Construction of the South Wing
This early stereograph view shows the construction of the Treasury Building's South Wing in ca. 1858. The design of the building was by Thomas U. Walter. His design was changed Under the various construction engineers but is essentially as was originally planned. Because Walter was unable to supervise any of the work, some unfortunate situations occurred.
In spite of all these problems, the South Wing contains some of the most intricate interior designs in iron freeze work and decorative painting of the early 1860's. Special effort was made to represent each state in Native American agriculture, fauna, commerce, and populace. J. Goldboro Bruff did most of the design work.
The scene in the card shows construction materials immediately in front of the building, presumably for the erection of the south portico and carriage way. The view is rare in that it was not taken by the Treasury's photographer, who typically captured the construction activity, but was taken by a commercial firm, the London Stereoscopic Company. (Gift of the Treasury Historical Association) .