DR. WILLIAM THORNTON
OLD LAND OFFICE BUILDING
One of the interesting historic landmarks in the National Capital is the old Land Office Building at Seventh and Eighth and E and F Streets NW., where it occupies an entire square. It was designed by Robert Mills in 1830 and constructed of marble from New York and Maryland under the supervision of Thomas U. Walter, Architect of the Capitol, at a cost exceeding $2,000,000. It was built during that decade when the Patent Office and the Department of the Treasury Buildings, similar in their classical type of architecture, were authorized by Congress and placed under way during the administration of President Jackson.
This building was erected as the first permanent building for the Post Office Department and of the city post office.
Here, in 1844, the first telegraph office in the United States and of the world was opened and operated by S. F. B. Morse, the site being marked by a bronze plaque in the wall on the east side of the building.
The first attempt to determine longitude by telegraph also was made in this building in 1846. Earlier in the century a building stood here in which the first theatrical performance in the National Capital was given. The site, too, was at one time considered for the Botanic Garden. Until 1880 this section was the residential district of the city.
During the World War the building was occupied by Gen. Enoch Crowder, in charge of the National Selective Draft Board. On his return from France, General Pershing made it his headquarters. Since his retirement the building has been occupied in part by the United States Tariff Commission.
OLD PATENT OFFICE BUILDING
The original two buildings burned, whereupon Congress authorized the erection of a new Patent Office Building according to the designs of Robert Mills, architect. The present building was begun in 1837 and completed in 1867. Doctor Thornton was the first Commissioner. It occupies two squares, at Seventh and Ninth and F and G Streets NW., at the site where L’Enfant had indicated in his plan there should be a great national church. It is a monumental marble building, Doric in its style of architecture, and with its large pediments and columns—in design and size like those of the Parthenon—creates the impression of simple dignity and beauty that is eternal. Models of American inventions to the number of 200,000 were kept in this building until the new National Museum was built. The Patent Office has been moved into the new Department of Commerce Building. It is one of the large bureaus of the Department of Commerce.