Frederick Law Olmsted SUBJECT FILE Military Buildings and Grounds Jeffersonville Depot Jeffersonville, Ind. 1873-74 & UDJeffersonville Depot of the Quartermaster's Department, Jeffersonville, Ind. Oct. 16, 1873 Fred. Law. Olmsted, Esq. 112 Broadway N.Y. City Dear Sir The laying out and planting of the grounds in the Court yard of this Depot. is I am glad to learn, to be submitted to you. I have laid out and superintended the construction of the roads, drainage, and buildings of the Depot. and have recommended that [a] the grounds be appropriately planted and ornamented. and the Qr. Mr. Genl. has indicated you as the proper authority in the matter.The ground in the courtyard is flat, and for the purposes of perfect surface drainage, uniform in grade, rising from the waterline outside of the main road to the road encircling the Tower building. The road around the Tower building as laid down in the plan which we've submitted to you, is not in accordance with my plan, which contemplated an eliptic form and greater distance from the buildings, so as to admit of suitable planting. The deviation from the original plan was made by the officer in charge here, and in accordance with his idea of the matter. At the road runs now, it is within five (5) feet of the corners of the building and enables one in passing to look right into the silt basins provided for the drainage. The tracing I send you herewith shows this road as originally laid out. I have been home twice since I first came out here, and called at your office each time in hopes to be able to see you but was not fortunate enough to succeed. I owe you much, and am very grateful to you for your kind recommendation of me to [the] General Meigs which recommendation I have tried to deserve. Very Truly Yours James Gall Jr. C.E. Ge. Dept, U.S.C.OWar Department, Quartermaster General's Office Washington D. C. October 28th 1873. Fred L. Olmsted Esq. Landscape Architect and Engineer New York City. Dear Sir: I send a plan of the Jeffersonville Depot of the Quartermaster Department at Jeffersonville, Indiana, a small engraved plan. Also, these photographs on a large scale, which will give you a full representation of the building itself. There is a strip of land outside the Building and surrounding it, which is about 30 feet in width. The building is 801'4" Square outside, and 696 feet square inside. The business roads already constructed, are indicated in the plan. The Court-Yard isis almost absolutely level. It is drained into two pools, which serve as reservoirs. Only one or two trees were upon the site, and they have been preserved. It is proposed to plant the interior and exterior gradually; and as the whole area exceeds 15 acres - 11 1/2 of which are in the Court-Yard, I think it is worth while to have a definite plan laid down by an artist, which, if carefully followed, will in a few years, make the interior creditable and beautiful. I think that the plants should be such as will be healthy in this climate; and in this protected court, that ornamental and useful fruit-trees, and nut-trees should enter largely into the lists. The place will always be under the supervision of Watchmen. The Watchman's station is in /the [right hand page] the tower, where he can see every Store-room door: there are no outside doors, except those under the Office at the main entrance. The planting should, if possible, be so arranged, as not to cut off this view; and for this reason, no trees of tall growth should be placed on the outer limits of the Court-Yard. Please prepare a plan, with lists of proper trees and plants, and forward them to this Office; and return the photographs and plan herewith. Respectfully Your Obed. Serv. J D Brigham Actg. Quartermaster General Ret. Brig Gen'l U.S.A. Note: Plan of Court-Yard and engraved plan of Depot enclosed. Photographs sent by Express to Col. R. O. Tyler, Chf QMr., Cor. Green and Houston Sts., N. Y. City, for delivery.Oct. 28, 1873. Jeffersonville Depot Ind. J. D. BrighamJeffersonville De[pt of the Quartermaster's Department Jeffersonville, Ind. Nov. 7th, 1873 To the Quartermaster General Washington D.C. Sir: I subjoin a list of trees that I find will thrive in this locality from which may be be selected such as are desired for planting the grounds of the depot. Fruit trees and shrubs Apple b Siberian Crab b Currants b c Pear b Wild Cherry b Gooseberries b c Peach a b Persimmon a b Raspberries b c Cherry b Pawpaw b Plum b Apricots do not thrive, but can at any time be engrafted on the Peach or Plum trees Nut trees and shrubs Chestnut a b Butternut a b Pecan a Walnut a b Hickory a b Eng' Walnut a Chincapin a Ornamental trees & shrubs Ash b Sugar Maple b Cypress b Spruce b Norway " f Coffee-tree a b Oak b Red" b Pine b Buckeye a b Silver " f Weeping Willow c Locust Larch (scotch) f Lombardy Poplar c Beech b Laurel b Juniper carborvitae c Mountain ash b Dogwood b Sweet Gum b Redbud b Roses bc Vines Bitter sweet b d Virginia Trumpet-creeper b d Madeira Vine b d " Ivy b d Balsam apple c Grapes c Of these such as are marked "a" have already been planted this fall with such seeds as have been attainable. Those marked "b" can be readily procured and transplanted, and most of them without expense. I think the Pecan can be safely transplanted and recommend that some officer in Texas be instructed to take up some young trees and ship them here, with some earth about their roots. Those of the lists marked "c" can be propagated by cuttings. Those marked "d" from roots, and those marked "e" from seeds planted annually, and those marked "f" from seeds to be procured at seedstores. It is highly important that the plan should be determined on at an early day, that the work of transplanting may be done during the winter. Very respectfully, Yr obt svt JGC Lee Capt AQM Brt Lt Col usa[*5389 [gueivo?] - 1875*] [*C.C. -*] Jeffersonville. Ind Nov. 7, 1873 (File with 5230 of '73) Lee Capt J. G. C 5230 of 73 Submits a list of trees and shrubbery that will thrive in that locality, from which may be selected such as are desired for planting the grounds of that Depot. [*Dec. 2 Mr. G.O. Arv 12/75*] Gen Brigham says Keep for Gen Miegs Refer to Mr Clursted Nrc 16 Nv 1874Jeffersonville Depot of the Quartermaster's Department Jeffersonville, Ind. Jany 26th 1874 To the Quartermaster General United States army Washington D.C. Sir: as the season for transplanting trees is fast passing away, and it being doubtful whether the plans will be prepared soon enough for use during the present season, I suggest, that if possible some determination be reached whereby I may be enabled to set out the trees already secured, which consist of some 50 young Pecan trees from Texas, abundance of cypress trees besides cuttings from Lobardy Poplars and willows. The next trees should, of course, go in the count, and I have greatly desiredto place some hickory, walnut, butternut, buckeye, maple and other trees already selected there this winter, besides such plants from the nursery as may be ready for setting out the coming spring and summer. I have supposed that the arrangement of the grounds will, in any case, embrace diagonal passage ways for at least carts and persons, and if so, something like the enclosed sketch would probably be the basis. If so, these nut trees and a few shade trees could be at once set out, care being observed to leave plenty of room for walks &c. If this be approved, I would further ask authority to set, at intervals of, say fifty feet, along the centre roadways, some nice young maple trees. On the outer roadways of the court, I suppose no large tress of any kind will be planted, as they would obstruct the view of the buildings from the watch tower, as well as prevent the rays of the sun from direct action on the inner parts of the storehouses. Along the outer or fence line, of the reservation, I propose, if it meet with your approval, to plant at intervals of forty feet, young maple trees, with midway between Lombardy poplars, the cuttings for which and some trees, are already procured. At each corner, and about the outer silt-basins, I suggest that Cypress tress be placed. As these can be procured easily another winter, it makes not much difference as to their loss, but I would be glad if the pecan trees, now on the way could be set out on arrival, and the few maple[*533 QMGO 1874*] Lee, J. G. C. Capt. & A. [?].[?] Jeffersonville, Ind. January 26, 1874 Makes recommendations and asks instructions relative to planting trees in the Court yard at the Depot Our Enclosures [*(File with 5230 of 1873)*] [*5230-73*] [*91*] RECEIVED OFFICE DEPOT QUARTERMASTER JAN 29 74 L. 211.10. - Jeffersonville, Ind. [*Rec'd Q.M.G.O. Feby 2 74*] 1st Endorsement Jeffersonville Depôt of the Quartermaster's Department Jeffersonville, Ind., Jany 29/74. Respectfully transmitted to the Quartermaster General of the Army James A. Ekin Deputy Qr Mst General, usa In charge of Depôt Respectfully forwarded to Mr. Olmstead and Attny Kendall 16 Mar 1874 M C Meigs [?]4 trees suggested, during the present winter. Very respectfully Yr obt svt J.G.C. Lee Capt. A [?] Through Lt. Col. James A. Elkin Deputy Q.M. Genl. U.S.A In charge of depotJeffersonville comp report 1873-74War Department, Quartermaster General’s Office, Washington, D. C., Feby 16th 1874. Fred. Law Olmstead Esqr; No. 209 West 46th St. New York City, Dear Sir: Your note of 4th Nov. was reviewed at this Office after I left the City for a tour extending to Puget Sound, and seems to have remained unanswered till my return. The letter of this Office of 28th October, was prepared by myself, though signed and sent, after I left the City. I sent you a large map of the grounds, a tracing, showing the roads already constructed, and their relation to the buildings. 1st. The height of the floor of the Watchman's room in the tower, is 1.8 feet above the Court-yard. 2d.2. The space between the roads is not now used for any work. In case of a great war, and great activity in the military service, all this space would probably be occupied with wagons, sheds for work-shops, or piles of military material which could bear exposure in the open air, or in sheds; but in that case supreme necessity would oblige us to remove [wether] all trees in the way, and all other incumbrances. In the many years of peace, however, it is proper to plant the grounds, so as to to present an agreeable appearance. 3. The soil is a clayey loam, originally a prairie. The surface sod has been used in the [process] work of grading to the best advantage, and the surface has been ploughed and enriched. It is a soil of fair productiveness. As in building the reservoir, a pond, which we intended to hold six feet of water, there has been some difficulty in keeping the water at its proper level. I conclude that the subsoil is not very impervious to water. 4th. The tracing inclosed in letter of Oct. 28. 1873, shows the general general plan of Court-yard, business roads and manner of drainage. The ground is almost - absolutely level, and is drained by gutters and 6", increasing to 12" drain-pipes, into 2 pools, which serve as reservoirs. 5th. The care of the grounds will fall hereafter to the Officer who may be in charge, assisted by the Watchman and workmen employed at the Depôt, at such time as they can be spared from their more regular and imperative duties. The planting should be arranged not to require hereafter the labor of skilled gardeners. Permit me to suggest that it is important that there be not such dense foliage and shade, as to incur danger from dampness. The whole is a vast store-house, to keep clothing and other mil. supplies and the object is, without injury to its ventilation and dryness, and fitness for this use, to embellish the now bare Court-yard, so as to be pleasant to the eye. I enclose various papers on the subject I am, Very Respectully, Your obed't Sert, M. C. [???gs] Quartermaster General Bvt. Maj. Genl USA. [*5230 of 1873 5389 of " 1 Encl 533 of 1874 2 Encl 3 Encl*]209 W. 46th St. New York, Feb. 23d, 1874 [*Draft (much amended & condensed)*] Maj. Gen. Mr. C. Meigs , Q. M. G. Dear Sir, Returning to New York on Saturday I found your letter of 16th st. with its enclosures: I will write you as soon as practicable in regard to a design for planting the Jeffersonville Depot. Captain Lee's letter suggested the following observations; my experience leads me to believe that time would be lost and the ultimate result be much less satisfactory if the trees should be planted this winter as he proposes. I should recommendinstead that a nursery should be formed in that part of the ground best adapted to the purpose in which from fifty to a hundred percent more plants of each variety than are expected to be required should be planted and cultivated for a year or more. Trees obtained at this season of the year or indeed at any time, whether from Texas or the neighborhood, should at first be "laid in by the heels," i.e. set in an inclined position, closely in rows and their roots covered. Nine should be planted out in nursery rows where the ground is in good order in the spring. Before planting in the nursery the roots of each tree should be examined and all bruised, broken or split parts cut off with a sharp knife. The nursery ground should be kept clear of winds occuring this summer and in any dry months should be covered ("mulched") with a coat two or three inches deep of litter, straw, hay or leaves, as soon as the leaves begin generally to fall in the autumn, the more thrifty trees can be selected and transplanted and this process continue whenever the weather is favorable until the leaves begin to start in the spring, even tree living but a short time out of ground and planted with deliberate care and under the most favorable circumstances, trees that are not evidently in thrifty condition, (which have not made a fair growth during the summer which under missing treat- meant), should not be finally transplanted until the second year and it will be better if all get two years of the nursing.If set in their final places at once, as they arrive from the fields and woods or seed beds, as Captain Lee proposes; with careful treatment a large majority may live but their growth will probably be slow and not a few will be irredeemably stunted and unhealthy. No trees should be planted n permanent positions which have not a thick growth of fibrous roots or the roots of which do not appear sappy and in all respects healthy, after trial in nursery. Therefore this nursery should contain many more trees than are expected to be planted in it. Yours respectfully FredLawOlmsted 1873-1874 Jeffersonville, Depot. Ind. Describing PlansFort Smith, Ark, March 4th 1874 Mr Fred. Law Olmsted New York City My Dear Sir Your kind letter of the 20th of January last, after following me nearly all through the Southern States, has reached me at this place. I am glad to hear that General Meigs has requested you to prepare a plan for planting the grounds at the Jeffersonville Depot, as, if the matter were left to the discretion of the officer in charge of the buildings, I am sure the result would be farfrom satisfactory. I saw General Meigs recently who told me that he had sent you all the necessary data in regard to the grounds buildings & including photographs of the Tower and warehouse, and a general plan of the grounds. If not too late, the following items may be of service to you: The buildings - 50 feet wide and 30 feet high - enclose a square of nearly 700 feet, in the centre of which stands the water tower, which is 100 feet high, and has a building at its base 67 feet square and 200 feet high. Next the inner side of the warehouses is a road- way, 30 feet wide laid with stone and gravel and thoroughly rolled, and well provided with under and surface drainage. The grounds outside the road are thoroughly drained with pipes, and are graded with a gentle slope from the base of the tower building to a water line 10 feet from the road, when the surface drainage is caught in silt basins and conveyed in pipes to the reservoirs. The warehouses are not ventilated otherwise than by leaving the doors open (they have doors only on one side) and the stones are in consequence liable to be damp, for which reason it seems to me that the planting should be so arranged as not to excludethe air and sunlight from the buildings. However, General Meigs has probably explained all this to you already. If there is any other information that I can give you in regard to the matter, I shall be glad to be of use to you. The roads and grounds were all prepared under my immediate direction, so that I am familiar with all the details. I am going from here to Memphis Tenn, where I expect to be stationed for some time. Very truly yours James Gall?206W. 46th St. New York May 14th, 1874 Major General M. C. Meigs Q.M.G. Dir; I herewith send you a deign for completing the court and extension ground of the Jeffersonville Depot of your Department. Any condition required and every suggestion which I have received from you and the officers of the Department, is I believe complied with. The subdivision of the Court is similar in motive to and [rather] more convenient and symmetrical Than that suggested by Col. Lee. The trees within the Court are all nut and fruit trees and the shrubs are in part [only] fruit bearing. The trees are so arranged there [ther] when they are full grown the watchman in the tower will have every door of the stores under observation. In case of necessity in the occurrence of war, all the outer part of the Court may be occupied for storage with the extent of three quarters of its entire area without impediment from or injury to the important trees; the small & rapidly growing fruit trees & shrubs only being received, and ample space for the movement of wagons being left between the larger & more valuable trees - The planting is so arranged that when the [stock is] trees are well grown [it] they will form a [pyramid] cone shaped mass of verdure, [complete in its base to the ground and] with the top of the tower at its apex. The [trunks of the trees and the lower The satisfaction to the expected from the arrangement [is] will depend [chiefly on] entirely on the completeness with which the plan is executed -- with a view to the health & perfection of growth of the trees and the consistent neatness of the whole establishment. This [maintenance of] will, it is believed, be easily secured with such means, as after a few years of preparation, the officer in command will at all times be able to control. To avoid an excessive shading of the building and to secure an effect of complete arrangement in the outer planting it is proposed that the government property should be divided from the street only by a light rail or by posts & chains -- and that the wall, or stronger fence presumed to be required, should be placed five feet within this outer line. [This will leave the effect of surrounding the enclosure [depot]]By this arrangement the Depot may be [enclosed] bordered [in all sides by with] as proposed in the drawing, with [with] a wall of considerably more dignity than an ordinary side walk. The trees of each double line should be of the same species and variety but each of the four double lines may be of a different species, as one of the Elm, (American), one of [Sime?] (American),, one of Maple, (Sugar or Scarlet) and one of Tulip. Or for either of the above, English elm, Norway Maple or Sycamore Maple may be substituted if found more practicable. In the detailed planting plan for the court varieties of the several [kind?] as of fruit trees are not named as it will be easy for the Officer in charge to obtain [advice] information of the results of local experience which would outweigh any advice [which] that, with out such special information [knowledge], I could give. He will also be better able to judge than I of the [best] most desireable proportions of early and late bearing kinds. I would repeat the advice offered in a previous communication to you that all trees designed to be planted [on the ground] should be first planted [in] with considerable excess of numbers in nursery on the ground; that the process of transplanting to their final position should be conducted with great care and deliberation, and no tree [planted] set except under favorable circumstances, the work being continued if necessary through several planting seasons. X X Particular [cantrin?] may be necessary to prevent the trees from being planted at too great a depth. The swell of the roots (or "collar" of the tree) should be above the The whole ground both where planted and where [designed to be] not planted should be trenched three spits deep and heavily manured. [If this is too costly it may be subsoil or trench plowed.] It will be much better that this work should be done a season in advance of the planting so that the subsoil may be reconsolidated and the manure well incorporated. That portion of the ground not to be planted should be treated in the same way, [a a deep rich] a soil rich at considerable depth from the surface being particularly desireable to avoid the bad effects of drought. It should be brought to a fine surface [tillth?] and [sowed] sown with two bushels of red top and one of white clover seed to the acre.If Kentucky Blue Grass is indiginous in the neighorhood it may be substituted for one half the quantity of red top. [Great] Care should be taken to [obtain] secure fresh seed. The ground should be rolled and, as soon as the grass is generally two inches above ground, mowed. If any irregular in growth the first mowing may need to be by hand. Afterwards it should be mown with a lawn mower once a fortnight or oftener except in in periods of severe drought, and frequently rolled until a firm close velvety sod is established. If to follow all the above advice would be too expensive [let the shrub and small fruit be dispensed with, substitute] plowing with a subsoil plow, or trench plowing [one] (plowing twice or thrice in the same furrow) or both may be substituted for hand trenching; [let] the shrub and [small fruit berry fruit bush berry shr] berry bushes may be dispensed with; [the ground may] the turf may then be kept by pasturing it closely withsheep instead of by frequent mowing and rolling. If mere [obvious] display in decoration is desired [let] ornamental perrenial flowering plants may be set in the edge of the shrub plantations. The borders of the walks may be planted with [standard] roses and other flowering shrubs grown as standards. [This will add] Either of these additions to the plan will however add much to the difficulty and cost of maintaining a high character [standard] of neatness and elegance. [in the court] which should be regarded as a matter of the first importance. P.S. The photographs have been returned as requested to Quarter Master's Office, New York. The plans are sent by Express.correspondence Plan Planting Plan & draft of Report in Jeffersonville Depot U.S.A. A/ 1874 May 14 Jeffersonville Ind. Depot. Planting Plan for Trees in courts arranged to cluster around tower without obstruction view of doors of bldgs. Nut & fruit trees Direction for fixing soil. VIWashington D.C. U.S.A. Gen J D. Bingham A. Quartermaster General Nov 5th Dear Sir I have received your communication of the 28th ulto. asking me to prepare a plan for the planting of the Dêpot of the Quartermasters Department at Jeffersonville Indiana with a small [gra] engraved general plan enclosed. I have also received the photographs referred to in your letter. 2 [In the ground within the court between the] Are the spaces between the wheelways intended or is it likely that they may [be] at any time in the future be required to be occupied for any practical purpose? (As, for example, the spreading & drying of any stores, or [of for] the drilling mustering [and] or camping of men [for] or the parking of wagons.) 3. What is the character of the soil & subsoil. 4. Is it thorough drained, naturally or artificially? 5. How are the grounds likely to be managed and kept. (Under the [car] superintendance of a skilled gardiner with the labor of enlisted men?) Respectfully Your obedient servant Fred Law Olmsted.[Business [?]] QMD ¶ I accept the Commission with pleasure but assume that you do not expect the plan in time to be of use the present planting season. ¶ I should be glad to be advised on certain points as follows: ¶ [First] 1 [st] What is the [height] elevation of the watchman window above the grounds? Judging from the sketch it must be considerably below the height to which all trees even of the second class in magnitude are likely to grow, in which case, under your instruction [would exclude from the proposed plantation all but] third sized trees even immediately about the tower should be excluded.