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| THE WASHINGTON BUILDING - Comparison of the
German House with the building erected by the State of Washington
will show the influence of South German immigration on the new
commonwealth; but, although its form may not be original, the manner
of its construction must be regarded as characteristic of a proud and
enthusiastic people. Every timber, shingle, plank, board, nail and
other element of the spacious edifice was brought to Chicago from the
State of Washington. The timbers under the pavilions, by the manner
of their section from the log, were designed to reveal the
extraordinary height and diameter of Washington Trees, and all these
bulky and lengthy pieces of wood were transported from Washington.
Even the soil of the miniature farm, in the centre of the main
pavilion, was shoveled from the ground in the Palouse region, and
hauled to Chicago, that green grass from Washington might be seen
upon it. The paint of the building was brought from home, and
finally the Washingtonians came themselves to see their work. The
flag-staff before the building was regarded as the tallest one ever
raised in one piece of timber, standing two hundred and thirty-eight
feet high, and having only two and a half feet at its greatest
diameter. From it was unfurled the largest American flag ever made.
Within was exhibited the largest lump of coal, weighing twenty-six
tons. The timbers in the building were the largest ever laid. The
exhibit of the State was considered to have cost $2,000,000, and the
appropriation by the State amounted to $155,000. This building was
two hundred and twenty feet long, and was built by H. T. E. Wendell,
of Denver, architect. |
