Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

24  INTRODUCING W ASHINGT ON , DC

Post Civil War established home rule. It took over some
The Freedmen’s Bureau was created to help of the District’s debts, and appointed three
provide African-Americans with housing, commissioners to work within a set budget.
food, education, and employment. In 1867 Washington became a city of contrasts,
General Oliver Otis Howard, commissioner attracting both rich and poor. One of the
of the bureau, used $500,000 of the bureau’s most distinguished literati in the city was
funds to purchase land to establish a univer- Henry Adams, best known for his auto-
sity for African-Americans. He was president biographical work, The Education of Henry
of this institution, later named Howard Adams. He lived on Lafayette Square next
University, from 1869 to 1873. door to John Hay, Secretary of State and
On February 21, 1871, a new “territorial also a man of let ters. One of Washington’s
government” was formed to unite most prominent African Americans,
Georgetown, the city of Washington, and Frederick Douglass, lived at Cedar Hill,
the County of Washington into the District across the river in Anacostia. Born a
of Columbia. A governor and a board of slave in Maryland, he escaped north to
public works were appointed by Presi dent freedom where he started an abolitionist
Ulysses S. Grant. Alexander “Boss” Shepherd, newspaper. During the Civil War he became
a member of the board of public works, an adviser to President Lincoln.
paved streets, installed streetlights, laid Many lived well, including the growing
sidewalks, planned parks, and designed an middle class, which moved to the new
advanced sew erage system. But the District’s suburbs of Mount Pleasant and LeDroit
debts rose uncontrollably. As a result, Park, yet a large number of the poor made
Congress quickly tightened its reins and their home in Washington’s hidden alleys.
A New Century
In 1901 Senator James McMillan
of Michigan spearheaded a
plan to improve the design
of Washington by partaking in
the “city beautiful” movement,
in vogue at the time. L’Enfant’s
plan was finally completed, and
the Mall between the Wash ington
Monument and the US Capitol
was laid out. Architects Daniel
Burnham, Charles F. McKim, and
others planned the building of
a memorial to honor President
The Library of Congress under construction Abraham Lincoln.

1884 Washington 1901 Senator James McMillan
Monument is completed spearheads “city beautiful” movement
1867 Howard 1877 Frederick Douglass
University is moves to Cedar Hill. First issue 1889 Construction on the
established of the Washington Post Library of Congress begins
1860 1870 1880 1890 1900
1871 Territorial 1878 First telephone service 1897 First automobile in
government is in Washington becomes a the District of Columbia 1917 US enters World War I
formed municipal corporation
Oliver Otis Howard 1899 The Height of Buildings Act puts
(1830–1909) vertical limitations on all construction in DC

024-025_EW_Washington.indd 24 04/04/17 2:38 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
History Portrait template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.2)
Date 20th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm