Please see the Transcriber’s Notes at the end of this text.
Courtesy of Fairchild Aerial Surveys (Inc.).
THE HEART OF THE NATION’S CAPITAL
75TH CONGRESS, 3D SESSION· SENATE DOCUMENT NO. 178
A MANUAL ON THE
ORIGIN AND
DEVELOPMENT OF
WASHINGTON
By H. PAUL CAEMMERER, Ph. D.
“The City of Washington—the central star of the constellation
which enlightens the whole world.”
General Lafayette, as Guest of the Nation, October 12, 1824.
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1939
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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 280
Submitted by Mr. Hayden
In the Senate of the United States,
April 20 (calendar day, May 18), 1938.
Resolved, That the manuscript entitled “A Manual ofthe Plan of Washington,” prepared by H. P. Caemmerer,be printed in such style and manner as may be directedby the Joint Committee on Printing, as a Senate Document.
Attest:
Edwin A. Halsey,
Secretary.
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PREFACE
This Manual on the Origin and Development of Washington is published forthe use of students, particularly in high schools, desiring to make a study of theNational Capital a part of their course in civics.
The 25 chapters composing the book are of such interest and importance thatan hour a week may profitably be devoted to each, but the chapters on publicbuildings and monuments require each two or three periods for effective presentation.In this manner the Manual may serve as a textbook for a year’s work; itwill also be found helpful by the general reader interested in Washington.
The Manual deals historically with the founding and development of theNational Capital. Beginning with the twentieth century we find a new impetusgiven to the development of the city by the McMillan Park Commission of 1901.Its work has been carried forward by the Commission of Fine Arts and theNational Capital Park and Planning Commission, in cooperation with the Governmentof the District of Columbia, including the Zoning Commission; also, ofcourse, in cooperation with the President of the United States, officials of theGovernment, and the Congress of the United States, which by virtue of theFederal Constitution exercises “exclusive legis