in the World was organized. By an act approved August 5, 1882, Congress conferred upon the watchmen employed by the Federal Government in the public parks of Washington the same powers and duties as the Metropolitan police. [42] The members of this relatively small force were first uniformed in 1900. They were authorized to make arrests not only inside the parks but also outside their limits, and to pursue fugitives, who may have escaped from the parks. [43] The park watchmen were formally called "United States Park Police" by act of Congress approved December 5, 1919. [44] The United States Park Police were under the exclusive control of the Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds. Unlike the park police of other large cities, they were Federal police. Today the park police are under the control of the Superintendent of National Capital Parks.

There was a careful and consistent development of the National Capital Parks during the years, 1867-1925. The growth of the park system in extent alone was a notable achievement. During this time, numerous park areas were acquired and developed, among the more important being Rock Creek Park, East and West Potomac Parks, Montrose, Meridian Hill, Fort Dupont and Fort Davis Parks, Union Station Plaza, and Columbia island. [45] In addition, the Rock Creek and Potomac Park way was begun.

Meridian Hill Park

National Character of Capital's Parks

During these years the National character of the parks was firmly realized. The act of June 11, 1878, establishing the present form of government for the District of Columbia clearly indicated that Congress intended to relinquish to the District Commissioners only such matters as belonged purely to the local interests. A provision in that act clearly stated, "That nothing herein contained shall be construed as transferring from the United States authorities any of the public works within the District of Columbia now under the control or supervision of said authorities." [46] The Park System was included in the general classification of Public Works.

National Capital Park System Defined, 1898

Although the parks had always been under Federal control, the act of July 1, 1898 further clarified the position of the parks by stating they were under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chief Engineer, United States Army, representing the Federal Government. At the same time, the park system of the National Capital was defined as constituting "all public spaces laid down as reservations on the map of 1894, accompanying the annual report for 1894 of the Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds." [47] The parks of the National Capital were recognized as National parks, and were to be developed for the enjoyment and pleasure of the people of the United States.

Map of the City of Washington, 1894

Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks in the National Capital, 1925—1933

An act approved February 26, 1925, created the independent office of the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, responsible directly to the President of the United States. [48] All the duties previously performed by the Officer in Charge of Public Buildings and Grounds devolved upon this Director. At the same time the act consolidated the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds and the Office of Superintendent of the State, War and Navy Department buildings into a single office. In accordance with this act, Lt. Col, C. O. Sherrill was appointed the first Director on February 26, 1925. He was followed in office by Lt. Col. Ulysses S Grant, III.

It is important to grasp the continuity of the Office. In 1791, there was one office, having charge of the maintenance, protection, and operation of all Government properties in Washington. This office consisted of the three Federal Commissioners. As time passed and the city expended, the responsibilities of the office became increasingly numerous. Gradually other Government agencies assumed certain duties once performed by the Federal Commissioners. However, Director Grant's office was the legal successor to these Commissioners. He had many of the same powers exercised by the original three Federal Commissioners. He had charge of the maintenance, care, and repair of the Executive Mansion and Grounds, and was in charge of all public buildings and parks. Director Grant also had certain duties, which the Commissioners of 1791 did not possess. The growth of the city and the Government had necessitated new and different responsibilities. An example was the fact that the Director soon became a member and disbursing officer of numerous commissions, established to facilitate the completion of certain important projects in the National Capital. It should be clearly realized that while certain duties pertaining to the office of the original three Federal Commissioners of 1791 changed from time to time, the office never ceased to operate.

National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Of considerable importance during the period 1925—1933, was the amount of time given to comprehensive park planning, a field which is receiving even wider attention today. The name of the National Capital Park Commission, which had been authorized in 1924, was changed to the National Capital Park and Planning Commission and its functions were greatly enlarged by act of Congress, April 30, 1926. The National Capital Park and Planning Commission was made responsible for the development of a comprehensive, consistent, and coordinated plan for the National Capital and its environs in the States of Maryland and Virginia. It was charged with the task of preventing the pollution of Rock Creek, and the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. [49] It was also authorized to purchase lands for future park development. The latter power was of extreme significance in the development of a greater National Capital park system.

As a beginning, the National Capital Park and Planning Commission undertook a careful study of the L'Enfant papers. [50] The Commission desired to be fully aware of the ideas, which motivated L'Enfant in the making of the original plan. Moreover, the Commission wished to be thoroughly familiar with the original plan, in order to be able to critically evaluate certain modifications in the basic plan, which might have to be made to meet the needs of an expanding city. [51]

The Commission continued a broad system of parkway planning. In this connection, authorization for the acquisition and development of the George Washington Memorial Parkway was approved by act of Congress, May 29, 1930. In all these plans the office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital was vitally concerned. In the act granting additional responsibilities to the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital was named Executive and Disbursing Officer of the Commission. In the field of Planning, park officials followed the McMillan plan of 1901 as far as was practicable. [52]

Important Developments, 1925-1933

The growth and development of the National Capital Parks during the years 1925-1933 was extensive in area, and varied in important accomplishments. Several important Civil War forts, which were once a part of the defenses of Washington, were acquired. Interest was revived in a Forts Drive project, which was planned to encircle the city, making use of the line of Civil War defenses. Among these defenses were Fort Bayard, Fort Stevens, Fort Stanton, Fort Slocum, Fort Mahen, and Fort Reno parks. In connection with a broad parkway development the following parkways were developed: Whitehaven, Klingle Valley, Shepherd, George Washington Memorial, and the Oxon Run park ways. Other important acquisitions were Soapstone Valley, Lafayette Recreation Center, Sections C, F, G, and E of Anacostia Park, Turkey Thicket Playground, and Barnard Hill.

Arlington Memorial Bridge

Among the important accomplishments was the construction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, which had been authorized by act of Congress, approved February 24, 1925. [53] McKim, Mead and White of New York City were the architects and John Nagle was the designing engineer. The formal opening of this magnificent structure occurred on January 16, 1932, with President Herbert Hoover and other distinguished dignitaries attending the dedication ceremonies. The superintendence of the Bridge was carried on by the Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission, of which the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital was disbursing officer.

The development of the Mall, authorized by Congress on March 4, 1929, was undertaken in accordance with the L'Enfant plan and the recommendations of the McMillan Commission. [54] This development necessitated the moving of the Botanic Gardens. The developed area included the Mall Park as we know it today running from Union Square to the Washington Monument.

Mount Vernon Memorial Highway

The Mount Vernon Memorial Highway was authorized by Congress on May 23, 1928. Surveys of the proposed highway were made by the Bureau of Public Roads, which supervised the construction. By the end of 1932, the major construction and landscape work on the highway was completed. Ceremonies celebrating the formal opening of the road were held at the Mount Vernon terminus on November 15, 1932. [55] During the 1933 fiscal year, the control of the highway was transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the office of Public Buildings and Parks of the National Capital.

Winding through picturesque tidewater Virginia, the highway passes many historical sites. In Alexandria there is Christ Church, where Washington worshipped. There is the old Presbyterian Meeting House and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War. Below Alexandria, the highway continues parallel with the broad Potomac. A short distance below Mount Vernon, historic Fort Washington may be seen on the Maryland side of the river. The highway comes to an appropriate end at the home of the Father of our Country.

During the administration of the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital, numerous colorful ceremonies and celebrations were held in the National Capital, some of which are still yearly highlights of Washington. The park office cooperated with the various civic organizations and jointly sponsored many events, as does the office of National Capital Parks today. The President's Cup Regatta was inaugurated in 1926. The famous Cherry Blossom Festival was begun in 1927. A lavish Hallowe'en Celebration was commenced in 1931. [56] These pageants required considerable work of the parks office. Thousands of chairs had to be set up and impressive stands constructed. Park officials worked diligently to make every event a success. The spectators at these various events and celebrations were always carefully helped and protected by courteous United States Park Police.

Mount Vernon Memorial Highway

A Regional Park System

Considerable thought and action was given to a regional park system. The groundwork for a carefully designed system of regional parks had been given legislative approval by the passage of the Capper-Crampton act. [57] The passage of this act had been vigorously advocated by Colonel Sherrill, the first Director of the office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital. The long range plans of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission included designs for radial highways, cross—connecting highways, airports, sewerage and drainage, and water supply projects. In the field of planning things generally move slowly toward a specific goal. The regional park system of the Nation's Capital has followed that path, having made steady progress in recent years after being firmly formulated during the years, 1925-1933.