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Building the monumental city

Collection · 71 photographs

Building the monumental city

The Lincoln Memorial rising on the reclaimed flats, new bridges and government buildings, and old blocks coming down.

The McMillan plan of 1902 set out a new monumental core for Washington, and over the next thirty years it was built. These photographs catch it half-finished: the Lincoln Memorial going up on land that had been river a generation before, new bridges across the Potomac, and the old blocks of downtown being cleared for the Federal Triangle.

A broad avenue lined with buildings, a garden in front and a steel skeleton building — c. 1899–1910 Pennsylvania Avenue stretches from the Treasury toward the Capitol, with the Old Post Office tower on the right and a steel frame rising on the left. Pennsylvania AvenueDetroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-32187 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A long white station building across an open area of rough ground and paths — c. 1907–10 The newly finished Union Station stands on open, raw ground, a factory chimney on the skyline, around 1907-1910. Union StationDetroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-39991 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A half-built marble building topped with wooden scaffolding towers and a crane — January 25, 1909 The Pan American Union building rises behind timber scaffolds and derricks in January 1909. Seventeenth StreetHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H25- 10138-A [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A white marble fountain with a statue, framed by large American flags — June 1912 Lorado Taft's Columbus Fountain, dressed with flags, is readied for its dedication in front of Union Station in June 1912. Union StationBain News Service, Library of Congress · LC-B2- 2497-4 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Wooden stands in front of the Treasury's colonnade — 1913 Inaugural stands built at the southeast corner of the Treasury, 1913. The TreasuryHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 2162 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Long rows of new wooden bench seating in front of the Capitol's columned wing — 1913 Workmen lay out rows of wooden benches on the inaugural stands before the Capitol in 1913. The CapitolHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 2165 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

The Capitol dome hazy behind a plume of spray from a hose — 1913 Workmen clean the Capitol's exterior in 1913, a jet of spray rising against the dome. The CapitolHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 3303 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A long covered wooden stand on a tree-lined street — 1913 Inaugural stands go up in front of the State, War and Navy Building, 1913. State, War and Navy BuildingHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 2000140 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

The Capitol's columned east portico and dome with a wooden platform in front — February 22, 1913 The inaugural platform built out from the Capitol's east portico, February 1913. The CapitolBain News Service, Library of Congress · LC-B2- 2646-11 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Wide view of the Capitol east front with a wooden platform being built — February 22, 1913 The inaugural platform under construction on the Capitol's east front, February 1913. The CapitolBain News Service, Library of Congress · LC-B2- 2646-12 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A large stone statue in an archway of an unfinished station, scaffolding alongside — c. 1910–17 A carved statue stands in an arched bay of Union Station while the building is still under construction, timber and scaffolding at its feet. Union StationHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 1790 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A large hotel with construction scaffolding on its roof beside another grand hotel, streetcars passing — c. 1910–20 The new Washington Hotel rising in its scaffolding beside the Willard, with streetcars and pedestrians on the avenue below, late 1910s. Pennsylvania AvenueHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H25- 2127 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A columned temple under construction with derricks and stone blocks — 1915 The Lincoln Memorial under construction in 1915, with its colonnade rising and stone blocks piled in front. The Lincoln MemorialHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 3278 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A columned building with crane masts and cables above — 1915 The memorial's colonnade in 1915, with derricks still rigged above it. The Lincoln MemorialHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 3279-A [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A large stone suspended from a derrick above a crowd — 1915 The cornerstone of the Lincoln Memorial is lowered into place, February 12, 1915. The Lincoln MemorialHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 4883-B [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A crowd on a construction site around a hanging stone — 1915 Guests gather on the platform for the laying of the Lincoln Memorial cornerstone, February 12, 1915. The Lincoln MemorialHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 4885-B [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Construction towers and cranes over a low unfinished stone structure on muddy ground — January 1915 Derricks and scaffolding rise over the foundations of the Lincoln Memorial in January 1915, snow patches on the raw ground. The Lincoln MemorialNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 1997 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A crowd in overcoats beneath a stone hanging from a derrick — February 12, 1915 A crowd watches the cornerstone of the Lincoln Memorial swing into place, February 12, 1915. The Lincoln MemorialDate checked: The Library dates this only to 1910–1926; the Lincoln Memorial's cornerstone was laid on February 12, 1915.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 1037 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Elderly men in hats and a woman with spades breaking ground on a grassy slope — March 1, 1915 Men and women in hats turn the first spadefuls of earth for the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington, March 1, 1915. Arlington and Fort MyerNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 44524 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Men on scaffolding beside carved marble figures high on a building — 1916 Sculptors and workmen on the scaffold as the new pediment sculpture is installed on the House wing of the Capitol, 1916. The CapitolHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 4946 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A sculpted stone figure hanging from a derrick, workmen and marble statues beside it — 1916 A carved figure for Paul Bartlett's pediment on the House wing swings from a derrick high above the Capitol grounds, 1916. The CapitolHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 7626 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A columned marble building with a construction tower beside it on bare ground — 1916 The Lincoln Memorial stands on open, rough ground in 1916, a tall derrick still at work beside it. The Lincoln MemorialHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 24384 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A columned building half built, with cranes on top — c. July 1916 The Lincoln Memorial under construction in 1916, its colonnade rising on the fill beside the Potomac. The Lincoln MemorialNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12359-1-A [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A partly built marble arch with construction cranes and scaffolding on open ground — c. 1916–17 Derricks rise over the unfinished Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington Cemetery, around 1916-1917. Arlington and Fort MyerNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 1792 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

The columned Lincoln Memorial on a bare grassy mound under clouds — 1917 The Lincoln Memorial's colonnade standing on its bare mound in 1917, years before its dedication. The Lincoln MemorialHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 6676 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A massive empty stone pedestal with a bronze lion lying on a plinth beside it — 1917 Bronze lions crouch on the marble platform of the Grant Memorial below the Capitol in 1917, the pedestal still waiting for its statue. The CapitolHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 7991 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A wooden building framework going up beside a dirt road and a truck — 1917 Headquarters for the Council of National Defense under construction, 1917. The Mall place uncertainHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 9533 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A cleared park strewn with felled trees beside city buildings — 1917 Trees felled on the Mall to clear sites for wartime office buildings, 1917. The MallHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 9561 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A vast factory hall filled with rows of long gun barrels under overhead cranes — 1917 Row upon row of huge naval gun barrels fill the big gun shop at the Washington Navy Yard in 1917. The Navy YardHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 9955 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Wooden scaffolding and a long low building frame under construction, Washington Monument in the distance — 1917 A wartime temporary office building rises on the Mall in 1917, with the Washington Monument beyond the scaffolding. The MallHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H25- 2099 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A white columned memorial far off across a marshy field of grass and reeds — c. 1917 The Lincoln Memorial rises beyond a stretch of reedy marshland, around 1917. The Lincoln MemorialNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12359-1A <item> [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A columned memorial building with tall construction derricks and cables above it — January 1917 The Lincoln Memorial under construction in January 1917, derricks still standing above its colonnade. The Lincoln MemorialNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 1784 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A steam shovel digging a deep pit between city buildings — c. 1916–19 A steam shovel excavates a downtown building site, about 1918. Downtown and F StreetHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 24350 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A cleared building lot with large advertising boards — c. 1916–19 A construction site beside the Riggs National Bank, with a billboard urging readers to buy Third Liberty Loan bonds, 1918. Downtown and F StreetHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 24351 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Streetcar tracks torn up at a junction with a streetcar and the Treasury behind — c. 1919 A streetcar passes track work at Pennsylvania Avenue and F Street, looking toward the Treasury, about 1919. The TreasuryNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12357-7 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Aerial view of a large columned building surrounded by raw graded ground — 1919 The Lincoln Memorial under construction, seen from the air in 1919, its grounds still bare earth. The Lincoln MemorialHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 30462 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A workman with a wheelbarrow on rough ground, the Lincoln Memorial far behind — c. 1915–23 An African American laborer pushes a wheelbarrow across rough ground, the Lincoln Memorial in the distance. The Lincoln MemorialHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-585 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A man on a tall ladder against a large bronze equestrian statue — c. 1915–23 A workman on a ladder works at the bronze rider of the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial below the Capitol, early 1920s. The CapitolHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-2190 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A long indoor water tank with a steel carriage spanning it under a skylit roof — November 18, 1919 The long Experimental Model Basin at the Navy Yard, a towing carriage spanning the water under a glazed roof, 1919. The Navy YardNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 5918 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A man beside a large bronze head with a feathered helmet — c. 1918–21 A workman beside the head of the Statue of Freedom, taken down from the Capitol dome, about 1920. The CapitolNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 9390 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

An unfinished steel bridge arch springing from a stone pier over a river, a barge beside it — 1920 The steel arch of the Key Bridge reaches out from a stone pier over the Potomac during construction in 1920, a work boat moored below. GeorgetownNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 10305 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Concrete bridge arches and piers rising out of still water — 1920 Arches of the Key Bridge rise over the Potomac beside the old Aqueduct Bridge, around 1920. GeorgetownNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 10306 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A single bridge arch reflected in still river water — c. 1920 An arch of the Key Bridge under construction rises from the Potomac, about 1920. GeorgetownNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 4740 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A bronze equestrian statue suspended from a derrick over a stone pedestal — 1920 The bronze of Ulysses S. Grant on horseback is hoisted onto its pedestal at the foot of Capitol Hill, 1920. The Capitol place probableNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 10257 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Men beside a giant bronze helmeted head high above the city — c. 1909–32 Three men on the scaffolding beside the head of the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol dome. The CapitolNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12351-1B <item> [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

The Capitol dome and wing with timber and wagons in front — 1921 The first lumber arrives at the Capitol for Harding's inaugural stands, 1921. The CapitolNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 11347 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Workers and wooden stands in front of the Capitol's east front — January 8, 1921 Stands go up on the Capitol plaza for Warren Harding's inauguration, January 8, 1921. The CapitolNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 11434 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A wrapped statue on a wooden ramp beside scaffolding at a columned building — February 12, 1921 The suffrage memorial statue is hauled up a timber ramp on the Capitol's east front, February 12, 1921. The Capitol place probableNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 11995 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

High view of long temporary buildings being demolished, two tall chimneys behind — August 4, 1921 Wartime temporary office buildings being torn down in August 1921, their frames half stripped, with power-plant chimneys beyond. The Mall place probableNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 15346 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A temporary pavilion in front of the Capitol's columns — c. 1921–22 The inaugural stand built against the Capitol's east portico, 1921. The CapitolNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 12230 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Two men standing beneath the giant seated Lincoln statue with a ladder beside it — c. 1921–22 Two men in dark suits stand at the base of the Lincoln statue, a ladder still propped against it, early 1920s. The Lincoln MemorialNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 7440 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

High view down a long rectangular pool toward a white temple-like memorial — c. 1921–23 The Lincoln Memorial at the far end of the long Reflecting Pool, photographed from high above the Mall in the early 1920s. The Lincoln Memorial place probableHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-3005 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

The charred, collapsed roof of a large building, with men standing on it — 1922 Men pick through the burned-out roof of the Treasury after its second fire in 1922. The TreasuryHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-4393 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Aerial view of a snow-covered memorial and a long empty basin site — January 1922 The newly finished Lincoln Memorial from the air after the great snow of early 1922, with the Reflecting Pool site still bare before it. The Lincoln MemorialHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H234- A-4026 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A large old brick mansion with a smaller wing, debris and workers in the courtyard — March 14, 1922 The old Corcoran House, once Daniel Webster's home, being razed in March 1922. The White House and Lafayette Square place probableHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-4164 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A long ladder against the columns of a dome — August 26, 1922 A ladder rigged against the Capitol dome's colonnade for repainting, August 26, 1922. The CapitolNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 20207 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A man painting on the curved ironwork of a dome far above the city — August 26, 1922 A painter works high on the ribs of the Capitol dome, August 26, 1922. The CapitolNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 20206 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

An office stripped bare with floorboards up and workmen at work — June 25, 1923 Workmen lay new floors in the White House executive offices while the President is away, June 25, 1923. The White House and Lafayette SquareNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12295, v. 5 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Workmen with barrows in a long colonnaded corridor — 1924 Workmen tear up the Capitol corridor tiles laid in 1857, to be replaced with marble, 1924. The CapitolHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-8685 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

The Capitol dome and portico with lumber stacked on the plaza — February 2, 1925 Lumber for the inaugural stands piled before the Capitol, February 2, 1925. The CapitolNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 34090 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Wooden frames being built in rows on the plaza beside the Capitol — February 3, 1925 Rows of timber framing laid out on the Capitol plaza for Calvin Coolidge's inaugural stands, February 3, 1925. The CapitolNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 34126 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A Gothic stone cathedral apse with cranes beside it, a lawn in front — April 1925 The National Cathedral under construction in 1925, cranes still rising beside its first finished walls. The National CathedralHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H234- A-9603 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Wrecked wooden sheds and lumber by the water with the Washington Monument behind — August 10, 1925 The bath houses of the Tidal Basin bathing beach being torn down in August 1925, with the Washington Monument beyond. The Tidal Basin and Potomac ParkNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 36718 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A half-demolished hotel with bare roof timbers, the Capitol dome in the background — January 6, 1926 The roof of the old Capitol Hotel stripped to its rafters during demolition in January 1926, the Capitol dome rising behind. The Capitol place probableNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 38942 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Cranes and barges on a river at a construction site, a white memorial on the shore — c. 1926–27 Cranes and barges at work laying the foundations of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, 1926 or 1927, with the Lincoln Memorial on the shore. The Potomac waterfrontNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 41146 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A huge seated crowd on a slope, a Gothic church under construction with cranes behind — 1928 A vast crowd fills the hillside below the National Cathedral in 1928, cranes still standing over the unfinished building. The National CathedralHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-3008 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Empty stands among bare trees in a snowy park — February 21, 1929 The inaugural stands at the White House in the snow, February 21, 1929, a week before Hoover's inauguration. The White House and Lafayette SquareNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12299, v. 2 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A huge ornate building beside a low white office block — December 27, 1929 The State, War and Navy Building beside the fire-damaged executive offices, December 27, 1929. State, War and Navy BuildingNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12299, v. 4 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Men walking on a damaged roof with a flagpole — January 1930 Inspecting the burned roof of the White House offices after the fire, January 1930. The White House and Lafayette SquareHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-3784 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Piles of wreckage beside a damaged building with workmen — January 15, 1930 Debris from the West Wing fire piled on the executive office grounds, January 1930. The White House and Lafayette SquareHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-3781 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Steel framework and a crane over a building under repair — February 1, 1930 Reconstruction of the fire-damaged executive offices, February 1, 1930. The White House and Lafayette SquareNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12299, v. 4 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Other collections: Streetcars, motor cars and wagons · Votes for women · The war years, 1917–1919 · Parades, inaugurations and ceremonies · The cherry trees and the parks · Union Station and the railways · Daily life