Did you notice the rather small temple-like stone structure right here? This is the US Capitol East Gatehouse. It and its twin are remnants from a bygone era. The US Capitol East Gatehouse whispers tales of grand entrances and landscape renovations.
Originally, architect Charles Bulfinch designed the US Capitol Gatehouses and Gateposts around 1827. They were part of the original Capitol design. Bulfinch was the first American-born architect to oversee work on the U.S. Capitol Building. Imagine carriages passing through these very grounds. The US Capitol Gatehouse once stood at the base of Capitol Hill on the west side. It marked a carriage entrance to the grounds.
But time and tastes change. In 1874, landscaping renovations led by Frederick Law Olmsted changed everything. The US Capitol Gatehouses were removed from their original location. Then in 1880, the US Capitol East Gatehouse found its new home here at Constitution Avenue and 15th Street. Its twin, the West Gatehouse, was placed at 17th and Constitution. They now flank the White House and the Washington Monument axis.
Take a closer look at the US Capitol East Gatehouse architecture. Notice the rough-coursed masonry. It is called rustication. It marks the sides and rear. A small Tuscan order porch graces the front. The material is Aquia Creek sandstone. Sadly, it was of a rather poor grade.
In 1938, the sandstone’s deterioration demanded complete reconstructions. Architect Thomas T. Waterman of the National Park Service oversaw these restorations. They ensured the US Capitol East Gatehouse would endure.
Also note the gateposts. Four original gateposts accompanied the US Capitol East Gatehouse when it moved. These posts once formed part of the fence around the Capitol grounds. They stand twelve feet high and five feet square. The pillars are constructed of Aquia Creek sandstone. Horizontal band courses adorn the shaft. A continuous frieze decorated with a guilloche pattern adds detail. A volute with a stylized anthemion crowns the top.
Interestingly, the US Capitol East Gatehouse bears two high water marks. They are carved into the stone. They commemorate flooding in 1877 and 1881. These marks offer a tangible connection to the past.
Today, the US Capitol East Gatehouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves as a reminder of the Capitol’s original design. It is a testament to architectural vision and adaptation. The US Capitol East Gatehouse stands as a silent sentinel. It has witnessed the evolution of Washington D.C. It connects us to the city’s rich history.