The Capitol: 1915

A truly beautiful building. Even more impressive when actually there. But some may forget that it's also where the airbag was invented.

With regards to the comment in "East Front" below, back in the early 90's I worked for a senior congressman who had an office in the Capitol. He and I both lived on the Hill; sometimes I would pick him up at his house and drive him to work. I would park right in front of the Capitol on the House side. I had a metal plate embossed with "103rd Congress" that I would throw on the dash & we would drive right in. Convenient, yes, scenic, no!!

At least the entire area isn't filled with parked cars as it was during the 1980s and 1990s. The security scares of recent years have had at least that good effect.

I walked along First Street in front of the Capitol yesterday afternoon. There are bollards everywhere. It was a beautiful fall day, but unfortunately the atmosphere is no longer the welcoming openness seen in this photo.

What a starkly impressive scene and photo. It's not likely to be repeated due to visual obstructions such as subsequent construction, vegetation and traffic.

It's surprising that approximately 65 years after significant expansion, at which time the dome spire was added, among other changes, the building remained so isolated. And when was it photographed? Early morning on a Sunday? Only one ghost appears walking directly in front.