Potomac Hill Historic Landscape Assessment Draft Final 2.13.2015 Table of Contents 3.1.4 Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery 4.1.4 Circulation Systems and Boundary (1942-Present) 13 Demarcations 21 3.2 Navy Hill 14 4.1.4.1 Circulation Systems 21 Executive Summary v 3.2.1 Hygienic Laboratory/National Institute of 4.1.4.2 Boundary Demarcations 22 1.0 Introduction 1 Health (1901-1940) 14 4.1.5 Vegetation 22 1.1 Overview 1 3.2.2 Coordinator of Information/Office of 4.1.5.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 22 Strategic Services (1941-1945) 16 1.2 Study Area 2 4.1.5.2 Analysis 23 3.2.3 Central Intelligence Agency (1946-1961) 17 1.2.1 Potomac Hill 2 4.1.6 Small-Scale Features 23 3.2.4 Central Intelligence Agency and State 1.2.1.1 Previous Studies – Potomac Annex 3 Department (1962-present) 18 4.1.6.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 23 1.2.1.2 Previous Studies - Navy Hill 4 4.0 Landscape Features and Existing 4.1.6.2 Analysis 24 2.0 Methodology 5 Conditions 17 4.1.7 Views and Vistas 25 2.1 Scope and Objectives 5 4.1 Potomac Annex 19 4.1.7.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 25 2.2 Background Research and Field Survey 5 4.1.1 Natural Systems and Features 19 4.1.7.2 Analysis 25 2.3 Assessment of Historic Landscape 4.1.1.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 19 4.2 Navy Hill 26 Features 5 4.1.1.2 Analysis 20 4.2.1 Natural Systems and Topography 26 3.0 Historic Periods of Development 6 4.1.2 Land Use 20 4.2.1.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 26 3.1 Potomac Annex 6 4.1.2.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 20 4.2.1.2 Analysis 26 3.1.1 Early History 6 4.1.2.2 Analysis 20 4.2.2 Land Use 26 3.1.2 The Old Naval Observatory (1842-1893) 6 4.1.3 Spatial Organization 20 4.2.2.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 26 3.1.3 The Naval Museum of Hygiene, Naval 4.1.3.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 20 4.2.2.2 Analysis 27 Hospital and Medical School (1894-1942) 10 4.1.3.2 Analysis 21 4.2.3 Spatial Organization 27

U.S. General Services Administration i Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015

Table of Contents 5.2 Navy Hill 37 6.0 References and Bibliography 8 3 4.2.3.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 27 4.2.3.2 Analysis 27 4.2.4 Circulation Systems and Boundary Demarcations 28 4.2.4.1 Roads, Parking Areas and Pedestrian Paths 28 4.2.4.2 Boundary Demarcations 28 4.2.5 Vegetation 29 4.2.5.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 29 4.2.5.2 Analysis 29 4.2.6 Small-Scale Features 29 4.2.6.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 29 4.2.6.2 Analysis 30 4.2.7 Views and Vistas 30 4.2.7.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 30 4.2.7.2 Analysis 30 4.3 Inventory of Landscape Features 30 5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 37 5.1 Potomac Annex 37

U.S. General Services Administration ii Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015

List of Tables 3.7 View of the Naval Observatory from the 4.2 1801 Lithograph of Georgetown and Washington Monument, 1885 10 Washington, D.C. Showing Potomac Hill in 3.8 View from the Washington Monument, 1900 11 the Mid-ground 19 4.1 Inventory of Contributing Landscape Features 31 3.9 Plan of the Naval Hospital, 1912 11 4.3 Maury Circle Drive with Parking 21 3.10 Plan of the Naval Hospital, 1920 12 4.4 23rd Street Concrete Wall Looking Northwest 22

3.11 Naval Hospital and Adjacent Grounds, 1932 12 4.5 Burr Oaks Along Maury Circle 23 List of Images 3.12 Grand Staircase from E Street 13 4.6 White Oak Tree Between Buildings 3 and 5 23 3.13 North View of Potomac Annex from the E 4.7 Nineteenth Century Depiction of the Naval

1.1 1792 L’Enfant Plan of Washington 1 Street Expressway, 1960s 14 Observatory 23 1.2 Site Vicinity 2 3.14 Hygienic Laboratory, 1904 14 4.8 Benjamin Rush Statue and Flagpole at Maury 1.3 Study Area 3 3.15 1909 Baist Map 15 Circle 24 3.1 1844 Strickland Plan of the Naval Observatory 7 3.16 Detail of 1916 Bird's Eye View of Washington, 4.9 Ca. 1865 View of the Observatory from Present- 3.2 Map of the U.S. Naval Observatory Grounds, D.C. 15 day Rosslyn, Virginia 24 ca. 1873 8 3.17 Aerial View of the Hygienic Laboratory, ca. 4.10 View of Georgetown from Potomac Hill 25 3.3 South View of Tree-lined Allée, 1888 9 1920 15 4.11 View from Potomac Annex Toward the 3.4 Southeast View of the Observatory, post Civil 3.18 1939 Baist Map 16 Washington Monument 25 War 9 3.19 1951 Aerial View of Potomac Hill 18 4.12 View from Potomac Annex to Arlington 3.5 Brick Patio with Herringbone Pattern, 3.20 1964 Aerial View of Potomac Hill Showing the National Cemetery 25 ca. 1888 9 E Street Freeway 918 4.13 View toward Potomac Hill from Arlington 3.6 Wrought Iron Grillwork with Gas Light at the 4.1 1791 L'Enfant Dotted Line Map Showing the National Cemetery 25 Naval Observatory Building 9 Original Topography of Potomac Hill 19 4.14 View of the Quadrangle from the Central Building 27

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List of Images

4.15 View of the North Building, Flagpole, and Stairs from E Street 28 4.16 Eastern Retaining Wall, Looking Southwest 29 4.17 Flowerbeds and Plantings Along the Façade of the East Building 29 4.18 Flowerbeds and Hedgerow Along the Quadrangle 29 4.19 View from the South Building Terrace Toward the Lincoln Memorial 30 4.20 Natural Systems and Topography Map 32 4.21 Land Use Map 33 4.22 Spatial Organization Map 33 4.23 Circulation Systems Map 34 4.24 Vegetation Map 34 4.25 Small-scale Feature Map 35 4.26 Views from Potomac Hill Map 35 4.27 Views toward Potomac Hill Map 36

U.S. General Services Administration iv Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015

its contribution to Naval and United States Contributing landscape features include: history, though preparation of a form Executive documenting Building 2 and establishing • topography boundaries did not occur until 1977 (listed in • land use • circulation 1978). A draft NRHP nomination for the Old • spatial organization Naval Observatory Historic District was Summary • vegetation prepared in 1993 by GSA, though never formally • small-scale features, and On behalf of the United States General Services submitted for listing in the NRHP. The west • views and vistas. Administration (GSA) and the Department of portion of Potomac Hill, Navy Hill, is also an State (DOS), the Goody Clancy Berger Joint NRHP-eligible historic district. In 2010 GSA The majority of the landscape features identified Venture (GCB) completed a survey and prepared an NRHP form for the E Street at Navy Hill date from the turn of the twentieth evaluation of the Potomac Hill landscape in Complex Historic District, though it was never century through 1961. At Navy Hill the periods of Washington, D.C. This study will be used in formally submitted for listing. A revised use are: support of GSA’s ongoing cultural resource nomination will be completed during the management program and in the development preparation of the Master Plan, combining the • Hygienic Laboratory/National Institutes of a Master Plan for Potomac Hill’s future two NRHP-eligible districts into a single historic of Health (1901-1940) development. It partially fulfills GSA’s district. • Coordinator of Information/Office of responsibility under Sections 106 and 110 of the Strategic Services (1941-1945) The historic landscape survey for Potomac Hill National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). • Central Intelligence Agency (1946-1961), was limited to resources within the property The objective of this study was to identify and now in custody and control of GSA and did not landscape features, such as roads, paths, • Central Intelligence Agency and State include Quarters AA, BB, or CC (U.S. Navy) or designated open spaces, and other elements Department (1962-present). Buildings 6 and 7 (U.S. Institute of Peace), that have not been previously defined by cultural though these buildings are included within the Contributing landscape features include: resources studies, and determine if the features NRHP boundaries of the Old Naval Observatory are contributing resources to the Old Naval • topography Historic District. Features were evaluated as Observatory and E Street Complex Historic • land use contributing or non-contributing elements to Districts. • spatial organization, and their associated districts. • views and vistas. Potomac Hill encompasses 11.8 acres near the At Potomac Annex the landscape survey intersection of 23rd and E streets NW in identified features from various periods of use: downtown Washington, D.C. The campus was historically divided into two areas, now referred • the Old Naval Observatory (1842-1893) to as Potomac Annex and Navy Hill. The east • the Naval Museum of Hygiene, Hospital half of the campus, Potomac Annex, is a and Medical School (1894-1942), and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)- • the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery eligible historic district that also contains one (1942-present). National Historic Landmark (NHL). The Old Naval Observatory (Building 2) was individually designated as an NHL on January 12, 1965. It was listed in the NRHP on October 15, 1966 for

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Historic Landscape Assessment

1.1). The land was eventually named Reservation 1.0 Introduction No. 4. There were occasional military encampments at the site, but no fortifications 1.1 Overview were built. The Observatory operated at this 23rd Street site during the latter half of the On behalf of the United States General Services nineteenth century, but because of less than Administration (GSA) and the Department of optimal conditions for astronomical observation State (DOS), the Goody Clancy Berger Joint and generally unhealthy conditions along the Venture (GCB) has completed a survey and Potomac, a new Observatory was built on a site evaluation of the Potomac Hill landscape in along Massachusetts Avenue in the 1880s. Washington, D.C. This study will be used in Following the departure of the Observatory in support of GSA’s ongoing cultural resource 1893, the site was occupied by a series of Naval management program and in the development Medical institutions: the Museum of Hygiene of a Master Plan for Potomac Hill’s future (1894-1905) and the Naval Hospital and Medical development. It partially fulfills GSA’s School (1902-1942). After the opening of responsibility under Sections 106 and 110 of the Bethesda Naval Hospital in 1942, and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). transfer of the Naval Hospital and Medical The objective of the study was to identify School to that facility, the former Observatory landscape features, such as roads, paths, and and grounds were tenanted by the Navy’s designed open spaces, and determine if the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery until 2012. features are contributing resources to National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-eligible The Old Naval Observatory Historic District, historic districts. The study covered two areas which encompasses the same boundaries as within Potomac Hill: the Potomac Annex and the Potomac Annex, is historically significant Navy Hill. and is eligible for listing in the NRHP because of its contribution to the study of oceanography, When the Old Naval Observatory was built on astronomy, and navigation during the the Potomac Annex site in 1844, the nineteenth century, for its association with Image 1.1: 1792 L'Enfant Plan of Washington (Ellicott 1792) surrounding grounds were largely undeveloped. advances in the field of naval medicine, and for The Observatory was sited prominently on a hill its embodiment of the Georgian Revival style of facility (John Cullinane Associates and delineation for the NHL were completed in 1977 overlooking the confluence of Tiber Creek and architecture. The period of significance for the Robinson 2001; Miller 2008). The Old Naval and listed in 1978 (Schroer and Lewis 1977). the Potomac River. The property was left open district begins in 1842, with the selection of the Observatory (Building 2) was individually in the 1791 L’Enfant plan for Washington; The west portion of Potomac Hill, now known site for the Depot of Charts and Instruments, recognized as a National Historic Landmark because of its prominent position along the as Navy Hill, remained mostly undeveloped until and extends to 1942, when the Naval Medical (NHL) in 1965 and listed in the NRHP in 1966 for Potomac, the site was viewed as an ideal the turn of the twentieth century, when Center was relocated to Bethesda, Maryland, its contribution to Naval and United States location for fortification or university (Image Congress appropriated funds for the and the complex became an administrative history. Formal documentation and a boundary construction of a new building for the Public

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Health and Marine-Hospital Service’s Laboratory, and ending in 1961, when the CIA (PH&MHS) Hygienic Laboratory. In March 1904 moved its headquarters to Langley, Virginia, the laboratory moved to its newly completed based on research submitted to GSA by DCPL building, later known as the North Building (Sefton et al. 2013). (demolished), and an additional laboratory building, the Central Building, was completed in GCB’s investigation included background 1920. After the transformation of the Hygienic research, field survey, and analysis. The historic Laboratory into the National Institutes of Health landscape survey was conducted under the (NIH) in 1930, two additional buildings, the supervision of Principal Architectural Historian South and the East buildings, were constructed Steven Bedford. Architectural Historian Sarah in 1933-1935. In 1938 the NIH vacated the Navy Groesbeck conducted the survey, compiled Hill complex and moved to its new Bethesda archival research, and wrote the report. campus. At the onset of World War II, the newly Architectural Historian Camilla Deiber assisted established Coordinator of Information (COI) in writing the report. Anne Moiseev edited the office, which soon after became the Office of document, and the graphics were prepared by Strategic Services (OSS), took over the Jacqueline Horsford. complex. The OSS and later the CIA remained 1.2 Study Area the primary occupants of the complex until 1961, when the agency moved to its new headquarters 1.2.1 Potomac Hill in Langley, Virginia. The complex continued to be used by the CIA until it came under DOS Potomac Hill is located in the Northwest control in 1987. It has since been used by DOS quadrant of the District of Columbia on one of as an annex. the highest elevation points in the L’Enfant- planned area of the District (Images 1.2 and 1.3). Navy Hill has been determined eligible for the The study area includes both the Potomac NRHP as the complex in which the Hygienic Annex to the East and Navy Hill to the west. Laboratory of the United States Public Health Land not held by GSA—Navy land including Service and later the NIH made significant Quarters AA, BB, and CC and land transferred advances in research relating to health and to the U.S. Institute of Peace, including disease, particularly in the research of Buildings 6 and 7—are not included in the study infectious and dietary-deficiency diseases. The area. established period of significance is 1919 to 1941 (Young 2010). Navy Hill has also been acknowledged by GSA as significant for its role in the early formation of the OSS, with an extended period of significance beginning in 1903, 1 with the completion of the Hygienic

1 The year 1903 marks the beginning construction date of the North Building, which is no longer extant. Image 1.2: Site Vicinity U.S. General Services Administration 2 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015

The site’s elevated topographic position is one site made it an ideal site for a military features related to the site’s development as the Although listed as an NHL in 1965, the NRHP of its defining features and was a critical factor fortification, especially as a defensive position United States Naval Observatory (1842-1894), the registration form documenting Building 2 was in the selection of the site for an observatory. against an attack from the British navy, a major Naval Museum of Hygiene (1894-1902), the Navy not prepared until 1977 and listed in 1978. The When designing the City of Washington, Pierre threat to the new capital city in the late Medical School and Medical School Hospital nomination described the architectural L’Enfant left the site open. The site eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. (1902-1942), and the administrative headquarters condition, integrity, and historical evolution of encompasses a hill that overlooked the Formal fortifications were never built, but the of the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery the building; provided a boundary delineation; Potomac River and the mouth of the Tiber Creek site had a continuous Navy presence from 1842 (1942-2012). Until 2012, when the property was and used the statement of significance from the (now filled). The hill rises to an elevation of 96 until 2012. transferred to GSA, the Potomac Annex earlier NHL designation (Schroer and Lewis feet above mean sea level (amsl), higher than grounds experienced 165 years of continuous 1977). the reservations set aside for the President’s Potomac Annex contains archeological occupation and use by the Navy. Currently, the House and the Capitol. The topography of the resources, historic buildings, and landscape only portions of the site retained by the Navy are 1993 Draft National Register Nomination Form Quarters AA, BB, and CC, which are under A draft NRHP nomination prepared by GSA in long-term lease to a private developer. 1993 identified an NRHP-eligible historic district Navy Hill’s historic resources and landscape encompassing most of the principal buildings at features reflect its use since just after the turn of Potomac Annex. Entitled the “Naval Medical the twentieth century by the Marine-Hospital School and Washington Naval Hospital,” the Service’s Hygienic Laboratory (later the NIH) proposed historic district nomination identified (1904-1938), the COI and OSS (1941-1945), and Buildings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 as contributing the headquarters of the CIA from 1947 until 1961, resources to the district. While acknowledging when its headquarters moved to Langley. the NHL significance of Building 2, the historic district nomination states that the seven 1.2.1.1 Previous Studies – Potomac Annex contributing buildings are linked by their 1965 National Historic Landmark, Building 2 architectural design and historical associations with the Naval Medical School and Hospital. On January 12, 1965, Building 2 of the Old Naval The nomination states that the district meets Observatory was designated an NHL. Building 2 NRHP Criteria A and C “for its role in the is nationally significant because of its development of Naval medicine, its association contribution to the fields of oceanography, with a distinguished architect, Ernest Flagg, and navigation, and astronomy. Under the direction its architectural unity.” The nomination further of Matthew Fontaine Maury, the observatory’s states that the district is eligible in the areas of first superintendent (between 1844 and 1861), Architecture and Health/Medicine during the the Observatory became a world leader in period from 1894 to 1908. The three quarters for scientific research and the development of the naval medical officers at Potomac Annex new field of oceanography. The Old Naval (Quarters A, B, and C) were specifically Observatory was also listed in the NRHP on identified by the nomination as excluded from October 15, 1966, following the establishment of the historic district (Wheat 1993). According to the NRHP (Lewis 1964; National Historic subsequent reports, the proposed historic Landmarks Program [NHLP] 2007). district nomination was never submitted to the Image 1.3: Study Area Keeper of the National Register of Historic

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Places (John Cullinane Associates and A Historic Landscape Survey conducted in 2005 structures’ condition and integrity, and final currently part of the U.S. Institute of Peace, Robinson & Associates, Inc. [JCA and by the Navy (Louis Berger 2005) focused on the recommendations were developed in located south of the Potomac Annex property Robinson] 2001). grounds and landscaped areas of the Potomac accordance with Sections 106 and 110 of the (see Figure 1.4). Annex site and provided a framework for NHPA and the guidelines and regulations of the 2001 Intensive-Level Architectural Survey determining the NRHP eligibility of identified Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 2011 National Register Nomination Form/DC Historic Landmark Application The firms of John Cullinane Associates and historic landscape features and elements. The (ACHP). Robinson & Associates, Inc. (JCA and landscape survey report contained a concise As a result of that study, Louis Berger In 2011 DCPL submitted a National Register Robinson), conducted an intensive-level survey historic context describing the evolution of the recommended the Potomac Annex Historic Nomination for the Old Naval Observatory and of Potomac Annex in 2001 that documented the site’s landscape, described remaining historic District as meeting NRHP significance and applied for DC Historic Landmark status. The resources on the site and determined NRHP landscape features, and evaluated the integrity criteria and as eligible for listing in the form states that the property is significant under eligibility for Potomac Annex as a historic landscape features’ NRHP eligibility. The report NRHP under Criteria A, C, and D. The proposed all NRHP criteria and that the recommended district. The survey report determined that the noted that the Potomac Annex’s landscape had historic district includes all principal buildings period of significance is 1842-1942. Associated installation as a whole is eligible for the NRHP undergone much alteration since its on the Potomac Annex site as well as areas of significance are science, under Criterion A, as the “home of significant establishment as the Naval Observatory. The archeological remains and landscape features health/medicine, military, architecture, and Naval institutions that have contributed to the report further observed that, except for the and elements. Archeological resources landscape architecture. The nomination form scientific fields of astronomy, timekeeping, location of the individual buildings at Potomac included the 1844 Magnetic Observatory and lists 16 contributing and 11 non-contributing navigation, oceanography, hygiene, and Annex, landscape features associated with the tunnel, brick foundations, and a trash deposit resources within the property boundaries. medicine” (JCA and Robinson 2001:23). Further, site’s evolution as a medical facility between associated with the Naval Hospital. Louis Contributing resources include 10 buildings, the report recommended the Potomac Annex as 1894 and 1942 also did not survive or possessed Berger also recommended Quarters AA, BB, three archeological sites, and associated NRHP-eligible under Criterion C, architecture. very little integrity and the landscape was not and CC as meeting NRHP significance and landscape features (Miller 2008). The application The main buildings at Potomac Annex were eligible for listing in the NRHP. The report eligibility criteria as individual buildings and as is pending review. designed by noted architect Ernest Flagg, identified individual features that survived and eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion known for his hospital designs and innovative were determined contributing elements of the 1.2.1.2 Previous Studies - Navy Hill historic district. C (Louis Berger 2007). use of reinforced concrete. The remaining 2010 National Register Nomination Form buildings as a group form a “coherent 2007 Cultural Resources Survey/National Register The 2007 study’s recommended boundary of the architectural complex that is compatible with rd In 2010 A.D. Marble & Company prepared a Determination of Eligibility district follows E Street NW on the north, 23 the two earlier buildings, expressing their Street on the east, and DOS property on the National Register nomination for the E Street origins as a unified functional group” (JCA and In 2007 Louis Berger conducted a survey of west, which follows the current boundary lines Complex for GSA. The nomination Robinson 2001:24). The recommended period of Potomac Annex that synthesized prior for the Navy’s Potomac Annex. The south recommends the property as significant under significance begins in 1842, when the site was architectural and archeological investigations boundary of the historic district follows the toe National Register Criterion A under the area of selected as the location of the U.S. Naval into one document containing pertinent of the slope adjacent to the north terraced Health/Medicine. The complex was found to be Observatory, and extends to 1942, when the architectural and archeological information on parking lot. This small portion of parking lot significant for the research conducted by the Naval Medical Center was relocated to the facility’s above- and below-ground land was excluded from the historic district Hygienic Laboratory and NIH related to the Bethesda, Maryland (JCA and Robinson resources. The survey also aimed to provide because it did not reflect its historical discovery and research of infectious diseases 2001:24). additional analysis and recommendations for appearance as part of the Potomac Annex and dietary-deficiency diseases. This research the NRHP eligibility of Potomac Annex’s landscape and it possessed low probability for led to pasteurization regulations still in effect 2005 Historic Landscape Survey architectural resources. Existing historical data intact archeological remains. Since the 2007 today. The buildings were the primary locations and earlier survey reports were reviewed, a site study, this section of the Potomac Annex within which this research and subsequent visit documented the existing historic property is no longer part of the campus and is health advocacy took place. The period of

U.S. General Services Administration 4 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 significance, 1919-1941, begins with the involved taking digital photographs and detailed historical conditions, concluding with a construction of the Central building in 1919 and 2.0 Methodology written notes, and assessing the integrity of determination regarding the historical integrity ends in the year that Public Health Service identified landscape features. and significance of each landscape (PHS) and NIH moved to Bethesda, Maryland. 2.1 Scope and Objectives characteristic and associated feature within the All three buildings in the complex were included The objective of this landscape survey is to 2.3 Assessment of Historic context of the landscape as a whole. Extant as contributing buildings in the nomination assist GSA with its obligations in complying Landscape Features characteristics and features evaluated as (Young 2010). with Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966, as “contributing” are those that were present The historic landscape survey for Potomac Hill amended. The study included archival research, during the period of significance, are associated 2013 National Register Nomination Form/DC was limited to resources within the property field survey to determine existing conditions with the historical significance of the landscape, Historic Landmark Application now in custody and control of GSA and did not and identify historic landscape features, and an and retain sufficient integrity to convey the include Quarters AA, BB, or CC (U.S. Navy) or The DCPL completed a National Register evaluation of landscape features as contributing historical character of the property. Buildings 6 and 7 (U.S. Institute of Peace), Nomination for the E Street Complex in 2013 that elements of the NRHP-eligible Old Naval Characteristics evaluated as “non-contributing” though these buildings are included within the expanded the period of significance and areas Observatory Historic District and the E Street are those that were not present during the NRHP boundaries of the Old Naval Observatory of significance under which the complex is Complex Historic District. period of significance, do not relate to the Historic District. The two areas were evaluated eligible for the NRHP. The 2013 nomination historical significance, or that have changed to as two separate entities; after the Hygienic asserts that the property is significant under all 2.2 Background Research and an extent that makes it difficult to convey the Laboratory began its tenancy at Navy Hill in NRHP criteria in the areas of archeology historical character of the property. The Field Survey 1901, the two areas operated individually and (historic–non-aboriginal), architecture, description and analysis is followed by an developed as discrete entities. The areas health/medicine, military, and To accurately identify and evaluate landscape inventory of all identified features and their eventually developed individual circulation politics/government. It recommends an features, background research was conducted contributing or non-contributing status. systems, spatial organization, and separate expanded period of significance from 1903, on the historical appearance of the properties entrances and were even topographically when the PH&MHS’s Hygienic Laboratory was and how they evolved over time. The majority of divided by the large retaining wall between completed, to 1961, when CIA headquarters the research for the survey was conducted at the Potomac Annex and Navy Hill. Only after the were moved from the E Street Complex to Library of Congress, at the Martin Luther King, construction of the E Street Expressway in the Langley, Virginia. The expanded period of Jr. Library’s Washingtoniana Room, and using 1960s, which removed Navy Hill’s entrances on E significance includes World War II use of the online Congressional records and the NIH’s and 25th streets, were the two areas rejoined property by the COI and OSS. Similar to the online library and photo archives. Research through shared 23rd Street entrances. previous nomination, this nomination includes resources primarily consisted of historical maps all three buildings as contributing resources and photographs. Period accounts and The assessment is arranged to reflect the two (Sefton et al. 2013). The application is pending narratives were used to help reconstruct the landscapes. Chapter 4.0 includes a narrative review. appearance of the landscapes. Previous cultural description of landscape features and existing resource reports were used to develop an conditions. Current conditions were analyzed by applicable historic context for the evaluation of landscape characteristics, including natural the landscapes surveyed. systems and features, land use, spatial organization, circulation and boundary After the baseline conditions of the landscapes demarcations, vegetation, small-scale features, were researched, a field survey was undertaken and views and vistas. Each of the landscape to document existing conditions and determine characteristics was evaluated based on a what landscape characteristics remain intact. comparison between existing conditions and Fieldwork was conducted during April 2014 and

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streets to the east). The hill, then known as The hill was among the plots of private land from Braddock’s Rock, which was large and 3.0 Historic Periods of Peters Hill, was owned by Robert Peter. conveyed to the United States for public projected into the river. Quarrying and buildings, reservations, and streets without fee. construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Development As a conspicuous landmark in the new federal The land between 23rd and 25th streets and E along the south end of the site diminished the city’s landscape, Potomac Hill was featured in Street and the river was assigned as size of the rock; when the towpath bank was 3.1 Potomac Annex plans for the new federal city. In early 1791 Reservation No. 4. constructed, a large portion of the rock was President George Washington favored the area blasted and removed (Taggart 1908:166-167). 3.1.1 Early History of Hamburg as the site for the new city’s In 1795 the Commissioners of the Federal City principal government buildings. In a draft chose the hill as the site of the National Potomac Hill has been a prominent point on the 3.1.2 The Old Naval Observatory presidential proclamation, Thomas Jefferson, University, a pet project of George Washington landscape, both topographically (1842-1893) then Secretary of State, wrote, “the highest Washington’s, which he later wrote in his will and historically, since early in the history of summit of lands in the town heretofore called was “where the youth of our country may be The United States Naval Observatory is one of English settlement of the area. The first record Hamburgh, within said territory, with a able to free themselves from local prejudices the oldest scientific agencies in the country. In of English ownership of the land dates to 1664, convenient extent of grounds circumjacent, and jealousies pregnant of mischievous 1825 President John Quincy Adams, who was when King Charles II granted 600 acres of land shall be appropriated for a capitol for the consequences to our county” (as quoted in also an amateur astronomer, asked Congress to John Longworth that became known as accommodation of Congress” (Tindall 1914:69). Herman 1982:13). The University was never for an appropriation for the construction of an Widow’s Mite (Herman 1996:2). In April 1755 An accompanying drawing showed the capitol realized, though a few early maps referred to the astronomical observatory. Established in 1831 as British troops led by General Braddock are said around the location of the White House and the site as University Square. the Depot of Charts and Instruments in a rented to have landed at the base of the hill on their way President’s House located in the area of building near the White House, the Depot’s to Fort Duquesne in Pennsylvania. Troops were Potomac Hill (Tindall 1914:69). 3 Among the firsts that occurred at Potomac Hill early mission was to care for the U.S. Navy’s ferried across the Potomac from Virginia to a was the first concert held in the new capital city. chronometers, charts, and other navigational rock on the river bank known as Braddock’s Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s plan ultimately moved On Sunday, August 20, 1800, the Marine Band, equipment. In 1842 a bill was passed for the Rock. 2 Braddock’s troops encamped overnight the Capitol and President’s House to the east; composed of clarinets, oboes, and 32 fifes and Navy to contract for the construction of a on the hill before continuing on their journey however, his plan indicates that he, too, saw the drums, played among the tents of the Marine building for the Depot of Charts and (Herman 1996:2). The Rock was also called the value of the hilltop location. L’Enfant’s military encampment. The hill was the home of a Instruments. Construction of the building, now Key of All Keys since it was used as a Manuscript Map shows the area as open with a Marine encampment for two years until the known as the Old Naval Observatory (Building benchmark and the initial point of several of the hook-shaped nondescript feature; later maps of completion of permanent barracks in southeast 2), at the United States Navy’s Potomac Annex original land grants in the area (Van Zandt L’Enfant’s plan, including one by Andrew Washington. Following the Marine’s removal, facility was begun in July 1843 and completed in 1976:91). rd st Ellicott, show the area as a fortification (see the 3 Battalion, 1 Legion of Militia 1844 (Herman 1996). This area of Washington Image 1.1). occasionally encamped on the hill between 1811 A portion of the land just east of Potomac Hill was known as Foggy Bottom because of mists and 1815. The soldiers marched from Potomac was purchased by Jacob Funk in 1768 for the that formed during late night and early morning Hill to Bladensburg in 1814 to head off British creation of a town called Hamburg (bounded by from the humidity and proximity to the Potomac 3 troops advancing toward Washington during 23rd Street to the west, H Street to the north, the Jan Herman (1996) wrote that Jefferson chose Potomac River. The Secretary of the Navy’s report on the the War of 1812 (Herman 1982:13). Following the Potomac to the south, and between 18th and 19th Hill as the site for the capitol, perhaps based on an construction of the Observatory shows that Lt. interpretation of that same text. Jefferson’s drawing shows end of the war, the hill was vacant until the James Melville Gilliss took plans for the buildings laid out roughly as described by Tindall, though 1840s. 2 There is no specific historical evidence of Braddock’s the locations of buildings are not precisely located on the observatory to Europe for consultation with English and European astronomers. Rock’s association with the General, though a nineteenth- rough sketch. Regardless of a lack of definitive knowledge The site was used as a quarry for early public century local tradition. The rock was historically part of the of what was planned, it is clear that the city’s planners Suggestions were incorporated into the new buildings; tradition states that rock for the Observatory grounds but is now part of the eastern regarded the Potomac Hill area as valuable and sought to plans drawn up in London. Gilliss chose the approach to Roosevelt Bridge, located approximately 15 incorporate the location into their plans for the District of building of the Capitol and White House came location following the advice of the astronomer feet below grade, marked by a plaque (Herman 1996:2) Columbia.

U.S. General Services Administration 6 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 royal at Greenwich. Gilliss had originally chosen instruments were removed and eventually the Specifications for the 1848 improvements to the a more astronomically advantageous location, access tunnel to the observatory was sealed grounds indicate that the area within the walls but the royal astronomer believed that (Herman 1996:18-19). was smoothed and graded with embankments architectural effect was a more important (Bureau of Medicine 1848). Although consideration. Accordingly, Gilliss chose the In 1844 William Strickland was commissioned to Strickland’s plan for circular terraces was location at the intersection of the D and 24th prepare a plan for the improvement of the approved, it was never brought to fruition. This street axes (U.S. Congress, Senate 1845:3). grounds and plans for the construction of effort may have resulted in the more gently officers’ houses (Image 3.1) (Gilchrist 1950:105- sloping hillside from the observatory south to The underground magnetic observatory was 106). One of the foremost architects of the time, the Potomac, visible in later prints and completed at the same time as the Observatory, Strickland’s Second Bank of the United States photographs from the late nineteenth century. its specifications part of the original building in Philadelphia is one of the most outstanding Two springs were to be excavated and walled contract for the property. This underground examples of the Greek Revival style that exists up; the lower spring was to become a reservoir 8 structure was one of many fixed magnetic today (Philadelphia Architects and Buildings feet deep and 3 feet in diameter, covered by a observation stations that were being Project 2003). Strickland’s plan for the grounds blue stone slab with a granite basin for water. constructed worldwide during this period. depicts the already completed observatory and The upper spring (southeast of the These efforts were part of a global interest in underground magnetic observatory enclosed by Observatory) was excavated and a water-tight terrestrial magnetism and stemmed from the two concentric rings of terracing. A circular cistern installed from which a lead pipe carried belief that greater knowledge of the Earth’s drive fronts the building, connecting it to the water to a granite basin. Carriage ways and magnetism could aid in navigation. This cross- two proposed officers’ quarters on either side of walks were covered with gravel, a wire fence shaped underground room was constructed the circle. A north gate, flanked by two with wrought iron posts was to line the road to southwest of the Observatory and connected via “lodges,” opened to the circular drive leading the street, and two ornamental cast iron posts a 52-foot stone and brick tunnel. The chamber, directly to the Naval Observatory and quarters. placed at the entrance to the Observatory. 10 feet wide, 10 feet, tall, and 70 feet long in each The east gate led to the yard of one of the Specifications called for blue stone steps direction, was fitted with magnetometers set on proposed quarters. constructed along embankments and along the stone piers at the west, south, and east ends. The landscaping plan included a perimeter wall north side of the property (Bureau of Medicine Scales and reading telescopes at the center of Image 3.1: 1844 Strickland Plan of the Naval 1848). the magnetic observatory allowed remote with a gate in the east wall on an axis with D Observatory (Strickland 1844a) readings of the magnetometers. Street. In a letter from Strickland to J.Y. Mason, Gilliss’s account of the construction of the Secretary of the Navy, dated August 10, 1844, raising the said wall are to be the best red brick Observatory notes that the hill was of “gravel Unfortunately, cost-cutting measures Strickland recommended grading the grounds and they are to be laid and filled in with formation” with a clay surface (U.S. Congress, substituted wood for the construction of the prior to the construction of the walls. The mortar…” (as quoted in SCHA 2000:82). In Senate 1845:3). The same year that the grounds walls and roof of the chamber. The room leaked grading was approved by Mason in a letter dated addition, some plantings and sidewalk layout were graded, gravel from Camp Hill was used in almost immediately; John Quincy Adams September 18, 1844 (Strickland 1844b). By 1845 were implemented” (Bryan and Sessford the grading and leveling of 19th Street along K reported in 1845 that leaks from the ground or the grounds had been enclosed by a brick 1908:330 ). It appears, however, that Street (National Intelligencer 1948). rain had halted observation and would soon perimeter wall and terracing begun (SHCA improvements were slow to be completed, since damage equipment. Attempts to procure 2000). The material of the wall was not in 1848 the grounds were described as being “in Descriptions of the grounds even from this early funding to replace the wood with brick failed. documented in any of the records from that a course of improvement” as walks and trees date show that it was meant to have a park-like Flooding continued; by the fall of 1845, water time; however, a contract from 1853 to raise the continued to be planted (Bryan and Sessford setting, a “delightful place for recreation, being was several inches deep, the wood walls began walls on the east, south, and west sides states, 1908:338). on an eminence, and affording a splendid view to decay, and sections of the roof gave way. The “The bricks, including the coping bricks used in of this city, Georgetown, Alexandria, and the

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District” (Bryan and Sessford 1908:330). In 1850 the Prime Meridian (the zero-degree Descriptions emphasized views from the hill in meridian for the U.S.) was created to pass all directions. Indeed, prints of the grounds through the center of the Naval Observatory’s dating from the nineteenth century emphasize dome. The idea of a national meridian had been its park setting by depicting the grounds with proposed previously, with the U.S. Capitol and pedestrians strolling along its walks and paths the White House both proposed as meridians, or picnicking on the lawn in Maury Circle. but never legally defined by Congress. The Morrison’s Strangers’ Guide to the City of question came to a head as the Observatory was Washington of 1852 states that the grounds “are about to publish an American Nautical not laid out yet as they should be…. We hope to Almanac; an American meridian was thought to see them adorned as our other public walks provide greater accuracy for astronomical and about Washington, when they will become a geographical operations for North America, but charming resort to the stranger visiting the it would be inconvenient for navigators using Metropolis.” Nonetheless, the guide also states the Greenwich meridian. An 1850 report to the that the Observatory “has become one of the House of Representatives highlighted that a prettiest spots in Washington, and has national astronomical meridian was the “policy increased the value of property very much in of every enlightened nation on the globe” (U.S. that part of the city” (Morrison 1852:104). Congress, House of Representatives 1850:2). The report also proposed that the meridian In 1845 a local time service was added by should be used as the American meridian for request of the Secretary of the Navy. A black astronomy while the Greenwich meridian canvas time ball (2.5 feet in diameter) was raised continued to be used for nautical purposes. On every day at 10 minutes before noon on the September 28, 1850 Congress legally defined the flagpole atop the Observatory’s dome. At observatory meridian for astronomical exactly noon the ball was dropped. The purposes. It remained in used until 1912, when Observatory’s prominent location allowed it to Congress repealed it. An allée 4 was added to be seen by ships on the river and local citizens, the circular carriage drive that connected a who could set their clocks according to the drop proposed opening in the north wall with the (Herman 1996:9). main entry into the Old Naval Observatory. As As the Depot’s mission evolved and expanded, early as 1857, Boschke’s Map of Washington City it was reestablished as the U.S. Naval illustrated the circular drive and allée with a Observatory. From 1844 to 1893, important formal arrangement of evenly spaced trees both scientific studies were carried out at the inside and outside the drive. Natural groves of Observatory at Foggy Bottom, such as speed of light measurements, observation of solar 4An allée is a tree-lined pathway, a feature of the French eclipses, and work for the Transit of Venus formal garden, that was both a promenade and an expeditions in 1874 and 1882. In addition, the extension of the view of the garden, which ended in a publication of astronomical and nautical terminal feature or extended into infinity at the horizon. almanacs began there in 1855 (Herman 1996). The allée normally passed through a small, planted wood (Morris Arboretum, University of Pennsylvania 2004). Image 3.2: Map of the U.S. Naval Observatory Grounds, ca. 1873 (Bauman ca. 1873)

U.S. General Services Administration 8 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 trees appear to fill the remaining landscape located on the south end of the now T-shaped water features were likely the same springs (Boschke 1857). building (Image 3.2). mentioned in the 1848 construction specifications for the improvement of the During the Civil War the Observatory’s staff was A long sweeping drive ran west from the Observatory grounds. reduced as officers were reassigned. Those circular drive around to the south end of the site remaining aided the war effort by printing and to the gardener’s shed, hay barn, and other Other small-scale features from this period distributing navigation charts of the shoreline outbuildings. Kitchen gardens were located include wire fences and railings with ornate from Galveston, Texas, to Norfolk, Virginia, to behind the barnyards (JCA and Robinson 2001). wrought iron grillwork and gates, which appear aid the southern blockade. The landscape of the A formal garden is also depicted north of this in the late nineteenth century adjacent to the hill was little changed. A picket fence along the area, following the east-west axis of the north entrance adjacent to the north entrance of northern border of the grounds was destroyed Observatory. The remainder of the site is the Old Naval Observatory. Gas lamps, as part of a firewood-gathering effort on the part landscaped with scattered groves of trees and a introduced in the 1860s, were placed along the Image 3.3: South View of Tree-lined Allée, 1888 of local residents before the war began, and on line of trees along E Street, NW. The allée front of the Observatory and at its rear (Image (Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Naval Medical the east side of the grounds part of the wall had bisecting Maury Circle is further documented in 3.6). Department 1888) fallen down and required repair. Like many parts a photograph dated 1888 (Image 3.3). Along the In her book Ten Years in Washington: Life and of wartime Washington, the Observatory was allée posts with rope cording delineated the or use during this period. The map shows Scenes in the National Capital as a Woman Sees surrounded by soldiers during the war: to the separation of the walkway from the adjacent additional structures immediately southwest of north, barracks of Camp Fry lined both sides of grass area, possibly used for horse grazing, as the Observatory, most of which were frame 23rd Street to south of Washington Circle. horses appear in various period photographs buildings and structures. One brick building, Simon Newcomb, Professor of Mathematics at (Image 3.4). labeled on the map as #12, was a brick building the Observatory, described Arlington Heights used as a storeroom for the 1874 Transit of The Bauman map shows one structure on the across the Potomac as “whitened by the tents of Venus expedition. Additional features include a west side of the property identified as a soldiers” (Herman 1996:22). cistern on the brick-paved area directly magnetic observatory. This observatory does southeast of the Observatory, which was The Bauman (1873) map of the Observatory not appear on maps of the property before the removed by ca. 1888 (Image 3.5), and a spring at depicts the buildings, roads, pathways, and 1870s, and little is known about its construction the southwest corner of the property. These two grounds on the site following the Civil War. The map shows that the site had steep slopes on its north and west sides. A new gate at 23rd and E streets, instead of at D Street, provided access to the circular carriage drive on the north side of the building. The earliest photograph of the gate shows two stone gateposts with wrought iron, onion-shaped finials and a wrought iron gate (JCA and Robinson 2001:4/14). The Observatory by that time had become a T-shaped structure with additions on its east, west, and south sides housing clock rooms, offices, and storage Image 3.6: Wrought Iron Grillwork with Gas rooms. The “Great Equatorial Telescope,” was Image 3.4: Southeast View of the Observatory, Image 3.5: Brick Patio with Herringbone Light at the Naval Observatory Building (Bureau post Civil War (Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Pattern, ca. 1888 (U.S. Naval Observatory Library of Medicine and Surgery, Naval Medical Department Naval Medical Department) 1888) n.d.)

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Them, Mary Clemmer Ames describes a older buildings as being in a dilapidated for the Observatory (Herman 1996). That same uses, alterations were made to the building, but midsummer night visit to the Naval Observatory condition (U.S. Congress, House 1875:81). A year the first attempts to move the observatory essentially the character of the original just before the Great Equatorial Telescope was marsh at the base of Observatory Hill was were made. Although the Barber Estate north of building’s exterior was respected (Image 3.8). completed and the view from the roof of the growing larger because of the siltation of the Georgetown was acquired a few years later The one major exterior change was to the Great Observatory building: Potomac River, bringing with it mosquitoes through a Congressional appropriation, no Equatorial dome, which was removed and carrying malaria. Those working and living at funding was given for construction. replaced with a larger rotunda and cupola. The Beneath us was Braddock’s Hill, where, the observatory suffered from seasonal fevers next major change to the site was caused by a generations gone, the young surveyor from May through October of each year because The Observatory appeared quite prominently in hurricane in 1896, which uprooted many trees. dreamed; and stretching far on to its of “miasma” from the Potomac flats. a ca. 1885 view from the Washington Monument Many of the trees shown in the 1873 site plan guardian Capitol, the city which he foresaw— (Image 3.7). At that time the site had an a verity now—its myriad lights twinkling Additionally, the late night and early morning (see Image 3.2) never recovered (SHCA undeveloped character with an abundance of through the misty distance. To our right was fog that gave Foggy Bottom its name 2000:83). Following the hurricane, downed trees trees around the few structures. The brick wall Georgetown; beyond Arlington Heights, and increasingly hindered work. By 1877 there were were removed, remaining trees were trimmed House; before us the Potomac, winding on to more bad nights than good; 10 years later, 168 enclosing the entire reservation (as far south as back, and the grounds were plowed, graded, Alexandria; above us the fathomless nights were too cloudy for observation, 133 were present-day Constitution Avenue) is visible in and planted with grass (Herman 1996:63). In 1901 heavens, the waxing moon and silent stars poor, 63 were fair, 19 good, and only two the photograph. However, conditions at the the site was reduced from the original 17 acres [Ames 1874:511-512]. classified as very good (Herman 1996:52). Observatory continued to deteriorate through when 5 acres of land on the west side was the 1880s; the buildings and grounds were run This romantic description glossed over the Though conditions were poor, important transferred to the Hygienic Laboratory (see scientific discoveries continued, and in 1877 down, with little funding to make repairs. By Section 3.2.1). The museum was disestablished state of the Observatory by the 1870s. The 1886, 250 feet of the perimeter wall had fallen Superintendent’s 1875 report described the astronomer Asaph Hall discovered the two in 1905, and its collections were most likely moons of Mars, gaining worldwide recognition down, but there was only enough funding to buy transferred to the Smithsonian Institution temporary fencing to close the gaps (Herman (SHCA 2000:26). 1996:58-59). That same year, Richard M. Hunt began preparing plans for the new observatory, The establishment of the Naval Hospital (1903) though delays postponed removal to the new and Medical School (1902) at 23rd and E streets site. Finally, in 1893 the Observatory was significantly changed the landscape. In 1902 the vacated. It sat empty for 13 months before a new facility was renamed the United States Naval occupant was moved into the site. Museum of Hygiene and Medical School, part of a wide reform of naval medical services by the 3.1.3 The Naval Museum of Hygiene, Navy Surgeon General. The most visible Naval Hospital, and Medical changes resulted from the remodeling of the School (1894-1942) Old Naval Observatory building for the Medical School and the construction of the Naval Potomac Hill’s new tenant, the Naval Museum of hospital complex with pavilion-style wards, Hygiene, moved from its location at 1707 New sited behind (i.e., south of) the Old Naval York Avenue, NW after the property was Observatory. transferred to the Bureau of Medicine (BUMED). In addition to housing exhibits and artifacts, the Just before the new buildings were constructed, Museum of Hygiene was a working institution the Senate Committee on the District of that pioneered environmental and occupational Columbia, more commonly known as the Image 3.7: View of the Naval Observatory from the Washington Monument, 1885 (Bureau of Medicine medicine. To convert the Observatory to these McMillan Commission, published its report on and Surgery, Naval Medical Department n.d.)

U.S. General Services Administration 10 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 the Improvement of the Park System of the the parkway raised to a higher level to allow the Washington Naval Hospital and to provide preceding hospitals, these hospitals all shared District of Columbia. In the report Potomac Hill passage of goods from the quay to industrial clinical facilities for medical officers in training plans that emphasized isolation, ventilation, and was described as having “an exceptionally areas east of the parkway (Moore 1902:82-83). at the Naval Medical School. The new hospital light. All hospitals had what Flagg termed beautiful view” (Moore 1902:165). There was no Taken land west of the Old Observatory was to was designed by architect Ernest Flagg, who “fresh-air cut-offs,” passages between the main other specific mention of the grounds in the be converted to the park-like setting of the was also the architect of the Naval Hospital at block and wings that were cross-ventilated and report, but land west of the grounds to the grounds. Annapolis, Maryland. Flagg’s design for the prohibited air circulation from one pavilion to Potomac River, occupied by the massive hospital generally followed the concept of the the next. The smaller-scale hospital at Heurich Brewing Company and other industrial The grounds soon changed, though not in the pavilion plan used for his other hospital Washington (and its counterpart in Annapolis) activities, was recommended to be taken for the way envisioned by the McMillan Commission. designs, such as St. Luke’s in New York City exhibits Flagg’s interpretation of colonial construction of a parkway along the Potomac The new Naval Medical Hospital (Buildings 3 and St. Margaret’s in Pittsburgh. Stylistically Tidewater architecture (Bacon 1986:89-102). with a broad, paved quay along the water and and 4) was built to replace the outdated distinct from the French classicism of the two

Image 3.8: View from the Washington Monument, 1900 (Columbia Historical Society 1900) Image 3.9: Plan of the Naval Hospital, 1912 (Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Library 1912)

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Congress appropriated $125,000 for the monument as a gift to the American people construction of the hospital, power plant, and from the medical profession. Albert L. Gihon, laundry in 1903. Work began in 1904, but an Medical Director of the United States Navy at additional $20,000 was appropriated to build the that time, initiated the campaign to build the southeast and southwest wards. The hospital memorial to Benjamin Rush with funds donated was put in service on October 6, 1906, before from the American Medical Association construction had been completed (Dunbar membership. Roland Hinton Perry from New 1912:486). York was the statue’s sculptor, and Louis R. Metcalf, a New York architect, designed the Construction of all the Naval Hospital and limestone pedestal (SHCA 2000:84). Medical School buildings was completed by 1911 (SHCA 2000:26). Construction of the Sick New construction included a new circulation Image 3.11: Naval Hospital and Adjacent Officers’ Quarters (Building 5), the contagious system that would incorporate the new Grounds, 1932 (Caemmerer 1932:416) disease hospital (Contagious Ward, Building 6), buildings into the hospital complex, creating a of these Yoshino Cherries were planted at the Nurses Quarters (Building 1), Hospital Corps campus-like atmosphere with the arrangement Naval Medical School. Quarters (Building 7), and housing for medical of the new hospital buildings (SHCA 2000:83). A officers (Quarters AA, BB, and CC) was new driveway along the west side of Building 2 The Navy built four new temporary hospital completed using plans prepared by or under the led to a small circular drive at the main entrance wards along the south edge of the site (now the Bureau of Yards and Docks. These buildings of the Naval Hospital (Building 3) by 1909 (Baist site of the U.S. Institute of Peace building) to replaced many formal gardens and grassy lawn 1909). Roads built during this period were care for the influx of servicemen during World areas that had previously characterized the site. constructed with yellow brick gutters, which War I and the subsequent influenza pandemic Work during this period included grading and first appear on a 1912 site map (JCA and (JCA and Robinson 2001:4/14); these buildings construction of roads, conduits, and walks. The Robinson 2001:5-14). By 1913 another driveway remained in use until ca. 1951. Improvements to total cost of construction for these buildings had been constructed from the main entrance to the campus continued throughout and after the and exterior work was $333,388 (Dunbar the south along 23rd Street, providing access to war. In 1917 roads were paved with macadam, a 1912:486) (Image 3.9). the new Hospital Corps Quarters and new aggregate concrete retaining wall capped Contagious Ward (Baist 1913). All roads during by a wood fence was built along E Street, and a One of the first improvements to the grounds this period were paved in granite rock (JCA and Image 3.10: Plan of the Naval Hospital, 1920 new substantial entrance gate was constructed was the addition of a statue of Benjamin Rush Robinson 2001:125). In addition to roads, several (Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Library 1920) with cast concrete gateposts capped by acorn- (1745-1813) placed in front of the Old Naval paths were designed to connect the entrance at shaped finials. A map of the site from 1920 Observatory Building. Rush was a physician and rd 23 Street with residences and offices adjacent shows retaining walls on the north and east Surgeon General of the Middle Department of to Building 2. sides of the site (Image 3.10). The Surgeon the Continental Army, humanitarian (he General’s Report for that same year reports advocated for the humane treatment of the In 1912 the mayor of Tokyo donated over 3,000 improvements to the landscape, including mentally ill), founder of Dickinson College in flowering cherry trees to the city of Washington, construction of a “terrace along the concrete Carlisle, Pennsylvania, co-founder of the first D.C., to be planted around the Tidal Basin near wall, main entrance, south to Hospital Corps American antislavery society, and signer of the the National Mall. Eighteen hundred of these Quarters on Twenty-third Street” (JCA and Declaration of Independence. The statue was trees were Yoshino Cherries (Prunus x Robinson 2001:4/14). unveiled on June 11, 1904, in the presence of yedoensis) (National Park Service 2004). Several President Theodore Roosevelt, who accepted

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By 1920 the campus had taken on an entirely new (1923, in temporary building near 23rd and B organization responsible for Navy medicine appearance. The care put into landscaping and streets), a consultation service, and a variety of (SHCA 2000). maintaining the grounds was thought to be as related activities that had been added over the important as the design of the buildings. The preceding 30 years. A new bill was proposed in The overall complex changed very little over the Annual Report of the Surgeon General of 1920 1937 for the re-location of the Naval Medical next 20 years. Small-scale features such as (cited in Herman 1996) recorded that the Medical Center to a larger, more adequate site in picket fences were installed around the School grounds were well taken care of and that Bethesda, Maryland. The Naval Hospital and quarters, and wood fences topped the concrete 3,000 plants were propagated and grown for Medical School were in operation at Potomac walls on the east and north perimeters of the planting on the site. A photograph from 1932 Hill until they were replaced by the Bethesda site. By the late 1950s the entrance at the rd shows the system of sidewalks, roads, and facility, which was dedicated by President intersection of E and 23 streets had been landscaping, including a low hedge along the Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1942. enlarged to two lanes forming a V at the south side of the hospital (Building 4) and entrance. The early twentieth-century concrete In 1937 the Potomac Hill campus was described posts that flanked the old entrance were Image 3.12: Grand Staircase from E Street another dividing the Hospital and Medical (Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Library n.d.) School from the Hygienic Laboratory to the west as “high, wooded grounds… situated [to] afford removed, though the acorn finials were retained (Image 3.11). Small trees and shrubs a magnificent glimpse of the Potomac in its and flanked the new entrance (Bureau of (Image 3.12) and replacing it with large retaining characterized the southern portion of the course pass Washington, with the Lincoln Medicine var.). walls (Image 3.13). The expressway truncated Memorial in the foreground and Arlington and Maury Circle and rerouted the E Street entrance. grounds; to the north the largest trees grew The increased use of automobiles altered the Alexandria in the distance…. Narrow roads and A new road north of Buildings 6 and 7 was north of Building 1 and west of Building 2, landscape of Potomac Annex during this paths wind through the reservation and visitors constructed to provide additional access to effectively screening the two large Hygienic period. Between 1949 and 1950 several of the Laboratory buildings from the upper campus. may wander afoot through the beautifully parked Potomac Annex and Navy Hill. and landscaped grounds” (Pappas 1937:899). temporary wards at the south end of the site Congress authorized $3.2 million for a new 500- were removed and replaced with a large parking The open areas left by the demolition of bed state-of-the-art hospital building in 1931. If 3.1.4 Navy Bureau of Medicine and area (USGS 1950). Additional parking was buildings and construction of the interstate completed, the project would have razed the old Surgery (1942-Present) added by removing trees and green space ramp were paved for parking by the 1980s. Many observatory, hospital, and medical school between Buildings 2 and 3, south of Building 5, areas adjacent to the buildings on the remaining In 1942 the Old Naval Observatory was selected buildings, deemed obsolete and inadequate and south of Building 1 by 1963 (USGS 1963). site were also paved for parking. Very little to be the administrative offices for the Bureau of because more than half the patients at the Plans to build a complete freeway system in the Naval Medicine and Surgery following a six- hospital were housed in the temporary World District of Columbia had a tremendous impact month occupancy by the Public Health Service War I buildings. The Navy did not immediately on the site and its surroundings during the early that same year. It also became the headquarters request an appropriation because a new 1960s. As part of this plan, in the early 1960s the for the Surgeon General of the Navy. The hospital in Philadelphia was more urgently E Street Expressway, planned to be the west leg Bureau of Medicine was established in 1842 as needed; the objections of the Commission of of the Inner Loop Freeway, was constructed part of a major reorganization of the Navy. The Fine Arts (CFA) and National Capital Park and along with a new bridge across the Potomac, bureau was responsible for naval hospitals, Planning Commission and budgetary the Roosevelt Bridge. The new interstate and medical and dental clinics, preventive medicine restrictions further stalled the project. ramps along the river necessitated demolition of units, disease vector environments and control the remaining temporary buildings along the In the 1930s the various organizations at units, medical units as non-naval activities, and south edge of the site and the power plant. The Potomac Hill were centrally organized as the technical schools serving Medical Department new E Street ramp curved around the northwest Naval Medical Center, including the Medical personnel. It continues as the administrative corner of the site, cutting off the north entrance Image 3.13: North View of Potomac Annex from School, Hospital, U.S. Naval Dental School into the site by removing the grand staircase the E Street Expressway, 1960s (Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Library n.d.)

U.S. General Services Administration 13 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 change has occurred to the landscape since for the next decade until Congress appropriated The grounds about the laboratory are in a upon the summit of one of the most then. Today more than half of the site is covered funds for a purpose-built laboratory building on very untidy condition, need grading and commanding hills in the District and in a with asphalt, most of which is used for parking the 5 acres of the Old Naval Observatory terracing, and should be arranged by a section of the city which is rapidly spaces. The site’s remaining grassy areas are reservation (Young 2010:8-2). landscape gardener, so that the plantings of developing. It would, therefore, seem to be a trees and shrubbery may be done to attain an public duty to place our grounds in a sightly found in the center of the oval drive, around the artistic end result. There is at present no condition, corresponding to those of the Observatory Building, around the three existing The new laboratory, constructed under the separate entrance to our reservation, and the naval reservation and in keeping with its quarters, west and east of the Observatory, direction of the Supervising Architect of the Treasury, cost $35,000 to build and was necessity for one need not be emphasized. position and dignity. During the past year a around the perimeter of the site, and in small The cost of these improvements is estimated handsome statue of Benjamin Rush, one of equipped and furnished at a cost of $13,000. The areas along the sides of some buildings. at $10,000 [U.S. PH&MHS 1905:373]. the pioneer American physicians and a building was completed in early July 1903 signer of the Declaration of Independence, in In 2012 the property was transferred from the (PH&MHS 1905:373). The early building was a In addition to the Hygienic Laboratory Building, bronze and granite, was presented by the Navy to GSA for DOS use as office space. nine-bay brick building with a center in 1903 the area included two additional wood- American Medical Association to the frame buildings: the magnetic observatory District of Columbia, and placed upon the 3.2 Navy Hill located directly south of the laboratory building grounds of the Naval Museum of Hygiene that was historically associated with the Old within a few hundred feet of our line. 3.2.1 Hygienic Laboratory/National Naval Observatory, and another building of Magnificent terraced granite steps and approaches are now being built by the Navy Institutes of Health (1901-1940) unknown use to its east (Baist 1903). 5 Department as an entrance to their part of In 1901 Congress appropriated $35,000 for the The new laboratory was constructed to the reservation. These facts are given as a contrast to the rough appearance of our part construction of a new Hygienic Laboratory on 5 accommodate the pathology and bacteriology of the reservation, which has not yet been acres that were previously part of the Naval departments, and shortly after its construction, Hygiene Museum to the east, transferred to the cleared of weeds. The grounds should be three other divisions were added: zoology, terraced and artistically planted [PH&MHS Treasury Department by act of Congress on pharmacology, and chemistry. Thus, the 1906:218]. March 3, 1901. The laboratory was to be used to building was already considered “cramped and investigate “infectious and contagious diseases Image 3.14: Hygienic Laboratory, 1904 (Public insufficient,” and the director of the laboratory, Recommendations were made for and matters pertaining to the public health” Building Service 1904) M.J. Rosenau, recommended a $150,000 appropriations sufficient to erect an additional (Williams 1951:165). The Hygienic Laboratory building and improve the grounds continued, pedimented pavilion, located on the west side of appropriation to construct additional laboratory was part of the Marine Hospital Service (MHS), citing unsightly conditions of the grounds, the existing curvilinear road running from Maury facilities, including a disinfecting shed, animal which in the 1880s been mandated by Congress cramped conditions in the building, and poor Circle to the south end of the property (Image house, and power plant (PH&MHS 1905:373-374). to examine ships arriving in the United States access roads from the east grounds. Funding 3.14). for passengers with infectious diseases to The grounds present a sorry contrast to for a large addition to the North Building was those of our neighbors, the Naval Museum of prevent epidemics (In1902 MHS was renamed It appears that Congress’s appropriation did not eventually appropriated; by 1909 the new Hygiene and Naval Medical School. The two the Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service addition was finished. The newly expanded include money for the beautification of the reservations combined constitute a public [PH&MHS] and changed again in 1912 to the building was 230 feet long, containing 41 rooms. grounds surrounding the laboratory. The reservation of considerable extent and Public Health Service [PHS]). In 1887 a Surgeon General’s annual report for fiscal year unusual prominence, situated as they are Even so, overcrowding was reported the same laboratory of hygiene was opened in the Marine year that the addition was completed. 1904, not long after the completion of the Hospital at Stapleton, New York; in 1891 the building, described the conditions of the 5 The magnetic observatory appears on the 1874 Bauman At the same time the addition was completed, a laboratory moved to Washington, D.C., grounds surrounding the new laboratory: map of the Observatory. The exact use of the building is occupying the top floor of the Butler Building on unknown, but it should not be confused with the 1844 brick animal house was constructed “at one Capitol Hill. The laboratory remained at that site underground magnetic observatory southwest of the corner of the reservation” (PH&MHS 1910:78). Observatory.

U.S. General Services Administration 14 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015

The building was used to investigate special shed with a room used to conduct disinfecting By 1909 an embankment had been created problems in contagious and infectious diseases experiments. The dilapidated buildings were not between the grounds of the Hygienic Laboratory and so specifically designed to prevent the protected from heat and cold, which meant that and the Medical School to the east. No retaining spread of infection. The 52x25-foot building was animals housed there would not breed rapidly. wall had been built, however, creating the surrounded by a brick and cement wall Furthermore, the buildings were not rat-proof, possibility of cave-in damage to the laboratory containing a crematory for burning refuse. allowing the spread of disease that had killed building. The steep slope of the west and south Between 1903 and 1909, three wood-frame almost half the laboratory’s stock the previous boundaries of the reservation required retaining buildings were constructed, though by 1909 they year. Three additional buildings (a laundry, walls or terracing to prevent erosion (PH&MHS were reported to be in poor condition. One stable, and greenhouse) were on the south end 1910:78-79). An appropriation for funding was building was used to raise guinea pigs; another of property by 1909, but these were associated provided in 1910, but the $15,000 was not used was a stable that housed horses, goats, rabbits, with the Medical School (Image 3.15). when it was decided that grading should not and other animals; and the third was a storage occur until the frame buildings were removed and replaced. Also in 1911, a 60-foot flagpole was erected on the north side of the laboratory building (PH&MHS 1912:77-78). Image 3.16: Detail of 1916 Birds Eye View of In 1913 funds were appropriated for the new Washington, D.C. (Green 1916) animal house and disinfecting rooms, which were completed in 1915. The three-story brick building housed a variety of functions, such as blacksmith and carpenter shops, isolation rooms for animals, rooms for testing disinfectants, laboratories, and storage. That same year, the Supervising Architect’s Office contracted for grading the grounds and resurfacing the entrance to the laboratory grounds. A new roadway was constructed to the animal house, which continued to the south end of the reservation (PHS 1916:82-83). A 1916 bird’s eye view of Washington shows the new drive. Though an idealized view of the city in general, the map provides a sense of the property at the time. It appears that the laboratory grounds were less heavily planted Image 3.17: Aerial View of the Hygienic with trees, the majority of which were located Laboratory ca. 1919 (NIH ca. 1919) along the north end of the property (Image 3.16). and the three wood-frame structures that were By 1917 buildings at Navy Hill consisted of the pronounced to be dilapidated in 1909 (Public main Hygienic Laboratory building, the two Buildings Commission 1917). By 1919 the frame Image 3.15: 1909 Baist Map (Baist 1909) brick buildings at the south end of the grounds, buildings had been removed. Construction of

U.S. General Services Administration 15 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 the South Building (now known as the Central Naval Hospital in one of the quietest and appropriations for the expansion of the NIH. Hospital to the NIH campus was removed and a Building) began in 1919 and was completed in least traveled sections of Washington. Its old The cornerstone of the East Building, which separate entrance from E Street NW was 1920-1921 (PHS 1921:82) to facilitate “the name was as unexciting as its location is was to serve as an administrative office, library, constructed. Land south of the Central Building examination of viruses, serums, toxins, etc…, hidden from beaten trails—as its work has and reading room, was laid on March 2, 1933. was regraded approximately 10 to 15 feet lower been insulated from popular acclaim [Ulm research work in diseases of man, and the The final building on the NIH campus, what has than its previous level, and a retaining wall 1930]. examination of pathological and other become known as the South Building, was running north-south was constructed along the specimens” (as quoted in Young 2010). The landscape of the campus was little altered constructed the same years as the East Building border between the NIH and the Naval Hospital during the 1920s, though the need for additional to house additional laboratory and office space. grounds. The placement of the Central and The landscape of the Hygienic Laboratory space had increased (see Image 3.11). The South buildings created the central quadrangle. remained largely unchanged throughout the The new construction produced a material Ransdell Act, in tandem with the Public A new road encircling the quadrangle ran along 1920s. An undated aerial photograph taken ca. change to the NIH campus (Image 3.18). At the Buildings Act of 1926, provided $750,000 in the north and east sides of the Central Building, 1920 (Image 3.17) shows the North and Central north end, the drive connecting the Naval continuing parallel with the retaining wall, and buildings, the three-story animal house to the continuing south of the South Building where it south (before the 1920 addition was connected with the old outlet on the 25th Street constructed), and another unidentified masonry NW alignment. A terrace was built on the south building to its west. The open space between side of the South Building. the Central Building and the animal house had been graded and left open. The west edge of the In 1935, 45 acres of land in Bethesda, Maryland, property had retained its steeply sloping was gifted to the federal government “to be topography, though the south end had been used as the site of some institution for the graded. A few trees were located at the north general good of the people of the country” end of the property, along its west border, and (Furman 1973:409). The PHS accepted the land, northeast of the animal house. and construction began in 1938. A large laboratory was approved by Congress for use The Hygienic Laboratory became the NIH on by NIH, and after its completion, all of NIH was May 26, 1930, when President Herbert Hoover transferred to the new facilities. By January signed the Ransdell Act. The act signaled an 1941 NIH had mostly vacated the campus in increased government role in providing services Washington (Young 2010:8-8). to merchant seamen and preventing epidemics. It established a presence in general health 3.2.2 Coordinator of activities, provided personnel training, and Information/Office of Strategic created a system of fellowships and private endowment programs for medical and Services (1941-1945) biological research (Young 2010:8-6). That same The E Street complex remained partially vacant year, an article in the Washington Post described during 1941, used by the Army and the Office of the campus: Emergency Management (Sefton et al. 2013:8- 18). The exigencies of World War II quickly The headquarters of the institute are in a group of odorous buildings on a bluff required a new use of the buildings. In December 1941 the government began overlooking the Potomac, beside the western Image 3.18: 1939 Baist Map (Baist 1939) extremity of E street and just beyond the renovating the four buildings for use as a war

U.S. General Services Administration 16 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 dispensary and intelligence operations facility. organize guerilla warfare and gather 3.2.3 Central Intelligence Agency 32),and staff was continually being redistributed information. (1946-1961) to various locations throughout the city. The new intelligence agency that moved into the Headquarters, including the director’s office, E Street Complex was headed by the The E Street Complex served as the In the wake of the end of World War II and with were located in the East Building. The Central Coordinator of Information (COI), Col. William headquarters and administrative offices of the tensions between the United States and Soviet Building contained the headquarters of the “Wild Bill” Donovan. Prior to the creation of the OSS. The East Building was reportedly called Union rising, on January 22, 1946, President Office of Medical Services from 1947 to 1961. appointment of Donovan, there was no “The Kremlin” because it housed administrative Truman established the Central Intelligence The South Building held a variety of operations, centralized intelligence coordination; offices. Donovan’s office was at the southeast Group (CIG) headed by a Director of Central such as the Communications Division and the intelligence activities were carried out by offices corner of the first floor (Sefton et al. 2013:8-25). Intelligence (DCI). The new organization Secret Writing activities (Sefton et al. 2013:8-33). within the State Department, the Navy’s Office The Central Building had laboratories and operated under the direction of the DCI, a To the southwest of the campus, the CIA also of Intelligence Division, the Army Military examination rooms for medical, dental, and eye presidential representative, and the Secretaries occupied Temporary Buildings M and Q. Intelligence Division (G-2), and the Federal exams of potential operatives. The South of State, War, and the Navy as a way to mitigate Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Roosevelt building housed a cafeteria, ancillary offices, rivalry between military and civilian Requests for a new, consolidated CIA authorized the COI: and storage space (Young 2010:8-9, 8-10). OSS organizations. When Congress passed the headquarters began almost immediately after its employees noted that the complex seemed formation but were stalled by lack of funding. In to collect and analyze all information and National Security Act in July 1947, the CIG secluded from the rest of Washington, the 1955 Congress authorized $51.5 million for the data, which may bear upon national security; became the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), shrubbery of the central quadrangle adding to purchase of land in Langley, Virginia. to correlate such information and data, and now an independent agency with its own to make such information and data available area’s park-like atmosphere (Sefton et al. 2013:8- budget. The new agency began operations on Construction activities began in October 1957 to the President and to such departments 19). September 18, 1947 (Warner 2012:7-8). and the building’s cornerstone was laid in and officials of the Government as the November 1959 by President Eisenhower. A Although areas immediately surrounding the President may determine; and to carry out, During its short existence the CIG sufficient portion of the new Headquarters when requested by the President, such OSS headquarters changed as a result of World Headquarters were located in the State building was completed by September 1962 to supplementary activities as may facilitate the War II construction, especially temporary Department Building and the New War allow the staff of the E Street Complex to move securing of information important for buildings south and southwest of the campus, Department Building at 21st Street and Virginia to the new building (Center for the Study of national security not now available to the no significant changes were made to the Avenue NW, and the North Department of Intelligence 2012:10-15). Government [as quoted in Young 2010:8-9]. landscape during this period. Interior Building. But by the first month of its operation, at least a portion of the CIA staff and The landscape of the E Street Complex By the fall of 1941, the COI had a $10 million The OSS was disestablished in October 1945, its director, Admiral Hillenkoetter, had moved underwent no significant alterations during its budget and 600 staff members. At the end of just two months after the Japanese into the East Building. The headquarters of the tenure as the CIA headquarters. An aerial that year, Donovan proposed that the COI be surrendered, possibly as a result of ongoing CIA remained at E Street until the Langley, photograph from 1951 (Image 3.19) shows the brought under the direction of the new Joint rivalries with other government intelligence Virginia, campus opened in 1961. Even so, CIA campus much the same it was during World Chiefs of Staff, except for the radio organizations, because of personality conflicts staff did not fully relocate until the E Street War II. Between 1957 and 1963, a road running broadcasting Foreign Information Service, between Donovan and President Harry Truman, Complex passed to the DOS in 1987 (Sefton et between the East and South buildings was which went to the Office of War Information. or from a shift toward cryptanalysis and al. 2013:8-30). Personnel at headquarters constructed. The remainder of the organization became the electronic eavesdropping. During the early managed operations, gave technical support, Office of Strategic Services (OSS) on June 13, months of 1946, the OSS headquarters were performed research in new technologies, and 1942. Its mandate under Roosevelt was to collect shut down (Sefton et al. 2013:8-27, 8-28). and analyze strategic information required by collected and analyzed information. The the Joint Chiefs and to conduct special expansion of the CIA was rapid’; by 1950 the operations. These special operations included South Building was described as “bursting at sending operatives into enemy territory to the seams” (as quoted in Sefton et al. 2013:8-

U.S. General Services Administration 17 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015

3.2.4 Central Intelligence Agency and of the south terrace (on the south side of the State Department (1962- South Building) for use as a green parking lot, have been made by GSA. The north and west present) edges of the property were planted with trees. Despite the removal of the majority of its staff to Langley, the E Street campus remained a part of the CIA through most of the 1980s. Technical service workshops and research facilities remained on site until the complex came under DOS control in 1987.

During the 1950s plans for urban renewal in Washington, D.C., included Foggy Bottom, allowing the expansion of the George Washington University campus and an “Inner Loop Freeway.” Temporary Buildings M and Q to the southwest were demolished in early 1962, followed by the North Building in 1963-1964 to make way for the E Street Freeway (Image 3.20). The size of the campus decreased, trees were removed from the north, south, and west sides of the property, and road access was altered. Image 3.20: 1964 Aerial View of Potomac Hill The E Street Freeway further isolated the Showing the E Street Expressway (USGS 1964) buildings, since access to the site was once again through the Naval Bureau of Medicine and Surgery to its east. Access on the north side of Image 3.19: 1951 Aerial View of Potomac Hill the property ran along the new north edge of the (USGS 1951) property to the parking lot that was constructed on the north side of the Central Building. The north-south road along the east end of the complex now curved to the east to provide a second outlet to 23rd Street NW. The new U.S. Route 50 westbound ramp reduced the size of the parking area south of the South Building

No major construction or renovation has occurred since 1964. Various small changes, such as terracing along the east side of the Central Building, the sidewalk along the south side of the Central Building, and the conversion

U.S. General Services Administration 18 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015

4.1 Potomac Annex had a moderate slope. Small groves of trees are The steeply sloped hill shown in Image 4.1 4.0 Landscape Features depicted on the top of the hill (Image 4.2). No appears more gradually sloped in later prints 4.1.1 Natural Systems and Features drainage systems, such as creeks or streams, and photographs of the site. Early twentieth- and Existing were originally located on the site. century construction of new hospital and Conditions 4.1.1.1 Historical and Existing Conditions medical school facilities and additional roads The natural topography of the site was along the east and south sides of the site The Observatory was sited prominently on a hill undoubtedly altered by the removal of rock for constructed in the early 1900s would have The key landscape features present at Potomac overlooking the confluence of Tiber Creek and new federal buildings at the turn of the required additional grading. The prominence of Hill are discussed below. Narrative descriptions the Potomac River, which can clearly be seen on nineteenth century and through grading during the slope has also been lessened over time by of each landscape feature include historical and L’Enfant’s 1791 map of the area (Image 4.1). A the grounds improvement efforts of the 1840s. the change in the topography of the existing conditions to fully understand the small ravine on the north side of the hill allowed evolution of each feature. Discussions of an uninterrupted view of the surrounding integrity and evaluation follow. Since Potomac landscape. An 1801 lithograph of Georgetown Annex and Navy Hill were developed separately, and the city of Washington shows the steep the description and analysis of Potomac Hill is slope of the hill along the Potomac and on the divided between the two areas. north and east sides of the hill. The west side

Image 4.2: 1801 Lithograph of Georgetown and the Washington, D.C. showing Potomac Hill in the Mid-ground. (Cartwright 1801) Image 4.1: 1791 L'Enfant Dotted Line Map showing the Original Topography of Potomac Hill (L'Enfant 1791)

U.S. General Services Administration 19 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 surrounding area, as low areas were built up for illustrates this dwelling. Hamburgh did not southeast of the Observatory that were the grounds were graded, they do not appear to construction of buildings. develop any further, and in 1844 the Old Naval maintained as open grounds and kitchen have followed Strickland’s plan for terracing on Observatory was constructed on the site. Land gardens were eliminated and occupied by new all sides. The housing envisioned by Strickland 4.1.1.2 Analysis use relating to the Naval Observatory focused buildings. Since that time the land use of the was eventually realized, though not completed The topography of Potomac Annex has been on military astronomy and navigation. site has remained relatively unchanged, moving until the twentieth century. significant to the landscape since early in its from military education and medicine to Following the departure of the Observatory in By 1873 an allée had been incorporated into the history. Jefferson and Washington both administration. 1893, the site was briefly occupied by the Naval circular drive (see Image 3.2). The buildings and identified the site as a potential location for Museum of Hygiene until it was disestablished 4.1.3 Spatial Organization formal grounds were concentrated in the federal buildings. L’Enfant’s choice of the site in 1905. The Naval Medical School and the northeast corner of the site. The Observatory for a fortification was tied directly to its Washington Naval Hospital (or Naval Medical 4.1.3.1 Historical and Existing Conditions was the central structure with wings extending topography and its prominence along the School Hospital) were established on the site in along an east-west and north-south axis. A Potomac River. Most importantly, its hilltop The location of the Naval Observatory building 1903 and 1902, respectively. With the addition of formal garden continued the east-west axis to location was ideal for location of the Naval was chosen by Lieutenant Gilliss in these institutions, land use focused on military the perimeter wall along 23rd Street. Support Observatory in the 1840s. The topography has consultation with the astronomer royal at education, medical advancements, and buildings, such as a gardener’s shed, hay barn, been altered throughout the intervening years to Greenwich. Though he originally planned to administration. and other outbuildings, were located south of adapt the site for government use, first as the place the building in an astronomically the Observatory, apparently not following any Observatory and later as the Naval Medical Since the opening of Bethesda Naval Hospital in advantageous location, he was convinced to kind of plan but built according to necessity. School and Hospital. Changes to the 1942 and the transfer of the Medical School to consider architectural effect as a means of Kitchen gardens and other open spaces, such topography have not altered its prominence on that facility, the former Observatory and drawing importance to the Observatory. as pastures, were organized in a formal the Washington, D.C., landscape and have grounds at Potomac Annex were tenanted by Consequently, it was placed at the projected th rectilinear pattern east of the outbuildings. The influenced the design of the campus. the Navy’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery until intersection of D and 24 streets. The building remainder of the site was park-like with Topography must be considered a contributing 2012. The land use changed to strictly would have been visible from points in the city, scattered groves of trees. feature in the landscape of Potomac Annex. administrative office and housing functions. on the Potomac, and across the river in Virginia, regardless of its location at the crest of the hill, U.S. Navy Quarters Buildings AA, BB, and CC The arrival of the Hospital Museum and Medical but Gilliss’s choice additionally tied the 4.1.2 Land Use are used as military housing; these buildings, School marked a change in the spatial observatory to L’Enfant’s grid plan for the city. however, are not part of this study. Buildings are organization of the site with the addition of 4.1.2.1 Historical and Existing Conditions When the American Meridian was established currently under renovation and are not numerous buildings. The Naval Hospital was in 1850, it was drawn through the center of the When the Old Naval Observatory was built on inhabited. DOS plans to use Potomac Annex constructed directly south of the Observatory Observatory building, which, in turn, was the site in 1844, the surrounding grounds were for administrative purposes. with the central pavilions in line with the north- positioned along the projected alignment of 24th largely undeveloped. The property had been set south axis of the original building; indeed, the 4.1.2.2 Analysis Street. aside in the 1791 L’Enfant plan for the city of hospital’s three wings almost mimic the plan of Washington as Reservation 4; L’Enfant viewed Land use of the site changed most significantly The original Strickland site plan (see Image 3.1) the Observatory centered around the line of the the prominent location along the Potomac as at the turn of the twentieth century with the influenced the spatial organization of the American Meridian established in 1850. The ideal for fortification. There were occasional arrival of the Naval Hospital and Medical Observatory despite its limited implementation. three officers’ quarters were constructed east military encampments at the site, but no School. The focus of work at the site shifted Strickland’s plan called for a circular drive and west of the central axis formed by the fortifications were built. The 1792 land grant from military astronomy and navigation to fronting the Observatory and flanking housing, Observatory and Hospital, similar to map depicts the area as the town of Hamburgh military education and medicine. The open encircled by two rings of terracing. The circular with one house on the west edge of the new areas necessary for astronomical investigations drive, Maury Circle, was realized soon after, as town. The 1801 lithograph of Georgetown were no longer required. The open areas were the walls enclosing the grounds. Although

U.S. General Services Administration 20 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015

Strickland’s 1844 plan for the Observatory. 6 arrangements between open space and Corps Quarters and Contagious Ward. The Buildings 1 and 5 are located south of the buildings that was prevalent by 1924; however, location of this road from the entrance to the quarters, and the Contagious Ward (Building 6) individual landscape elements, such as the southeast corner of Building 4 remains largely and Corpsmen’s Quarters (Building 7) were formal gardens that were east of the intact from its construction around 1913. Before constructed down the hill from the main Observatory and the tree-lined grassy oval 1917 the roads were paved in granite block; after complex, but the site as a whole still retained its between the Observatory and the Hospital, now 1917 with macadam with yellow brick gutters. formal spatial organization. no longer exist. Open spaces adjacent to buildings and walkways remain, though Photographs from the 1920s and 1930s show These new medical facilities were established in replaced by parking. Despite these changes, the informal pedestrian pathways from the open areas of the former Observatory and most important elements of the historic district Contagious Building and Hospital Corps changed the character of the original site; remain intact. Quarters to the Naval Hospital. Finished however, the campus-like landscape established sidewalks were also evident during this period Image 4.3: Maury Circle Drive with Parking by the Naval Hospital and Medical School was 4.1.4 Circulation Systems and between the Power Plant, Hospital, and maintained until the 1950s, when the automobile Boundary Demarcations Contagious Building. Sidewalks north of the Analysis influenced the landscape with the construction hospital were rectilinear in nature, following the The current road system fragmentarily reflects of parking lots in the open spaces around and 4.1.4.1 Circulation Systems edges of lawns or adjacent roads or following between buildings. direct routes between officers’ quarters the initial development of the Observatory in the Historical and Existing Conditions buildings on the east side of the site. mid- to late nineteenth century as well as the 4.1.3.2 Analysis development of the Naval Hospital and Medical The earliest main entrance gate to the Roads and paths have been altered by the School in the early 1900s with the hospital In its current spatial organization Potomac Observatory was located at the north side of the addition of parking spaces along roads and the complex, officers’ quarters, and contagious Annex today mostly reflects the twentieth- grounds, on E Street at its intersection with 24th construction of parking lots in and around building. century Naval Hospital and Medical School. Street. Initially, Maury Circle and the sweeping buildings (Image 4.3). Construction of the E Even so, these changes from the nineteenth- drive along the west side of the Observatory Street Expressway cut off the north edge of the The circular drive established around 1844 century plan have not completely erased all were the only roads on the site. The grounds circular drive, making it more of an oval, and retains its original location but has been organizing principles of the Naval Observatory included several walks between the Observatory pushed the location of the entrance south along reduced to an oval after losing the northern 10 era. The northern portion of the grounds retains and areas to the south and east, as well as a 23rd Street. The C Street entrance and road were feet from the construction of Interstate 66. Some the circular drive envisioned by Strickland and path that looped to the south end of the built at that time, running north of Buildings 6 roads associated with the establishment of the its relationship to Building 2 (though truncated grounds. and 7, to provide a second access point to Naval Hospital and Medical School remain, by the E Street Expressway) and also retains the Potomac Annex and Navy Hill. By the 1980s though the addition of parking spaces during axis of 24th Street and the Prime Meridian. Following the establishment of the Naval additional parking areas had been added to the the second half of the twentieth century has Hospital and Medical School, the main entrance site. Only portions of the yellow brick gutters resulted in the loss of many of the Naval The new buildings of the Naval Hospital and was moved from E Street to the intersection of remain visible in roads behind the Quarters AA Hospitals pedestrian paths and has altered the Medical School created a campus-like spatial 23rd and E streets. By 1909 a new driveway had and BB garages and along the north side of the traffic flow of the site. Though most original organization with grassy areas between been constructed along the west side of drive fronting Building 5. In general, sidewalks routes remain navigable, the infill of parking buildings dotted with trees. Today the campus- Building 2 that led to a small circular drive at the are standard concrete with expansion joints. spaces in any available open space has altered like site layout still generally respects the spatial main entrance of the new hospital (see Image Existing sidewalks around the hospital are the sense of a road system into that of a 3.9). Another driveway had been constructed by concrete with high concrete curbs on one or continuous parking lot flowing between the 6 1913 from the main entrance south along 23rd No documentation was found to determine whether the both sides. campus buildings. It has been further altered by placement of the quarters was influenced by Strickland’s Street, providing access to the new Hospital the construction of the C Street entrance, which plan.

U.S. General Services Administration 21 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 separates Buildings 5 and 6 from the remainder documented in any of the records from that as the area around the site has developed. The 4.1.5 Vegetation of the campus. time; however, a contract from 1853 to raise the northern boundary moved south in the 1960s to walls on the east, south, and west sides stated accommodate the E Street ramp of Interstate 66. 4.1.5.1 Historical and Existing Conditions Major changes in the circulation system during that brick was to be used. The main entrance to Thus, the original retaining wall along that Earliest descriptions and drawings of the Naval the second half of the twentieth century have the site, originally along the north edge of the boundary was replaced with the current modern Observatory emphasized its park-like setting, affected the character of Potomac Hill’s site, was marked with ornamental cast iron stone block wall, which does not contribute to with walks and trees planted throughout the circulation to the extent that the majority of posts the historic landscape. roads and walks do not retain sufficient integrity grounds. Maps and plans of the observatory to be contributing to the historic district. The brick perimeter wall remained on the site at The 1917 concrete wall along 23rd Street remains show the overall site landscaped with scattered Similarly, portions of sidewalks reflect the least through 1900 (see Image 3.8), eventually intact, but the chain link fence atop the concrete groves of trees and formal gardens on the east historical pedestrian circulation system; replaced in 1917 by an aggregate concrete wall is an alteration (Image 4.4). The concrete side of the property (see Image 3.2). Maury however, many sections have been replaced retaining wall constructed along E Street. By wall appears to be located in a similar location Circle featured evenly spaced trees along both with parking areas. Parking areas do not 1920 a retaining wall was also located along the as the original brick wall, but no records or sides of its drive and an allée down its center. contribute to the historic landscape as they do north boundary of the property. That same year, photographs are available to confirm this. No (see Image 3.3). The 1885 photograph of the not reflect the historical circulation system of a more substantial gate was constructed with remnants of the brick wall have been located on Observatory from the Washington Monument the Potomac Annex. Historical yellow brick concrete posts capped with acorn finials. By the site. The concrete retaining wall along 23rd (see Figure 3.7) shows matures trees gutters, still intact along the perimeter drive 1950s the gates had been removed and the Street contributes to the historic landscape of surrounding the observatory to the north, west, behind Quarters AA and BB garages and in entrance area widened. Wood slat fences were the Potomac Annex as it reflects the historical and south, with a grassy slope dotted with trees front of Building 5, are the oldest intact material added to the top of the concrete perimeter walls, boundary of the site. The remaining boundary leading south to the Potomac River. from the historic circulation system, but they are demarcations fall outside the period of and the yards of Quarters A, B, and C were A hurricane in 1896 damaged many trees, a large only fragments of the original gutter system. significance and are not contributing to the demarcated by wood picket fences. number of which never recovered. As the historic district. campus of the Naval Medical School increased The only circulation feature contributing to the Construction of Interstate 66 in the 1960s shifted in size, the Navy removed the formal gardens Historic District is Maury Circle. The circle the entrance to the south along 23rd Street. The and large swaths of grassy lawn to make way for dates to the earliest period of the Observatory’s existing retaining wall along E Street was also new buildings. New trees were planted history and was part of Strickland’s design for installed in the 1960s as part of the construction throughout the early decades of the twentieth the grounds. The E Street Expressway altered of the E Street ramp (see Image 3.20). its configuration from circle to oval; century, and open lawn areas were retained nonetheless, its importance as one of the oldest The 1917 aggregate concrete wall remains along between buildings. In 1912 a small number of the landscape features that has remained 23rd Street but is topped by a modern chain link over 3,000 Yoshino Cherries donated to the city throughout the history of the site is sufficient fence. The boundary fence along the south of Washington, D.C., were planted. Planting of that it retains integrity to contribute to the appears to be modern construction as it is not new trees and plants continued; in 1920, 3,000 historic district. evident on historical maps or aerials of the site. plants were propagated and grown for planting A series of temporary chain link fences are at the Naval Hospital and Medical School. 4.1.4.2 Boundary Demarcations located throughout the site for construction Image 4.4: 23rd Street Concrete Wall looking Both land and trees were lost when the E Street purposes. Historical and Existing Conditions northwest Freeway was constructed in 1963 (see Image 3.2). Much of the property on the north end of The Strickland plan for the site called for a brick Analysis Potomac Hill was planted with trees along E perimeter wall enclosing the site, completed by Boundary demarcations within the Potomac Street, the entrance drive, and within Maury 1845. The material of the wall was not Annex have been altered throughout the years Circle. To the south, construction of the south

U.S. General Services Administration 22 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 perimeter road connecting to Navy Hill also north of Building 2 is dominated by a group of of the lawn areas other than Maury Circle have in front of Building 2. The grounds were resulted in the loss of trees along the road eight Burr Oaks (Quercus macrocarpa) clustered been removed through construction of depicted as a park-like area for strolling, playing, alignment. Additional trees were removed around Maury Circle (Trees 1-8) (Image 4.5). buildings or more recently with the construction and picnicking in a number of nineteenth- throughout the latter half of the twentieth These oaks were planted in the 1890s and have of parking areas. century renderings of the Observatory (Image century for the construction of additional several progeny on the site. A White Oak 4.7). These photographs and prints show the parking areas (United States Geological Survey (Quercus alba) specimen located between Potomac Annex has one of the best and most post and rope fencing around Maury Circle [USGS] 1984). Buildings 3 and 5 (Tree 9) is possibly the oldest unusual historic tree collections in Washington similar to that specified by the 1848 plans for the tree in the District at approximately 150 years and therefore the trees contribute to the historic improvement of the grounds (also see Image Today, trees are generally scattered throughout old. The tree is planted on the edge of a small, district. Specific contributing trees are the eight 3.3). Gas lamps were introduced in the 1860s; the the site, and newly planted street trees can be unpaved slope but is otherwise surrounded by Burr Oaks around Maury Circle (Trees 1-8), the ca. 1873 plan of the observatory shows several rd found along both E Street and 23 Street. Trees pavement (Image 4.6). A Den Linden (Tilia White Oak specimen (Tree 9), the Yoshino gas lamps at the front of the building as well as associated with the late nineteenth- to mid- americana) (Tree 17) sits near the White Oak, Cherry (Tree 10), the two Gateway weeping at least two at its rear. twentieth-century landscape are present likely dating to the turn of the twentieth century. cherries (Trees 22 and 23), and the large Gingko throughout the Potomac Annex. The canopy Other trees include a collection of cherry trees (Tree 18). The statue of Benjamin Rush was unveiled in from the original gift of Tidal Basin trees from 1904 and located near the center of the circular 4.1.6 Small-Scale Features Japan in 1912, such as the two Gateway weeping driveway. The Navy also added a large flagpole to Maury Circle during the first few decades of cherries (Prunus subhirtella) (Trees 22 and 23). 4.1.6.1 Historical and Existing Conditions A Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis), known the twentieth century. Photographs available as the Charlie Brown tree (Tree 10), sits against The oldest known small-scale features at from this period do not show other small-scale the fence surrounding Building BB. A large Potomac Hill were located around Maury Circle features, if they existed. Gingko (Gingko biloba) estimated to date from the World War II period (Tree 18) is part of a cluster of trees on the summit of the hill at the south entrance (De Stephano 2004).

Several Yoshino Cherry trees located on the Image 4.5: Burr Oaks along Maury Circle north slope of the site (Trees 11-16) are the progeny of the original cherry specimen through cloning in the 1970s. Grouped with the Gingko are a Burr Oak descendant of the Maury Circle Oaks (Tree 19) and two Willow Oaks (Quercus phellos) (Trees 20 and 21).

4.1.5.2 Analysis Historically, vegetation at the Potomac Annex has been a significant part of the character of the site, in creating a park-like setting for the Naval Observatory and later the Naval Medical Image 4.6: White Oak Tree Between Buildings 3 School. None of the formal gardens from the Image 4.7: Nineteenth Century Depiction of the Naval Observatory (Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and 5 nineteenth century observatory remain, and all Naval Medical Department n.d.)

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Numerous small-scale features were introduced signposts at the northeast side of the circle. Naval Observatory period is located on a The acorn finials, though constructed within the to the landscape after World War II. Pipe railing concrete slab in front of the Building 2. period of significance, were moved several from the 1950s to the present can be found along Construction of the E Street ramp took times and no longer retain integrity in relation to sidewalks and staircases along the circular drive substantial space from the driveway and thus Though the gas lamp, Benjamin Rush statue, their original context or use within the period of and between the former Naval Hospital necessitated moving the Rush statue from its and flagpole were all moved from their original significance and therefore are not contributing (Building 4) and the Contagious Building original location to the south edge of that location, they still are contributing to the to the historic district. The wood cupola, a (Building 6). Globe lampposts are found along E driveway facing the Old Naval Observatory. At landscape of the Old Naval Observatory Historic remnant of a past building, is out of its original Street and in scattered locations throughout the that same time the flagpole that was located District because they reflect the Naval Hospital context and is not a permanent feature of the site. Examination of historical photographs south of the statue in the circular driveway was and Medical School period. The flagpole, landscape. None of the small-scale features suggests that the fixtures are not original to the moved to the former location of the statue statue, and gas lamp have settings similar to constructed after World War II are contributing Naval Hospital and Medical School. (Image 4.8). Today, the location where the their original locations. The cast iron railings because they fall outside the period of flagpole formerly stood contains a plaque that along the north façade of the Observatory significance for the district. The E Street Expressway repositioned the E explains the origins of the Prime Meridian, the building date from the period of significance but Street entrance and once again displaced the zero-degree U.S. meridian. The statue retains are considered part of building and are not acorn finials (originally set atop concrete gate its original octagonal granite base and is listed as distinct landscape features. posts in the early twentieth century). The finials surrounded by a narrow sidewalk and were removed to Maury Circle and used to flank flowerbed. The flagpole is a plain iron pole with a plain base planted with shrubs and trees and crossbars for flying flags.

Concrete bollards are present along roadways and parking areas throughout the complex. Concrete-filled steel posts are also present around air-conditioning units for various buildings. A wood picnic table and grill are located in a grassy area south of Building 5. A series of temporary chain link fences is located throughout the site because of construction.

4.1.6.2 Analysis Several small-scale features from the Old Navy Observatory period are present in the landscape. A non-operating gas lamp, introduced in the 1860s, is located at the north entrance to Building 2. The lamp is not shown in this location in the 1935 photograph of the main façade, indicating that it was subsequently moved to this location. A wood-frame cupola with louvered vents that likely dates to the Old Image 4.8: Benjamin Rush Statue and Flagpole Image 4.9: Ca. 1865 View of the Observatory from present-day Rosslyn, Virginia (Library of Congress at Maury Circle 1865)

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description of Arlington Heights whitened with tents during the Civil War. Mary Clemmer Ames’s description of views from the Observatory adds the Capitol to the list nineteenth-century views (see Section 3.1.2).

Certainly the growth of the nation’s capital throughout the course of nineteenth century and early twentieth century would have been visible from the vantage point of Potomac Hill, and throughout the years and as the city developed, views from the hilltop changed. Still, Image 4.11: View from Potomac Annex toward in 1902 the McMillan Commission characterized the Washington Monument views from the hill as exceptionally beautiful.

During the twentieth century some historical views were screened because of the construction on the north, east, and west sides of Potomac Hill. The most prominent views, such as those to the Washington Monument (Image 4.11), Georgetown, and across the Potomac River to Arlington National Cemetery (Image 4.12), remained.

With the construction of the U.S. Institute of Peace, views toward Potomac Annex have been Image 4.10: View of Georgetown from Potomac Hill (Sachse 1855) partially obstructed from points such as Image 4.12: View from Potomac Annex to Arlington National Cemetery 4.1.7 Views and Vistas vantage points throughout the city, and made it Arlington Cemetery, Memorial Bridge, and the a prime location for the local time service added Lincoln Memorial (Image 4.13). Potomac Hill is 4.1.7.1 Historical and Existing Conditions in 1845. The Observatory’s prominent location no longer visible from the Georgetown allowed it to be seen by ships on the river and waterfront as a result of modern development. Historically one of the highest points in the local citizens, who could set their clocks Washington, the site commanded natural views according to the drop (Image 4.10). 4.1.7.2 Analysis to all points in the city. Its views up and down Views and vistas to and from Potomac Annex the Potomac River gave it defensive possibilities Early descriptions of the Observatory have been an important aspect of its landscape that L’Enfant recognized when he drew plans for specifically mention views of the city, since before the construction of the Naval a fortification at the hill. To the west along the Georgetown, and Alexandria. Arlington House Observatory. Many of the nineteenth- and Potomac River, Georgetown was visible from and later Arlington Cemetery would have been twentieth-century views have been obstructed the top of the hill (Image 4.9). The Navy visible across the Potomac River to the by subsequent development. Those that remain understood that the prominence of the hill southwest along with Arlington Ridge in intact and are contributing to the historic meant that it would also be seen from many Virginia, as evidenced by Simon Newcomb’s Image 4.13: View toward Potomac Hill from Arlington National Cemetery U.S. General Services Administration 25 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 district are views to the Washington Monument, buildings remain intact. The landscape is house and roadway. The ca. 1920 aerial important landscape feature because the Arlington National Cemetery, and Georgetown. characterized by its three buildings and their photograph of the grounds (see Image 3.17) topography of the hill has been important in the spatial organization around the quadrangle, indicates that the grounds along the north end design of the campus, is significant as a Views toward the Observatory were equally natural systems and topography, and several of the property were graded and landscaped. prominent high point in the Washington important, especially during the nineteenth small-scale features. The level hilltop grade on which the North and landscape, and is contributing to the landscape century when the Observatory provided the local Central buildings sat continued to the south of the historic district. As the laboratory time service. Most artists’ depictions of the site 4.2.1 Natural Systems and before a steep drop-off just north of the animal expanded, the natural topography was altered to focused on views from the river or across the Topography house. Below the drop-off the roadbed that suit the needs of its growing campus of river toward the Observatory, highlighting its wound around the animal house was likely buildings. Its steep hillside slopes were graded prominence over the Potomac River and 4.2.1.1 Historical and Existing Conditions graded to allow a more shallow descent from to allow the construction of the East and South overlooking the city. The site’s visibility the hilltop to the animal house and outlet along buildings in 1933. The construction of the E For information about the topography of the site diminished as the city grew, but the site, and Water Street to the southwest. Street Freeway in the 1960s altered the campus before 1900, see Section 4.1.1. even the dome of the Observatory, is still visible by replacing the gently sloping northern end of from the Potomac and from Arlington, despite The construction of the East and South When the Hygienic Laboratory moved to its new the complex with a sharp drop shored up by a the construction of the U.S. Institute of Peace. buildings in 1933 again altered the topography of location in 1901, few changes had been made to retaining wall and fence. The steep slope of Views from the National Mall and East and West the site. Although the area north of Central the natural topography of the site. The west side of the hill remains the one natural Potomac Parks, Memorial Bridge, and from Building remained unchanged, south of the prominence of the property was acknowledged topographic feature, though even it was reduced Arlington National Cemetery contribute to the Central Building 10 to 15 feet of earth was by Hygienic Laboratory officials, who by the 1960s road construction. historic district. removed, creating a gentle slope to the south. considered it “one of the most commanding 4.2.2 Land Use 4.2 Navy Hill hills in the District” (PHS 1906:218). The last major alteration to the site took place Nonetheless, it was also a cause for complaint, after the period of significance, beginning in 4.2.2.1 Historical and Existing Conditions The landscape of Navy Hill, or the E Street as the steep west and south slopes of the 1963 with the construction of the E Street Complex, represents a variety of uses over the prominent hillside had a rough appearance and Freeway. A large part of the north end of Prior to the transfer of the west portion of the course of the twentieth century. Rather than the were at risk of eroding. Requests for funds to campus was removed, including most of the reservation to the Hygienic Laboratory, this result of a unified design plan, the site evolved complete grading and terracing of the property land on which the North Building had been portion of the reservation was less developed over the course of the twentieth century. Within began almost immediately after the new located, and a new retaining wall was than portions to the east. The only observatory- its period of significance, the complex best laboratory building was completed and constructed along the north boundary of the related use of this section was the Magnetic represents the period from 1933 to 1961. The continued through the remainder of the decade. site. Additional land on the south and west side Observatory, which appears on maps of the construction of the East and South buildings One of the first noted man-made changes to the of the campus was lost during the construction, Observatory in the 1870s (see Image 3.2). significantly altered the configuration and topography during its tenancy by the Hygienic but the remainder of the campus was unaltered. Following the establishment of the Hygienic orientation of the landscape; the North Building Laboratory had occurred by 1909, an Since that time the only alteration has been Laboratory on the west side of the reservation, (now demolished) was the public face of the embankment that was created between the terracing added along the stairs east of the its land use shifted from military and scientific complex along E Street, and the center of the Hygienic Laboratory and Medical School to the Central Building. to medical research. Its transition to this new Complex became the quadrangle and East east, creating an earthen boundary between the use coincided with the relocation of the Naval Building, which served as the administrative two pieces of land (PHS 1910:78-79). 4.2.1.2 Analysis Hospital and Medical School to the Old Naval headquarters for the NIH, OSS, and CIA. Observatory and, as a result, the entire In 1915 the Office of the Supervising Architect The topography of the E Street Complex has Though the E Street Freeway resulted in the reservation developed into a medical campus. contracted for the grading of the laboratory been altered since the turn of the twentieth demolition of the North Building and loss of From 1901 through 1941, the Hygienic grounds. The new grading occurred in tandem century when the Hygienic Laboratory first land historically associated with the landscape, Laboratory, and later NIH, used the property for with the construction of the new brick animal occupied the area. Nonetheless, it remains an

U.S. General Services Administration 26 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 conducting research into infectious diseases, along similar lines. Even its medical use north. The Central Building would have been entrances on 23rd Street. The demolition of the and so housed medical laboratories. Buildings continued; from 1947 to 1961 the Central building placed out of necessity near the North Building North Building removed the north public façade on the site were purpose-built as laboratories, housed the headquarters of the Office of to allow easy access between the buildings, and of the complex, as well as the courtyard between with the exception of the East Building, which Medical Services. After CIA Headquarters was the new three-story brick animal house built in the North and Central Buildings. The spatial was built for administrative purposes for NIH moved to Langley in 1962, the campus remained 1915 was placed at the back of the lot. A major organization of Navy Hill has not been altered staff. part of the CIA until 1987. Personnel at Navy Hill shift in the spatial organization of the E Street since that time. managed operations, gave technical support, Complex took place when the East and South Just as both portions of Potomac Hill developed performed research in new technologies, and buildings were constructed in 1933. Not only 4.2.3.2 Analysis for medical use during the first years of the collected and analyzed information. was the spatial organization changed through Spatial organization from the period of twentieth century, during World War II their the regrading of the land, the new buildings significance remains intact despite the loss of uses shifted away from it. Whereas Potomac Since 1987 the DOS has used the campus as an created a new center of the campus. The North the North Building. The construction of the E Annex changed from the Naval Medical School annex site to its neighboring main building. Building remained the public face of the Street Freeway necessitated the removal of the to the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the property along E Street, but the East Building — North Building, but even so, the orientation of former NIH campus became the headquarters of 4.2.2.2 Analysis the administrative building — became the the two areas has not changed. Gates at the the OSS. No longer entirely devoted to medical Navy Hill has remained in government use physical center and focus of the campus. The entrances to Navy Hill further distinguish the use, the Central Building retained some medical throughout its history, though its uses by two new buildings were constructed so that the division between Navy Hill and Potomac Annex. association since medical, dental, and eye federal agencies have been varied. The common Central, East, and South buildings faced a A new road encircling the quadrangle runs examinations of OSS operatives and recruits use throughout was as office space, whether for center quadrangle around which a drive was along the north and east sides of the Central were performed there. Additionally, laboratories a medical research facility, intelligence agency, located. Building, continuing parallel with the retaining were retained; while previously medical in or its current use by the DOS. Land uses from wall, and continuing south of the South nature, the new R&D laboratories developed Under the OSS and CIA, the inward-facing two significant yet distinct periods of its history Building where it connected with the old outlet custom-designed weapons and equipment used organization of the buildings became an apt are no longer present, that of a medical research on the 25th Street NW alignment. for subversive warfare, such as time delay fuses, facility and the center of two government physical expression of the secrecy under which pocket incendiary devices, limpet mines, silent intelligence agencies. these two organizations operated. OSS The three remaining buildings are arranged pistols, and edible explosives (Sefton et al. employees noted that the complex seemed around the quadrangle, a configuration that has 2013:8-25). 4.2.3 Spatial Organization secluded from the rest of Washington (Sefton remained to this day (Image 4.14). The et al. 2013:8-19). Separated from the busy traffic quadrangle is important to the spatial As the administrative headquarters of the OSS, 4.2.3.1 Historical and Existing Conditions corridor of 23rd Street NW by the Navy Bureau of the E Street Complex housed its command The spatial organization of the E Street Medicine & Surgery and screened by trees to the center. In addition to the office of William Complex developed organically over the first north and west, the complex was set apart from Donovan and his staff, the East Building housed decades of the twentieth century as additional other areas but was still close to other the Message Center. The portion of the space for laboratories and administration was government agencies, including the DOS, the Communication branch included the Code needed and funding appropriated by Congress. White House, and Capitol Hill. Room, Paraphrasing and Distribution Section, Early organization of buildings was probably Teletype Section and Typing Room, Following the construction of the E Street necessitated by their function; the main maintenance, and a Cryptographic Security Freeway in the 1960s, Navy Hill became more laboratory building was located at the north end Section (Sefton et al. 2013:8-25). connected to the Potomac Annex, since it no of the site and acted as the public façade of the longer had separate entrances at the north and Hygienic Laboratory. The first animal house was After the disestablishment of the OSS, CIA southwest ends of the site. Rather, Navy Hill occupation of the complex continued its use placed at a distance from the laboratory to the was accessed through the north and south Image 4.14: View of the Quadrangle from the Central Building

U.S. General Services Administration 27 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 organization of Navy Hill as the remaining entrance to the Hygienic Laboratory, but the demolished). The circulation system was parking area was added after the period of defining open space. This inward-facing road from Maury Circle also remained in use altered to allow access through the Potomac significance ended; the area at the south end of organization created a sense of isolation and (see Image 3.17). Pedestrian access to the site Annex on the north and south sides of the the site was extant during the period of seclusion from the rest of the city that was was provided via stairs from 23rd Street to the property. The triangular area north of the significance but was not a significant feature noted by OSS employees during World War II. flagpole fronting the North Building (Image Central Building became a parking area; the and served a secondary support function that is The relationship between the buildings and the 4.15). existing parking lot at the south end of the site not integral to circulation within the site. For central open space of the quadrangle is a remained, though its size was reduced (see similar reasons the stairway at the southwest contributing feature in the landscape of the The circulation system was almost completely Image 3.20). side of the quadrangle is not contributing. historic district. reconfigured in 1933, when the East and South buildings were constructed. The road from Navy Hill’s circulation system today is the same 4.2.4.2 Boundary Demarcations 4.2.4 Circulation Systems and Maury Circle was removed and a new entrance as that which existed post-1963. Small additions rd Historical and Existing Conditions Boundary Demarcations from 23 Street (east of the stairs) was built. include the stair running along the east side of The road fronting the North Building remained, the Central Building and the sidewalk running The earliest extant photographs and maps of 4.2.4.1 Roads, Parking Areas and Pedestrian as did the section running along the west along the west end of the Central Building’s Navy Hill provide no indication of the type of Paths elevations of the North and Central buildings. A south elevation. Parking spaces have been boundary demarcations that were used to new road encircling the quadrangle ran along added along the quadrangle and the east side of enclose the Hygienic Laboratory. The first Historical and Existing Conditions the north and east sides of the Central Building, the road that runs along the east edge of Navy known boundary distinction is the embankment continuing parallel with the retaining wall and Hill. The walk leading from the quadrangle to When the Hygienic Laboratory moved to its new created between the Hygienic Laboratory and continuing south of the South Building, where it the South Building has been removed to allow location in 1903, the curvilinear road running the Medical School. The embankment appears connected with the old outlet on the 25th Street additional parking along the quadrangle. west from Maury Circle was used to access the in later photographs (see Image 3.11), showing rd NW alignment (see Image 3.18). At the south that a hedge was planted along the ridge of the site. Records indicate that the entrance at 23 Analysis end of the complex, a parking area was and E streets continued to be used by the embankment. This same photograph indicates constructed in the triangular area formed by the Hygienic Laboratory until ca. 1915, when the new The extant circulation system at Navy Hill is only that a fence ran along the southwest corner of South Building terrace and the road. Given the road connected the North Building to the animal a portion of the historic system, following the the property by 1932. The concrete retaining wall size of the campus and the proximity of the house. The new road created a separate construction of the E Street Expressway in 1963. along the east boundary of the property was buildings, there were few pedestrian paths at The circulation system is no longer independent constructed in the area that was regraded for Navy Hill. A walkway ran south from the of Potomac Annex with separate entrances on the construction of the East and South quadrangle to the entrance of the South its north and south sides; instead, both access buildings. Building. To its west a stair from the southwest points require passing through Potomac Available photographs show that during the side of the quadrangle led down the hillside to a Annex. What remains of the historic circulation time that the CIA was headquartered at Navy level area along the west side of the South system— the road encircling the quadrangle Hill, a chain link fence was present along the Building’s north elevation, where mechanical and the north-south road along the east sides of boundaries of the property. Following the equipment was located. the East and South buildings—are fragments construction of the E Street Freeway, a stone that do not have significance in terms of design. During the ensuing years the only addition was retaining wall was built along the north and west None of the pedestrian paths is contributing to the road running between the East and South perimeters. the landscape because they were added after buildings, built between 1957 and 1963. the period of significance. Construction of the E Street Freeway eliminated Current boundary demarcations include the Image 4.15: View of the North Building, retaining walls along the E Street Freeway, the both existing entrances to Navy Hill and the None of the parking areas is contributing to the Flagpole, and Stairs from 23rd Street (NIH n.d.) concrete retaining wall capped by a chain link road fronting the North Building (also historic landscape at Navy Hill. The north

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4.2.5 Vegetation Other than the trees in the quadrangle, all trees on the property were removed during the 4.2.5.1 Historical and Existing Conditions construction of the E Street Freeway. These areas remained unplanted for a time, but The earliest descriptions of the conditions of eventually new trees were placed along the the grounds at Navy Hill following their transfer north and west perimeters. to the Hygienic Laboratory indicates that, unlike the area to the east, little had been done in Currently, the vegetation on Navy Hill is terms of planting or landscaping. In 1906 the characterized by perimeter trees, the quadrangle director of the laboratory indicated that the lawn, and ornamental plantings along the grounds had not been cleared of weeds and had façades of the Central and East buildings. The a “rough appearance” (PHS 1906:218). terraced area along the east side of the Central Nineteenth-century photographs and plans (see Image 4.17: Flowerbeds and plantings along the building is planted with shrubs and herbaceous façade of the East Building Image 3.2) show trees on the property that plants. Flowering trees are planted in the would have been there when the first Hygienic quadrangle; a hedgerow and flowerbeds now Laboratory building was constructed (see Image grow along its north, west, and east sides. A 3.14). separate flowerbed has been planted along the south side of the quadrangle. (Images 4.17 and Based on written records, no landscaping or 4.18). improvement took place until 1915, when the grounds were graded. By 1919 (see Image 3.11) Image 4.16: Eastern Retaining Wall looking 4.2.5.2 Analysis the E Street frontage had been planted with Southwest grass and trees flanked the building. Additional The only vegetation remaining from the period fence along Navy Hill’s east edge (Image 4.16), trees were located along the west-sloping of significance is the lawn area of the and chain link fences and gates enclosing the boundary of the property. The area between the quadrangle; however, the area was historically north and south entrances to Navy Hill. Central Building and animal house was a grassy shaded by trees, which have been removed, and lawn, with a single tree northeast of the animal the area has been replanted. All remaining Image 4.18: Flowerbeds and Hedgerow along the Quadrangle Analysis house. Throughout this earliest period the extant vegetation post-dates 1961 and is Hygienic Laboratory lacked any kind of therefore not considered contributing. The only boundary demarcation of significance Few available photographs date from the OSS ornamental planting. at Navy Hill is the concrete retaining wall along 4.2.6 Small-Scale Features and CIA period. One photograph shows that by the late 1950s or early 1960s, a flagpole had been the east perimeter of the campus, built in 1933. The lack of ornamental planting continued erected in front of the South Building and the The retaining wall is less significant for its following the expansion of the campus in the 4.2.6.1 Historical and Existing Conditions construction or material than it is as a division grassy area surrounding the pole was enclosed 1930s. Trees were planted along the sides of the The first known small-scale feature added to the between Navy Hill and Potomac Annex. The by a post-and-chain fence. There are no quadrangle lawn (see Image 3.19). Additional Hygienic Laboratory was a 60-foot flagpole remaining features date from after the period of photographs of additional small-scale features, trees were planted along the north, west, and erected in 1910 on the north side of the North significance and, therefore, are not contributing if they existed. south edges of the campus by the late 1940s. Building (see Image 4.15). Through 1933 there is to the historic landscape. Photographs from the CIA Headquarters period no evidence of other small-scale features at the Currently Navy Hill contains a number of small- show that shrubs were planted along the site. scale features that have not been dated but were primary building façades and along the stair not likely present during the period of leading from E Street to the North Building.

U.S. General Services Administration 29 Potomac Hill Campus Draft Final Historic Landscape Assessment– January 2015 significance. Since the construction of the 4.2.7.2 Analysis retaining wall along the E Street Freeway, metal Views and vistas are an important feature of guard rails have been added along the north and Navy Hill’s landscape. As with the Potomac west sides of the perimeter road. Metal pipe Annex, the significance of views from Navy Hill railing has been added along the north side of stems from its prominent position in the Central Building, the north side of the East Washington, D.C.’s landscape. Significant Building, and the north side of the South views today include those from the south end of Building. Other small-scale features include the property toward the Lincoln Memorial garbage cans and benches. Picnic benches and (Image 4.19). tables are located in the quadrangle.

4.2.6.2 Analysis There are no small-scale features in Navy Hill that contribute to the historic district. The terrace along the south elevation of the South Building was part of the original design of the building, as were the lampposts flanking the entrance to the South Building. These resources are part of building and are not considered distinct landscape features. The remainder post-date the period of significance and are not significant to the landscape. Image 4.19: View from the South Building 4.2.7 Views and Vistas Terrace Toward the Lincoln Memorial

4.2.7.1 Historical and Existing Conditions 4.3 Inventory of A lack of photographs or contemporary Contributing Landscape observations about views from Navy Hill makes Features it difficult to state with certainty what would have been visible from the site following its Landscape features contributing to the Old division from the remainder of the hill. The Naval Observatory and E Street Complex hilltop campus would have had views of the Historic Districts at Potomac Hill are Potomac River similar to those from the summarized in Table 4.1 and mapped on Images Potomac Annex, though somewhat obstructed 4.20-4.27. by the Heurich Brewery to the southwest. Trees growing along the west and north perimeters of Navy Hill during the first half of the twentieth century would have further screened views.

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Site Feature Period of Development Site Feature Period of Development Natural Systems and Topography Vegetation Potomac Annex Potomac Annex Natural topography Eight Burr Oaks (Maury Circle) (Trees 1-8) Old Naval Observatory Grading for construction of Hospital and Naval Museum of Hygiene, White Oak (Tree 9) Old Naval Observatory Medical School Hospital and Medical School Yoshino Cherry (Tree 10) Naval Museum of Hygiene, Navy Hill Hospital and Medical School Natural topography Gateway Weeping Cherries (Trees 22-23) Naval Museum of Hygiene, Grading for construction of East and South Hygienic Laboratory/NIH Hospital and Medical School buildings Gingko (Tree 18) Naval Museum of Hygiene, Hospital and Medical School Land Use Navy Hill Potomac Annex N/A Administrative/Office Naval Museum of Hygiene, Hospital and Medical School Small-Scale Features Navy Hill Potomac Annex Administrative/Office Hygienic Laboratory/NIH; Gas lamp Old Naval Observatory OSS; CIA Benjamin Rush statue Naval Museum of Hygiene, Hospital and Medical School Spatial Organization Flagpole Naval Museum of Hygiene, Potomac Annex Hospital and Medical School Prime Meridian Axis Old Naval Observatory Maury Circle Old Naval Observatory Navy Hill Navy Hill N/A Quadrangle Hygienic Laboratory/NIH Views and Vistas Circulation Networks/Boundary Potomac Annex Demarcations Views to and from the National Mall/East and Old Naval Observatory Potomac Annex West Potomac Parks Maury Circle Old Naval Observatory Views to and from Arlington National Old Naval Observatory 23rd Street Concrete Wall Naval Museum of Hygiene, Cemetery Hospital and Medical School View to Georgetown Old Naval Observatory Views from Memorial Bridge Naval Museum of Hygiene, Navy Hill Hospital and Medical School Retaining Wall Hygienic Laboratory/NIH Navy Hill Table 4.1: Inventory of Contributing Landscape Features View to Lincoln Memorial Hygienic Laboratory/NIH

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Image 4.20: Natural Systems and Topography Map

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Image 4.21: Land Use Map Image 4.22: Spatial Organization Map

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Image 4.23: Circulation Systems and Boundary Delineations Map Image 4.24: Vegetation Map

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Image 4.25: Small-scale Feature Map Image 4.26: Views from Potomac Hill Map

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Image 4.27: Views toward Potomac Hill Map

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landscape of Potomac Annex contains a few the development of the campus during 5.2 Navy Hill 5.0 Conclusions and features from the earliest period through the the early decades of the twentieth end of the Old Naval Observatory Historic century; Maury Circle is the only The development of Navy Hill did not follow a Recommendations District’s period of significance in 1942. GCB contributing circulation feature. The unified design plan but evolved over the course of the twentieth century as additional buildings On behalf of GSA and DOS, GCB completed a recommends that the following landscape remainder of the roads and walks were were needed for the Hygienic Laboratory and its survey and evaluation of the Potomac Hill features contribute to the Old Naval altered through the addition of parking successor, the NIH. The following landscape landscape in Washington, D.C. This study will Observatory Historic District. and the construction of new roads and features have been found to retain integrity and be used in support of GSA’s ongoing cultural are non-contributing. The site contains • The area’s topography contributes to the are recommended as contributing to the E resource management program and in the one contributing boundary demarcation, historic district. It has been altered since rd Street Complex Historic District. development of a Master Plan for Potomac Hill’s the concrete wall along 23 Street, which the 1840s but remains an important future development. It partially fulfills GSA’s was constructed for the Naval Hospital feature for its influence on the design of • Similar to Potomac Hill, Navy Hill’s responsibility under Sections 106 and 110 of the and Medical School and has not been the campus and as a prominent hill in topography has been altered but remains NHPA. The objective of this study was to re- altered since its construction. Washington’s landscape. an important influence on the design of evaluate landscape features, such as roads, • Historically, vegetation at the Potomac the complex and is a contributing paths, designated open spaces, and other • The earliest land use, focusing on Annex has been a significant part of the feature. elements previously determined as contributing military astronomy and navigation, is no character of the site, in creating a park- to the Old Naval Observatory Historic District • Navy Hill has remained in government longer extant. Though the medical and like setting for the Naval Observatory and and to identify landscape features that have not use throughout its history, though its educational uses are no longer later the Naval Medical School. A been previously defined by cultural resources use by federal agencies has been varied. represented on the site, Potomac Annex number of trees at Potomac Annex date studies, and determine if the features are This land use contributes to the historic has remained in continuous government from the period of significance and contributing resources to the Old Naval district. use and has retained administrative and should be considered as contributing to Observatory and E Street Complex Historic office uses through the present. This the historic landscape. • Despite the loss of the North Building in Districts. Features evaluated as contributing are land use contributes to the historic the 1960s, the most important aspect of those that were present during the period of district. • Small-scale features that are part of the the area’s spatial organization, the significance, are associated with the historical historic landscape and contribute to the quadrangle, and the orientation of the significance of the landscape, and retain • The most important aspect of the district are the gas lamp, flagpole, and remaining buildings have been retained. sufficient integrity to convey the historical historic district’s spatial organization, Benjamin Rush statue. The quadrangle is significant as an character of the property. the Prime Meridian around which the campus was organized on a north-south • Though some of the historical views organizing element and is a contributing 5.1 Potomac Annex axis, is still present. Today the campus- from the campus no longer exist, those feature. like site layout still respects the spatial views to and from the National Mall and The Potomac Annex portion of Potomac Hill • The circulation system was affected by arrangement that was prevalent by 1924, East and West Potomac Parks, to and represents several periods of development. the construction of the E Street Freeway, though some individual landscape from Arlington National Cemetery, to Building 2 (the Old Naval Observatory) and and therefore the remaining circulation elements no longer exist. The Prime Georgetown, and from Memorial Bridge, Maury Circle illustrate the oldest period of the system is fragmented and not Meridian and Maury Circle, one of the remain and are contributing to the campus’s history, when it was used as the U.S. contributing. The only contributing few remaining features from the Naval historic landscape of the site. Naval Observatory. The remainder of the site is boundary demarcation of significance at Observatory, contribute to the district. more indicative of twentieth-century Navy Hill is the concrete retaining wall along the eastern perimeter of the development after the establishment of the • The current circulation system is Naval Hospital and Medical School. The current fragmentary and only partially reflects campus, built in 1933.

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• All vegetation at Navy Hill post-dates the end of the period of significance and is considered non-contributing.

• There are no extant small-scale features that date from the period of significance.

• Views and vistas are an important feature of Potomac Hill’s cultural landscape. As with Potomac Hill, the significance of views from Navy Hill stems from its prominent position in Washington’s landscape. Significant, contributing views today are views from the south end of the property toward the Lincoln Memorial.

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Bryan, W.B., and Sessford, J. Department of the Navy Green, H.H. 6.0 References and 1908 The Sessford Annals. Records of the 2004 U.S. Naval Observatory. Department of 1916 Bird’s Eye View of Washington, D.C. The Columbia Historical Society, Washington, the Navy, Washington, D.C. Accessed Matthews Northrup Works, Buffalo, Bibliography D.C.. 11:271-288. online September 9, 2004, at Cleveland, New York. Accessed online . June 2014 at . Ames, Mary Clemmer Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Naval Medical 1874 Ten Years in Washington: Life and Scenes Department De Stephano, Darren Herman, Jan K. in the National Capital as a Woman Sees var. Photographs and maps of the Old Naval 2004 Arborist Report. On file, The Louis Berger 1996 A Hilltop in Foggy Bottom. Fourth Them. A.D. Worthington & Co, Hartford, Observatory. Copies on file, The Louis Group, Inc., Washington, D.C. printing. Bureau of Medicine and Connecticut. Berger Group, Inc., Washington, D.C. Surgery, Department of the Navy, Dick, Steven J. Washington, D.C. Bacon, Mardges 1848 Excavations. Photocopy of original on 2003 Sky and Ocean Joined: The U.S. Naval 1986 Ernest Flagg: Beaux-Arts Architect and file, Communications Directorate, Falls Observatory 1830-2000. Cambridge Historic Landscape Initiative, National Park Urban Reformer. MIT Press, Cambridge, Church, Virginia. University Press, Cambridge, England. Service Massachusetts. 2004 The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards Caemmerer, H.P. Dunbar, A.W. for the Treatment of Historic Properties Baist, G.M. 1932 Washington The National Capital. U.S. 1912 A Description of Recent Hospital with Guidelines for the Treatment of var. Baist’s Real Estate Atlas of Surveys of Government Printing Office, Construction in the United States Navy. Cultural Landscapes. Historic Washington, District of Columbia. G.W. Washington, D.C. U.S. Naval Medical Bulletin 6(4):473-523. Landscape Initiative, National Park Baist Company, Philadelphia. Service. Accessed online April 16, 2004, Cartwright, T. Ellicott, Andrew at Bauman, William 1801 George Town and Federal City, or City of 1792 Plan of the City of Washington. On file, . 1873 Map of the U.S. Naval Observatory Washington. Atkins & Nightingale, Geography and Map Division, Library of Grounds at Washington, D.C. (date London and Philadelphia. Accessed Congress, Washington, D.C. John Cullinane Associates and Robinson & estimated). Unknown publisher. On file, online June 2014 at Associates, Inc. [JCA and Robinson] United States Naval Observatory Library, . [ERDC] Naval District Washington, Washington, 2004 Naval District Washington Integrated D.C.: U.S. Naval Observatory, Boschke, A. Center for the Study of Intelligence Cultural Resources Management Plan. Washington, D.C. Prepared for the U.S. 1857 Map of Washington City, District of 2012 50 Years in Langley: Recollections of the Prepared for the Department of the Navy Department of the Navy, Engineering Columbia, Seat of the Federal Government: Construction of CIA’s Original Environmental and Safety Office and the Field Activity, Naval Facilities Respectfully Dedicated to the Senate and Headquarters Building. Accessed online Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Engineering Command and Naval the House of Representatives of the United June 2014 at Washington, D.C., by Engineer Research District of Washington, Washington, States of North America. Surveyed and . Health Service, 1798-1948. National Keller, J. Timothy, and Genevieve P. Keller <.http://memory.loc.gov/cgibin/ Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. 1994 National Register Bulletin: How to map_item.pl?data=/home/www/data/gm Columbia Historical Society Evaluate and Nominate Designed Historic d/gmd385/g3850/g3850/ct001206.jp2.>. 1900 View from the Washington Monument. Gilchrist, Agnes Addison Landscapes. National Register of Historic Copy of the photograph on file, The 1950 William Strickland: Architect and Places, National Park Service, United Louis Berger Group, Inc., Washington, Engineer, 1788-1854. University of States Department of the Interior, D.C. Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia. Washington, D.C.

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L’Enfant, Pierre Charles Philadelphia. Accessed online Washington, D.C. Data available online Department of the Interior, Washington, 1791 Dotted line map of Washington, D.C., December 22, 2004, at at D.C. 1791, before Aug. 19th. Accessed online Sefton, Douglas, Ron Frenesse, and Michael . .html>. Tallent Pappas, Douglas 2013 E Street Complex (Office of Strategic Lewis, Steven H. Morrison, W.M. 1937 Washington, City and Capital. Federal Services and Central Intelligence 1964 Old Naval Observatory National Historic 1852 Morrison’s Stranger’s Guide to the City of Writers’ Project, Works Progress Agency Headquarters). National Landmark designation documentation. Washington and its Vicinity. William M. Administration, American Guide Series. Register Nomination Form. Prepared by National Survey of Historic Sites and Morrison, Washington, D.C. Government Printing Office, the DC Preservation League. Buildings. United States Department of Washington, D.C. the Interior, Washington, D.C. National Institutes of Health [NIH] n.d. PHS Hygienic Laboratory Front View. s Philadelphia Architects and Buildings Project Sobocinski, André Library of Congress from the History of Medicine Division. 2003 Strickland, William (1788-1854). 2004 Historian, Navy Medical Department. 1865 Arlington Heights, Va. Blockhouse near National Institutes of Health, Philadelphia Architects and Buildings Personal Communication with Lynn Aqueduct Bridge. Photograph call Washington, D.C. Accessed online June Project. Accessed online April 20, 2004, Pilgrim-Little, Louis Berger Landscape number LC-B811- 2282[P&P]. On file and 2014 at at Architect, April 16. online, Prints and Photographs Division, . ab/app/ar_display.cfm/25248>. Strickland, William 1844a Plan of the Naval Observatory. Copy on The Louis Berger Group, Inc. [Louis Berger] ca. 1920 [PHS Hygienic Laboratory] aerial Public Buildings Commission file, The Louis Berger Group, Inc., 2005 Historic Landscape Survey, Old Naval view. Images from the History of 1917 Washington, The Mall and Vicinity, Washington, D.C. Observatory (Potomac Annex), Medicine Division. National Institutes of Buildings Occupied by Various Washington, D.C. Prepared for Health, Washington, D.C. Accessed Government Activities. Prepared by the 1844b Letter to J.Y. Mason, Secretary of the Department of the Navy, Naval District online June 2014 at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Navy. Records of the Department of the Washington Environmental and Safety . . Department General Letter Book, 1844– Washington, D.C. 1845. E3. Microfilm 209. National Intelligencer Public Buildings Service 2007 Cultural Resource Survey, Potomac 1848 [No title]. October 9. 1904 Photograph of the Hygienic Laboratory. Swanke Hayden Connell Architects [SHCA] Annex, Washington, District of Columbia. Records of the Public Buildings Service, 2000 Potomac Annex Building 2, Historic Prepared for the Department of the Navy National Park Service National Archives and Records Structures Report, Corrected Final Naval Facilities Engineering Command 2004 History of the Cherry Trees in Administration, Washington, D.C. Submission. Prepared for the General Washington by The Louis Berger Group, Washington, D.C. National Park Service, Services Administration, Washington, Inc., Washington, D.C. United States Department of the Interior, E. Sachse & Co. [Sachse] D.C., by Swanke Hayden Connell Washington, D.C. Accessed online 1855 View of Georgetown D.C. Accessed Architects, New York. Miller, Rebecca December 22, 2004, at online, June 2014, at 2008 Old Naval Observatory. National Register . 954/>. 1908 Old Georgetown. in Records of the Application. Prepared by the DC Columbia Historical Society, Washington, Preservation League, Washington, D.C. National Historic Landmarks Program [NHLP] Schroer, Blanche H., and Steven H. Lewis D.C. 2:120-224. Columbia Historical 2007 Old Naval Observatory. National Historic 1977 Old Naval Observatory. National Register Society, Washington, D.C. Morris Arboretum, University of Pennsylvania Landmarks Data, National Park Service, of Historic Places Registration Form. On 2004 F. Otto Haas Oak Allee. Morris United States Department of the Interior, file, National Register Program Office, Arboretum, University of Pennsylvania, National Park Service, United States

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Ulm, A.H. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. States for the Fiscal Year 1921. Young, Emily 1930 They Attack Death’s Arsenal for Us. Accessed online June 2014 at Government Printing Office, 2010 2430 E Street NW Complex. National Washington Post. November 2. . Washington, D.C. Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. Prepared for the General Services United States Congress, House of 1964 Vertical Cartographic Photograph of United States National Library of Medicine, Administration by A.D. Marble & Representatives Washington, D.C. United States National Institutes of Health Company. 1850 American Prime Meridian. 31st Congress, Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. 2001 Benjamin Rush Statue. United States 1st Session. Rep. No. 286. Government Accessed online June 2014 at National Library of Medicine, National Printing Office, Washington, D.C. . Institutes of Health, Washington, D.C. Accessed online November 29, 2004, at 1875 Report of the Secretary of the Navy. 44th United States Public Health and Marine- . Part 3. Government Printing Office, 1905 Annual Report of the Surgeon General of Washington, D.C. the Public Health and Marine-Hospital United States Naval Observatory Library Service of the United States for the Fiscal var. Various photographs. On file, United United States Congress, Senate year 1904. Government Printing Office, States Naval Observatory Library, 1845 Report of the Secretary of the Navy Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Communicating A Report of the Plan and Construction of the Depot of Charts 1906 Annual Report of the Surgeon General of Van Zandt, Franklin and Instruments, with a Description of the Public Health and Marine-Hospital 1976 Boundaries of the United States and The the Instruments, etc. 28th Congress, 2nd Service of the United States for the Fiscal Several States. Geological Survey Session. Senate Exec. Doc. 114. year 1905. Government Printing Office, Professional Paper 99. Government Washington, D.C. Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 1902 The Improvement of the Park System of the District of Columbia, edited by 1910 Annual Report of the Surgeon General of Warner, Michael Charles Moore. 57th Congress, 1st the Public Health and Marine-Hospital 2012 Central Intelligence: Origin and Session. Senate Report No. 166. Service of the United States for the Fiscal Evolution – Historical Perspective. In The Government Printing Office, year 1909. Government Printing Office, Creation of the Intelligence Community: Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Founding Documents, edited by Michael Warner. Government Printing Office, United States Geological Survey [USGS] 1912 Annual Report of the Surgeon General of Washington, D.C. 1949 Vertical Cartographic Photograph of the Public Health and Marine-Hospital Washington, D.C. United States Service of the United States for the Fiscal Wheat, Carolyn E. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. year 1911. Government Printing Office, 1993 Naval Medical School and Washington Accessed online June 2014 at Washington, D.C. Naval Hospital. National Register of . Historic Places Registration Form. United States Public Health Service [PHS] Prepared by the General Services 1951 Vertical Cartographic Photograph of 1916 Annual Report of the Surgeon General of Administration, Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. United States the Public Health Service of the United Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. States for the Fiscal year 1915. Williams, Ralph Chester Accessed online June 2014 at Government Printing Office, 1951 United States Public Health Service 1798- . Washington, D.C. 1950. Commissioned Officers Association of the United States Public 1963 Vertical Cartographic Photograph of 1921 Annual Report of the Surgeon General of Health Service, Bethesda, Maryland. Washington, D.C. United States the Public Health Service of the United

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