Photograph by courtesy of the Oldest Inhabitants Association
GRAND REVIEW OF UNION ARMY, MAY, 1865
OLD HAYMARKET SQUARE, LOUISIANA AVENUE BETWEEN NINTH AND TENTH STREETS
THE CAPITOL, 1870
Chapter XI
IMPROVEMENTS MADE DURING PRESIDENT GRANT’S ADMINISTRATION
The year 1870 marked the beginning of a new and effective movement for the development of the National Capital. Washington was then a city of 109,199.
Great efforts to relocate the National Capital in some other city, preferably farther to the west, were made by some who were familiar with conditions in Washington. St. Louis offered to spend several millions of dollars for the erection of public buildings. Congress settled this agitation by appropriating $500,000 as an initial sum for the construction of the State, War, and Navy Building.
By an act of Congress approved February 21, 1871, a Territorial form of government, consisting of a governor, a board of public works, and a legislative assembly, was created. Alexander R. Shepherd, better known as “Boss” Shepherd, a native of Washington, was appointed a member of the board of public works and, later, governor of the new Territory.