The Capitol at Washington The Capitol building in Washington, D. C. is situated on a plateau 88 ft. above the level of the Potomac River and covers an area of 153,112 sq. ft., or approximately 32 acres. Its length, from north to south, is 751 ft., 4 ins.; its width, including approaches, is 350 ft.; and its location is described as being in latitude 380 53′ 20.4" north and longitude 770 00' 35.7" west from Greenwich. Its height above the base line on the east front to the top of the Statue of Freedom is 287 ft., 512 ins. The dome is built of iron, and the aggregate weight of material used in its construction is 8,909,200 pounds. The Statue of Freedom surmounting the dome is of bronze and weighs 14,985 pounds. It was modeled by Thomas Crawford, father of Francis Marion Crawford, the novelist, in Rome, and the plaster model shipped to this country. It was cast in bronze at the shops of Clark Mills, on the Bladensburg Road, near Washington. The cost of the casting and the expenses in connection were $20,796.82, and the sculptor was paid $3,000 for the plaster model. It was erected and placed in its present position Dec. 2, 1863. The grounds have had an area of 58.8 acres, at one time a part of Cern Abby Manor, and at an early date were occupied by a subtribe of the Algonquin Indians known as the Powhatans, whose council house was then located at the foot of the hill. By subsequent purchase of ground at the north of the Capitol and at the west of the new House Office building the area of the grounds have been increased to 1392 acres. The Rotunda is 97 ft. 6 ins. in diameter, and its height from the floor to the top of the canopy is 180 ft., 3 ins. The Senate Chamber is 113 ft., 3 ins., in length by 80 ft., 3 in., in width and 36 ft. in height. The galleries will accommodate 682 persons. The Representatives' Hall is 139 ft. in length by 93 ft. in width and 36 ft. in height. The room, until 1935 the meeting place of the Supreme Court, was, until 1859, occupied as the Senate Chamber. Previous to that time the court occupied the room immediately beneath, now used as a law library. The Capitol has a floor area of 14 acres, and 430 rooms are devoted to office, committee, and storage purposes. There are 14,518 sq. ft. of skylights, 679 windows, and 550 doorways. The dome receives light through 108 windows, and from the architect's office to the dome there are 365 steps, one for each day of the year. The southeast corner stone of the original building was laid Sept. 18, 1793, by President Washington, with Masonic ceremonies. It is constructed of sandstone from quarries on Aquia Creek, Va. The original designs were prepared by Dr. William Thorton, and the work was done under the direction of Stephen H. Hallet, James Hoban, George Hadfield, and B. H. Latrobe, architects. The north wing was finished in 1800 and the south wing in 1811. A wooden passageway connected them. On August 24, 1814, the interior of both wings was destroyed by fire, set by the British. The damage to the building was immediately repaired. In 1818 the central portion of the building was commenced, under the architectural superintendence of Charles Bullfinch. The original building was finally completed in 1827. Its cost, including the grading of the grounds, alterations, and repairs, up to 1827, was $2,433,844.13 The corner stone of the extensions was laid on the 4th of July, 1851, by President Fillmore, Daniel Webster officiating as orator. This work was prosecuted under the architectural direction of Thomas U. Walter till 1865, when he resigned, and it was completed under the supervision of Edward Clark. The material used in the walls is white marble from the quarries at Lee, Mass., and that in the columns from the quarries at Cockeysville, Md. The House extension was first occupied for legislative purpose Dec. 16, 1857, and the Senate Jan. 4, 1859. The House office building was begun in 1905 and occupied on Jan. 10, 1908; later, a story on top was added. The Senate Office building was started in 1906 and occupied on March 5, 1909. The House building cost, with site, $4,860,155; the Senate structure, $5,019,251. Among the paintings in the Capitol are: In Rotunda: Signing of the Declaration of Independence, Surrender of General Burgoyne, Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., George Washington Resigning His Commission as Commander in Chief of the Army, all by John Trumbull. Also temporarily displayed until permanently located is the scene at the Signing of the U. S. Constitution by Howard Chandler Christy. Baptism of Pocahontas, by John G. Chapman; Landing of Columbus, by John Vanderlyn; Discovery of the Mississippi River by DeSoto, by William H. Powell; Embarkation of the Pilgrims, by Robert W. Weir. In House Wing: Westward the Course of Empire In Senate Wing: Battle of Lake Erie, by William National Statuary Hall James The National Hall of Statuary, formerly the Hall of the United States House of Representatives, in the Capitol at Washington, was established by Congress July 2, 1864, and contains the following: Mississippi - Jefferson Davis. Missouri-Thomas H. Benton. Rhode Island Roger Williams. New Hampshire-Dan- C.. Calhoun. New Jersey Richard Frances E. Gen. Lew Iowa-S. J. Kirkwood. Arizona-John Campbell Greenway. Nebraska William South Dakota - General Wm. Henry Harrison Beadle. Ingalls. South Carolina-John California Junipero Kentucky Henry iel Webster. Serra. Louisiana-Huey Pierce Charles Carroll. Massachusetts Stephens. - Rice. Delaware-Caesar Rod Florida-John Gorrie, Georgia-Alexander H. Idaho Shoup. George L. Michigan-Lewis Cass. New York-Robert R. North Carolina-Zebu- Ohio-William Allen. Fulton. Texas-Samuel Hous LOCATIONS OF STATUES OTHER THAN IN STATUARY HALL In the Hall of Columns (Street Floor, House Wing), Alabama-J. L. M. Curry. Arkansas James P. Clarke. California-Thomas Starr King. Florida-E. Kirby Smith. Illinois James Shields. Indiana-Oliver P. Morton. Iowa-James Harlan. In the Small Vestibule North of Statuary Hall Kansas-George W. Glick. Massachusetts-John Island-Nathanael Greene. In the Senate Connection are: Delaware-John In the Rotunda are: Ohio-James A. Garfield. Tennessee--Andrew Jackson. Virginia-George Washington. NEW YORK STATE STATISTICS Population by Counties Source: United States Bureau of the Census. In 1940 the land area of New York state was 47,929 square miles, as against 47,654, (1880-1930). Brief History of New York State Source: The Legislative Manual New York State, one of the thirteen original states of the Union, was named in honor of the Duke of York, and is commonly referred to as the "Empire State." Visited by Verrazano in 1524, and first explored by Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain in 1609, it was settled by the Dutch in 1624. After forty years as the Dutch province of New Netherland, it was conquered by England in 1664 and then renamed New York. Existing as an English province for over a century, it declared its independence of Great Britain on July 9, 1776. The colony of 180,000 persons has developed during the past 150 years into the most populous state in the Union, with 12,588,066 inhabitants, when the Federal census was taken in 1930. New York's first Constitution was adopted on April 20, 1777, and George Clinton was declared elected the first Governor of the State on July 9, 1777. New York State was in many ways the principal battleground of the Revolutionary War. Out of the three hundred and eight skirmishes and engagements, no less than ninety-two were fought on New York State soil. The Battle of Saratoga, cited as one of the decisive battles of the World, made possible the crowning victory at Yorktown. The British evacuated New York City on November 25, 1783. The Constitution of the United States was ratified by New York State on July 26, 1788. New York City became the first capital of the Federal Republic, and there George Washington, after being inaugurated as the first President, lived for one year and four months. The name of George Washington is linked with New York State's early history on many occasions. He first visited New York in 1756. Excepting the year 1777, he lived in New York State a portion of each year from 1775, when he was chosen head of the American forces, until he bade farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern, New York City, on December 4, 1783. It was in New York State that he received the Declaration of Independence; here he planned some of his most important campaigns; here he proclaimed the cessation of hostilities; here he declined a kingship and wrote some of his most masterful state papers. Here on April 30, 1789, in Federal Hall, New York City, he took the oath of office as the first President of the United States. George Clinton, following an election in June, 1777, ordered by the Council of Safety created by the Convention of the Representatives of New York, was declared elected first Governor of the State of New York July 9, 1777. He was opposed by three candidates: John Jay, Philip Schuyler and John Morin Scott. Not only was he elected Governor but also Lieutenant-Governor; the latter office he declined. He was inaugurated as Governor July 30, 1777, at Kingston, N. Y. According to historical records, the ceremony was memorable though not ostentatious. Standing on the same upturned barrel in front of the Kingston Courthouse from which the New York State Constitution had been read and proclaimed April 22, 1777, Governor Clinton in the uniform of a Brigadier-General of Militia, took the oath of office as the first Governor of the State of New York. The unsheathed sword he held in his upraised hand was perhaps mute token that the Governor was determined to be faithful and efficient in his other vital responsibility-that of Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of the State. On the same day, the Council of Safety proclaimed Clinton as Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the State. EARLY CHRONOLOGY, NEW YORK STATE 1609 Champlain enters New York from Canada; Hudson enters New York Bay. 1614-Fort Nassau built on Castle Island below Albany; the "Onrust" launched; Amsterdam merchants given a trading charter for "New Netherland." 1620-Puritans refused right to settle in New Netherland. 1626-Minuit arrives as the first "Director-General of New Netherland;" Manhattan Island bought for $23; block house and palisades built and called Fort Amsterdam. 1653-City government at Manhattan, earliest within U. S.; "Remonstrance" of the eight towns called at New Amsterdam. 1664-New Netherland granted to the Duke of York by Charles II; Popular Assembly called; New Netherland surrenders to the English. 1665-Duke's Laws" promulgated by Nicolls, first English Governor of New York; powers of taxation in Governor and Council. 1673-Dutch recapture New York; first postal service in America. 1674-By treaty England regains New York; Andros appointed Governor. 1679-Indian slavery abolished; Fort Niagara built by La Salle. 1683-Dongan made Governor first elected representative Assembly called; "Charter of Liberties" granted; ten counties created within present New York. 1686-New York and New England consolidated (dissolved in 1689); City of Albany incorporated, Peter Schuyler first Mayor. 1690 First Continental Congress at New York City. 1693-First printing-press in the colony; Episcopal Church established in the colony. 1731-French build fort at Crown Point; boundary with Connecticut settled. 1732-Public free school in New York city. 1738-Jews disfranchised. 1765 Stamp Act passed; "Sons of Liberty" organized; Stamp Act Congress at New York city. This act was repealed in 1766. 1775-Delegates sent to Second Continental Congress; temporary State government established by First Provincial Congress; Crown Point and Ticonderoga captured; Canadian expedition fails. 1776-Declaration of Independence read to troops; New York ratifies the Declaration of Independence: Battle of Long Island (August 26-29); British capture New York (Sept. 15); Nathan Hale executed; naval combat on Lake Champlain. 1777-First State Constitution adopted: State government organized; George Clinton elected as first Governor. 1782-New York transfers her western lands to the nation. 1783-Washington refuses crown at Newburgh; treaty of peace signed; New York city evacuated by the British; Washington's farewell (Dec. 4). 1781-State Legislature meets in New York city; Continental Congress removes to New York city. 1787-Constitution of the United States formed: Act disfranchising Tories repealed. 1788-New York adopts the Constitution of U. S. (July 26); Representatives to Federal Congress elected. 1789-Washington inaugurated at New York city (Apr. 30); Schuyler and King chosen as first Senators. 1797--Albany made the State capital. Registered Motor Vehicles in New York State' Source: State Bureau of Motor Vehicles Geological History of the Empire State Source: The late John M. Clarke, State Geologist, New York State Museum The geological history of New York can be traced back to the Precambrian era, the oldest recognizable in the rocks of the earth. These earliest rocks known are the Grenville metamorphosed sediments (gneisses, marble, etc.). They are exposed in the Adirondacks and the Hudson Highlands. They prove that in Grenville time Northern, Eastern, and probably Southwestern NAY. was under the water. After the deposition of the Grenville sediments Igneous activity took place on a large scale and huge masses of molten rock (granite, anorthosite, gabbro, syenite) were pushed into the sediments from below. Some time after the whole Adirondack region was subjected to enormous pressure and intensely folded, and then the great mass of Grenville sediments was upraised well above the sea. At the beginning of the Cambrian time, when organic life becomes first recognizable in the State, only the eastern margin was submerged, but toward the end (Potsdam time) the sea covered the whole region except the central and northwestern Adirondacks. In the long Ordovician period, during which the Beekmantown, Chazy, Black River and Trenton limestones and the Utica, Frankfort and Lorraine shales and sandstones were deposited, the State was most of the time submerged under the Ordovician sea, except for the Adirondack island. Toward the end of that period, however, the Green and Taconic Mountains arose along the eastern border of the State and practically all of Northern, Central, Eastern and Northeastern New York became dry land. In the following Silurian period were deposited the Medina and Oneida sandstone and conglomerate, the Clinton shale, sandstone, limestone and iron ore, the Rochester shale, the Lockport and Guelph dolomites, the Salina shales, salt and waterline, etc. During the early part of this period the sea had spread over only Central and Western New York, while during the late Silurian it had extended over the State west and south of the Adirondack region. The strata of the next or Devonian era comprises the whole Catskill and southwestern plateau provinces and cover more than a third of the State. These rocks abound in fossils and show that the sea continued to cover at least the southern half. The sea of the Carboniferous period hardly came over the boundary of the State from Pennsylvania. At the end of Paleozoic time New York, except for a small area at the mouth of the Hudson, was raised during the Appalachian revolution well above the sea, never to be invaded again until the end of the glacial period. During the long Mesozoic period New York was dry land; in Triassic time considerable volcanic activity prevailed in Southeastern New York, when sheets of lava (the trap of the Palisades) were forced into nonmarine Triassic beds. During the next, or Jurassic, period the State was above the sea and actively eroded, but in the following Cretaceous period Staten and Long Islands disappeared under the sea. At the end of this period the State, which had been eroded nearly to a plain, was uplifted 2,0003.000 feet. After this time in the Tertiary period the present drainage and relief of the State were developed in its major features. Finally came the glacial period, which enriched the State with thousands of lakes and waterfalls. It ended with the Champlain subsidence, during which the sea came for the last time into New York, into the Champlain Basin and Hudson Valley. A recent elevation has again drained these regions. The Hudson River is one of the most ancient rivers of the continent and flows over rocks which have been frequently and heavily faulted. Minerals and Mining in New York State Source: An Official of the State Museum The mines and quarries of New York State, according to the New York State Museum at Albany, yield materials valued at more than $75,000,000 a year in their first marketable forms. The State has no gold or coal deposits. Iron ore has been mined and smelted since about 1750. The deposits are widely distributed; magnetite is obtained in the Adirondacks and the Hudson Highlands, hematite in the Clinton belt of the central and western counties, limonite in Dutchess and Columbia counties. Zinc ore occurs in St. Lawrence, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties, but the first named is the only producer. The output of metallic zinc in 1940 amounted to 35.700 short tons, with a value of $4,641,000. Petroleum and natural gas represent a value of about $20,000,000. Gypsum in recent years has come into wide use for building purposes and in the mining and manufacture of this material New York leads. The output is about 700,000 short tons with a value of $1,100,000. Salt produced amounted to 14,582,086 barrels in 1940 valued at $5,855,422. Both rock salt and evaporated salt are obtained. Cement manufacture, in which local clays and limestones are utilized, has had a rapid growth. The works are mostly centered in the Hudson River valley below Albany, but there are also plants in Warren, Schoharie, Tompkins, Onondaga and Erie counties. The present output of Portland cement is around 6,100,000 barrels, worth nearly $9,000,000 Clay and clay manufactures inclusive of brick, tile. terra cotta and pottery recently have amounted to $8,900,000. The quarry stones include granite and marble In the Adirondacks and Hudson Highlands, and a varied assortment of limestones and sandstones from other regions. Trap rock is obtained in Rockland county. The total products have a value in excess of $12,000,000. The mines of talc in St. Lawrence county are the largest in the country. Other minerals produced in New York State are garnet, diatomaceous earth, quartz, emery, graphite, feldspar, pyrite, slate, millstones, molding sand and building sand and gravel. NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM The State Museum is a part of the Education Department of the University of the State of New York. The collections are arranged on the upper floors of the State Education Building, opposite the Capitol, at Albany. The collections are open free on week days. Hall of Geology and Mineralogy. Special exhibits in geology illustrate various industries such as clays, sands, limestone, salt, gypsum, building stone, oil and graphite. Hall of Paleontology. This hall includes vertebrates and invertebrates. The exhibits of trilobites and eurypterids are of unusual scientific interest. The wax restorations of very ancient extinct marine life in New York show the general appearance of these animals on the sea bottom. The Gilboa fossil forest shows three layers or horizons of tree trunks representing as many forests that flourished in ancient Devonian time. These trunks belong to the oldest known forests in the world. Hall of Zoology. The animals of New York are exhibited in this hall, the larger mammals in habitat groups and the smaller mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles and mollusks in extensive series of well-mounted specimens. The mounted series of domestic poultry, including the domestic fowl, turkeys, pigeons, peacock, ducks, geese and pheasants is extensive. The collection of birds' eggs is one of the most complete in America. This section also contains a representative series of insects. State Herbarium. The State Herbarium contains 75,000 specimens, mostly of New York plants, and has a large collection of fungi. A special exhibit of wax models illustrates the common edible and poisonous fungi. Halls of Archaeology and Ethnology. The former illustrates the implements used by the Iroquois Indians, such as flint arrow and spear heads, axes, pipes, pottery and various articles used for adornment. General. The State Museum conducts geologic and economic surveys of its natural resources and their relation to its industries, also a natural history survey of the plants and animals, including insects, and acts as a general bureau of information publishing popular and technical reports. The historic and industrial collections are of considerable value and are growing. New York State Mountain Peaks Source: The U. S. Geological Survey; figures show feet above mean sea level Adirondacks-The principal mountain group in Catskills-They cover an area of 1,000 square the Empire State, occupying an area of 5,000 square miles, principally in Greene, Ulster, Sullivan, and miles in the north-northeast area. Delaware counties, west of the Hudson River. CHIEF ADIRONDACK PEAKS (Figures ending in 0 usually are derived from contours and may be as much as 20 feet in error) |