What Is Going to Happen to D.C.'s Capitol Rocks?-- Part 2: And, the Corinthian Columns

Along with the Capitol's old Corinthian columns, the stones spent a short stint at the Capitol Power Plant where they remained until as late as 1972.

In the 1980s, the Corinthian columns were removed to the  the National Arboretum where they are still a popular, and officually sancioned tourist attraction.

The stones, on the othernhand were just dumped at Rock Creek Park.

Since then, they have become a beloved landmark for those who know.  Located beside the park offices, they are stacked haphazardly.  Last summer, fencing was put up around them.

Let's hope they can continue to stay where they are as long as they don't pose a danger to anyone.

--Brock-Perry

What Is Going to Happen to Washington, D.C.'s Capitol Stones?

From the August 16, 2022, Smithsonian Magazine "Is this the end of D.C.'s most-beloved hidden landmark?" by Ellen Wexler.

In the hills of D.C.'s Rock Creek Park, hundreds of stones are piled two stories high and have sat there for quite awhile with very few folks knowing about them.  And, they are not just regular stones.  They were once part of one of the most famous structures in the United States.

What makes these stones remarkable is that they were once a part of the United States Capitol, located about eight miles south of the park.

But soon, these stones' time at the park are going to come to an end.  Officials from the National Park Service have ordered them removed for safety, realignment and preservation purposes.

The stones date back to the early 1800s when thye Capitol underwent extensive restoration after Britrish troops set fire to the building during the War of 1812, causing devastating damage.  More than a century later, in the 1950s,  renovations led to the stones' replacement.

--Brock-Perry

About That D.C. Tornado-- Part 2: And Then It Hit

Along with the Executive Mansion (White House), the War Department, the State Department, the Treasury and many government offices were burned.  And, of course, the Capitol , along with the original Library of Congress, was also destroyed.

The British policy was to leave private property alone.  However, the fires threatened to spread out of control.  The city was in jeopardy.

The next day, August 25,  as fires still raged, a massive storm hit Washington,.  The driving rain put out most of the fires threatening the city.  Perhaps, more importantly, the invading British were so battered and demoralized by the storm (tornado included),it caused them to cut short their occupation of the city.

The storm (tornado) was so severe that it tore buildings apart, literally lifting them off their foundations.  The winds uprooted trees and knocked men to the ground.  A number of houses collapsed, killing British soldiers taking cover in them.

One British officer reported seeing cannons lifted off the ground and thrown through the air.  British soldiers out in the streets to maintain order, were forced to lie prostrate in the mud.

This Was a Tornado.  --Brock-Perry

Did a Tornado Save Washington, D.C.?-- Part 2: And a Huge Rainstorm Put Out the Fires

The clouds began to form and the winds kicked up.  What happened next has been called a tornado which formed  in the center of the city and made its way through the British forces on Capitol Hill, ripping buildings and uprooting trees as it went along.

The British cannons weren't spared either and were tossed around like leaves.  The British who didn't take cover were killed by falling debris and structures.

Even when the tornado was gone, heavy rains continued to pour for the next two hours and most of the fires which the British had set were extinguished.

From the Heavens.  --Brock-Perry

Did a Tornado Save Washington, D.C. in the War of 1812?-- Part 1

From the May 7, 2022, SOFREP.com "Did a tornado save Washington, D.C. from being razed to the ground?"

On the night of August  24, 1814, British troops entered the nation's capital with the intent of destruction.  They set fire to the U.S. Capitol and what is now known as the White House.

The U.S. Capitol survived, though the Senate wing was badly damaged since it was the oldest part of the structure with wooden floors and the books and manuscripts of the Library of Congress.

Washingtonians were used to scorching summer heat and damaging storms.  The day of the invasion, the temperature was at 100 degrees, excellent conditions for the burning of the city.  Much of the city was aflame as the British continued their destruction.

But, the skies began to darken and there was sharp  lightning accompanied with loud claps of thunder.  The people of D.C. knew what was coming and that was a big storm.  They took shelter but the British didn't.  England gets plenty of rain, but usually without the storm.  And, a big one, as it turns out, was on the way.

--Brock-Perry

The Last Time U.S. Capitol Was Breached Was Over 200 Years Ago

From the January 6, 2021, Guardian "U.S. Capitol's last breach was more than 200 years ago" by Amanda Holpuch.

That horrible scene of idiots running amuck in the Capitol last weekend is still in my mind and it will join the Twin Towers burning on 9/11 and the pictures of the burning and sunken USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.

And the fact that their intent was to disrupt a government function.  Well, just too much.

Not since 1814 has the building been breached like it was Wednesday.

Then, it was by British troops  who set fire to it and other public buildings in Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812.  City residents were aware of the British approach and most had fled by the arrival of those troops.

The Capitol was under construction at the time and while a considerable portion was destroyed by the fire, use of many fireproof materials allowed for the preservation of the exterior and many of the interior rooms.  Still the fire was bad enough that many documents were destroyed, glass lights melted and statues destroyed.

I've written a lot of posts about the burning of Washington, D,C..  Click on the Burning of Washington DC label.

--Brock-Perry