Frederick Law Olmsted Subject File Parks Baltimore, Md. 1877 2New York, Monday, 29th Jany 1877. T.M. Lanahan Esq. Chairman of Commission Dear Sir, I have received your favor of 26th inst, and the plans to which you refer, brought to my house on Saturday by Commissioner Garrett, unfortunately in my absence. This plan could not in my opinion be carried out in suitable materials and with suitable workmanship for [a] the sum named. There are objections to the design which [it] I presume it is not necessary that I should point out. I can not recommend its [ad] adoption. I am exceedingly sorry that you can not [adopt] accept the suggestion which I made to you. I will as soon as possible study out such a plan as you call for. I am disposed to think [however] that if you could be satisfied to keep the [grou] grounds closed, as heretofore, you [could] might obtain a [more satisfactory result at half the money.] better result at half the cost that such a plan will involve. [In short I][Except] Indeed, except for faults of detail easily remedied, I [think] regard the present plan a better one than any that can be substituted for it within your limit of expense.Except for faults of detail easily remedied, I like the present plan T.M. Lanahan Baltimore 29th Jan. 1877 Monday. 5th July 1877 T.M. Lanahan Esq Chairman of Commission Sir, It was not practicable to send the studies by mail as intended. They are therefore [?ayed] to go by Express to day. The grounds could be improved according to these plans with fitting and substantive work throughout for $18000, the south ground, in which there would be much heavier stone work, for [$10] $11,000, the North ground for [$8000] $7,000.You will observe that the exterior wall which I had spoken of as desirable is omitted and that I have assumed that a curb could be set on what is now the line of the middle of the [gutter] street gutter, adding about 18 inches to the breadth of the grounds on each side. The object of this is to save the [expense] injury to the trees and the expense which would attend their removal. They can not long remain as at present. Before making working plans I shall need to have the position ofthe trees and [more] other measurements. [and as soon as possible] If you approve [then] the general design of these studies I will as soon as I can after hearing from you send [on my] on an assistant for this purpose.Lanahan, Baltimore 5 Feb. '77 [*T.M. Lanahan 10 Feb. 1877*] 10th Feb 1877 Dear Sir, I have received on returning to the city yours of 7th inst The working plans will be begun on Monday and in a day or two I will send my assistant to examine the ground. I will be obliged to you if you will employ a man on Monday, or the first fair day to dig four test pits, 3 ft. deep-[large] mere post holes-by which the character of the soil and subsoil may be seen. One about 20 yards from each end of each ground. I meant to have said in my last note to you that I did not include in my estimate any water pipes or fountain arrangement except a basin of brick and cement with a plan stone coping. I thought it probable that no satisfactory arrangement could be made until your new water system was complete and that a suitable fountain could then be obtained by [finish?] subscription or other wise. Please inform me if the suggestion of shifting the street curb would be impracticable. I will bear in mind your wish as to constructing the work and try to make an arrangement accordingly. Very repy your oblt servt 9th March 1877. T.M. Lanahan E. Charim of Commission I have had plans drawn out in sufficient detail to obtain estimates from Mr. Bogart (the public engineer of whom I spoke to you) but according to his calculations [from him today] the work would cost all told about $22000. To bring it within [your down to] your limit I must use less stone and plainer and thinner very much than I had hoped to be able to, must omit some minor features and come down to a common formof lamp, etc. This I expect to do, [but] at the same time I write to ask whether you can not in some way a little enlarge your limit? If you could by subscription or other wise add from two to four thousand dollars, the result would be much more satisfactory. In our plans we assume that there are gas mains which can be tapped at any point in each side the parks. Also thru the foundation stone of the fences and the brick of the side walks will remain & |overcan be used [in the impro] (under ground) in the new work. Please let me know if this is wrong. [*T.M. Lanahan Baltimore 9 March. 1877. Bogarts estimate above limit.*] [?] Lanahan. 14th March 1877 Dear Sir, I have recd yours of yesterday & am very glad to have the enlarged allowance of which it advises me. I do not care to keep the cut granite base of the fence but shall be glad if you can arrange with the Druid Hill Commissioners to supply you with an equivalent value of rough stone for foundations and concrete. My plans are now drawn and [all] details arranged in the understanding that the trees in the south side of the monument (the South Park) are to be removed [all others retained when they are.] A large proportion of these trees are too unsound to be worth preserving and I am confident that the roots being broken so badly as they seem must be it is better to begin anew with foliage fully adapted to the design.The trees in the South park are with few exceptions sized to be retained. I am sorry to trouble you again with a matter of detail but find it is necessary to know whether the [cost of laying gas pipe will be a charge in your Commission & must provided or is other wise funded for] laying of gas pipes must be included in our contracts or is to be [?] by the gas company or if it is otherwise funded for so as not to be a charge upon yourfund? If we are to lay the pipes and pay for them, I need to know whether or not there are gas mains running through the Washington Place in each side of the parks and if so, at what distance they lie from the curbstone adjoining the parks. [* T. M. Lanahan Baltimore 14 March. 1877 Gas pipes.*] Thos. M. Lanahan Esq Chairm of Commission; 30th March 1877. Dear Sir, I am in receipt of letters from you and from Mr Garret indicating a wish that the plans may be laid before your Board as fully as possible [on] next Monday. I shall send by Express sheets numbered 1, 2, 3, 3a, 4 & 5. These include all the drawings which will be required for the work except some full size details. [are then all required except that all that will be required] I also send specifications. [for the stone work. The grounds specifications are with the Mr. Bogart who is in Phila. If possible I will get these also to you on Thursday.] [I submit all] These are all new submitted for your official approval. I do not recommend you [propose] to construct the end walls until the work is a little advanced and all contingincies of expenses are beyond question [can be surely seen.] Whatever is [to spare] finally found practicable given to these walls.I hope to conclude a favorable contract for all other work in accordance with your wishes as soon as bids can be obtained from Baltimore for the stone cutting. I suggest that you advise such stone cutters as you may select X that plans and specifications will be ready at -- for their examination on Tuesday [next] and Wednesday next and that bids will be recd from them on Thursday for the work indicated. The two sheets of plans to be shown them will be distinctly marked and the specifications [are go with them] will be sent apart from others. Please let me know [as soon as p] the result as soon as possible. Yours resptfly Hugh Sisson--Emery, Garret & Son, Oliver & Son, & Sullivan & Pert have been consulted.[*Thos Lanahan Baltimore 30th March/77 Sends plans*] I propose to contract 26th April 1877. T. M. Lanahan Esq. Chair &c. Dear Sir-I have just recd your message through Mr Garrett of yesterday. All your work is advancing precisely as rapidly as possible consistently with prudence. After having the returns from your stone cutters, I sent the specifications as you suggested that I should to stone cutters here [I have had] Two bids have come in from them and I am waiting for a third. I have made some alternative propositions with a view to reducing thecost of this part of the work and as soon as a [decision] conclusion is reached shall advise you. I think it will be best to give your stone cutters another opportunity but of that you shall judge. I have an offer in writing from Mr Bogart which enables me to close a contract with him whenever desirable. It will be necessary to recompose the general specifications which [between us] has [unfortunately] been lost and of which I unfortunately [I had no time to take a complete copy had no complete] there was no time to take a complete copy. I rolled it myself [into] in with the general drawings and at the same time the stone cutters specif. in with the stone cutters drawings and gave [them] both parcels to my son to send to you. [He thinks that he did so] He supposed that he had sent them as I gave them to him and as nothing has since been seen of the papers here, I had supposed that he was right. X I observe that one your stone cutters was allowed to examine the general drawings and was confused by them. His bid is consequently informal and inaccurate. Nothing whatever but the satisfaction of popular impatience is to be gained [by but] and expense would necessarily be increased by starting any of the work in the groundearlier than is necessary to reach a certain stage in the grading by the time the stone [cutter's] [lugers?] to be supplied by the cutters. The heavier and more tedious part of the work is not to be done on the ground but in the stonecutters shops. All the expedients and precautions I am now taking are costly to me but [economical] saving to you. I regret the clamor you speak of but it is what must always be endured when public work of this kind is to be well and economically done. It is better to take it now than after the work is done and the bills come in.T. M. Lanahan 26 April 1877 26 April 1877 Lanahan Baltimore Wash. Sq. stone work Mr Lanahan 26th April 1877 28th April/77 Mr Lanahan; Dear Sir; I send you by Express the stone cutters' drawings and specifications. I enclose [also] a schedule of all bids received. Garrett & Sons included in their proposals work at the ends which others did not & which was not intended [which I proposed to reserve making] to be included making a reasonable allowance for this, their bid for the remainder would seem to be a little the lowest. [est.] But all [the bids being] the bids being [still] above the mark, I have proposed to see what can be gained by substituting other stone for Blue stone in part of the work, and Isuggest that you now ask Garrett & Sons to correct the original bid and also t bid on the variations of stone indicated on the leaf laid over the original specifications. [If you do not think this desirable or object to the] If you object to the short delay that this will probably cause you can at once telegraph me to close with the lowest bidder here. Or if you prefer, [all the other Balto. bidders] other Baltimore contractors can be invited to bid [on the supplemental specifications.] The bidders should state what time they require to complete their work. Those here would be ready to begin delivery in three weeks and complete in six to seven. [The contractors here would agree to would begin delivering stone here in three in a month and complete their work in weeks and to complete in six weeks from date of contract. six weeks from starting] [Garrett & Sons should understand that for the north] Bidders should understand from the sheet now placed over the original specifications that for all of the work of the north park and for all steps for both parks either blue or Cheat Rim stone is wanted [and] and that this part of the work is to be delivered [by] on the ground by the stone cutters but to be set by the general contractor. All the work except the steps of the south park is to be either[to be either] in Ohio, Brown, [or] Cheat rim or Blue stone the latter (Bluestone) to be fine axed the others finished according to the original specification all the steps and the top of the edging in north park to be rubbed. All this remaining work is to be delivered and set by the stone cutter not set by the General Contractor. [Of course they are not ? to estimate in to cover work not shown on the stone cutters drawings. T. M. Lanahan Baltimore 28 April 1877. Stone cutters bids. 14 May. 1877. T.M. Lanahan Esq Chairman; Dear Sir; Everything is arranged except a few formalities upon which you must be consulted. For that purpose I propose [that Mr Misidell] a meeting of Mr Misidill, Mr Bogart & Mr Galt at your office at any hour on Thursday [you] that will suit you-ten o'clock A.M. if we do not hear from you. I should say tomorrow but Mr Galt wishes to have another day here T.M. Lanahan Esq. 14 May 1877. [John?] Lanahan 14 May/77 Dear Sir, Galt & Sons appeared to me to have contemplated making a claim upon you for the contract on the ground that in the first competitive their bid was the least. With this in view they were not disposed to consider very closely [l?] larger an abatement could be made from this bid on account of throwing out the [ex] end walls. Finding that they were standing off and learning that they intended to call on you IPS. I am informed that it will be very desirable to have complete copies of the Report in the hands of the Commissioners at meeting on Friday. I have all the Bills from School of [N?] & for such incidental expenses as I have variously incurred. I will leave them with Mr. Richardson for auditing &c. improvements, & that Castleton is not to be taxed or the County to issue Bond for such work--except so far as relates to the water supply. The Bill is so fairly & precisely drawn that if the people prove only able to read it with an accompanying note on the practical operation of the drainage works, the Improvement Bonds & the assessments for costs to properties, theT. M. Lanahan Baltimore 14 May 1877 telegraphed 31st July 1877 Mr Lanahan Dear Sir Yours of yesterday I received this morning as I was almost leaving Washington. Mr Bogart probably a better [?] understand what I said. I think it possible you are right about the kerb, not trusting my own eyes in the present condition of things. If you are [right] the change required is slight. I presume and can be made as well later as now. As it is a matter of rather nice adjustmentI prefer not to decide upon it until I see other things adjoining a little more in place and the gutter and pavement clear. I am still inclined to think that [you will be better pleased with it as it is] when you realize the complete arrangement you will be satisfied to leave the kerb as it is.T.M. Lanahan 31 July 1877 31st July 1877 Mr Bogart. Dear Sir; Please consider whether [whether] the kerb at the North end of the north park could be raised sufficiently to surely prevent the effect Mr Lanahan imagines and dreads, [which] (I suppose 2 inches would answer) without making necessary a rearrangement of the step and other stone work on the higher side of the side walk.to not hasten the grading of the turfed ground of north park. When convenient make the local adjustments that I directed (which will carry a little out from the contract to the newer parts of the side bids) but leave the surface enough, and after the walls are laid I will direct the detail of finish.Bogart 31 July 1877. IV Balt. B. sts. N. Y. July 31, 1877. F.L.O. Sr., to Mrs. F. L. O. Dear Mary: Being detained in Baltimore by the irregularity of the trains, I visited Druid Hill. The scenery is very park-like, the trees, charming, the work atrociously bad, so bad that I could do nothing with it. It is hopeless. Every bit of work done has been with ingeniously bad intention.N.Y. 27th Dec. 1877. T.M. Lanahan Esq. Chrm Dear Sir, I expect to sail for Europe on the 8th Janry and soon after my arrival to purchase a stock of shrubs for planting the Washington Place Parks. [I shall at the same purchase shrubs for the capitol grounds Washington] It will be necessary to arrange for passing them through the custom house as soon as practicable after their arrival. I suggest that [they they should be consigned to the care of Robert Garrett & Sons] they should be shipped by the Balto steamers from Southhampton and consigned to the care of R. Garrett & Sons. Upon this point please instruct me. I shall at the same time send a lot of shrubs for the Capitol grounds, Washington. If you approve of the above [arran] proposition be good eno' to [request] ask from me [that if ? if] if Mess Garrett & Sons will do me the favor to attend to the transhipment of the Washington lot also.I expect to return before it will be time to plant the shrubs but to provide against my possible failure to do so I have arranged with and given full plans and instructions to Mr. O.C. Bullard for the planting. Mr Bullard was my superintendent of planting on Brooklyn Park and on the Capitol grounds.No 3 To/ T M Lanahan 27 Dec 77. Statement of Work as Contracted for and to be done $8,350 Mr Bogarts original Contract 20 Extra on haulage cramps for steps &c 250 Extra on act of time 4,932 Stonework set complete _______ $13,552 1,500 Lamp post 2,500 Stonework & setting 2,000 Superintendence 448 Planting &c ________ $20,000 Total Amt[detail drawing] (No 1) N.Y. 27th Dec. 1877 T.M. Lanahan Esq Chairman of Commission; I [herewith] present the following statements with respect to the Washington Place Parks: 1st A statement of expenditures made and incurred, amounting to $19,134.70 with vouchers for the same, except for such payments as have been made by you on certificates now in your hands. 2d. A [classified] statement showing how the above cutting has been distributed among various items of the work. 3d. [classified] A statement of the cost of different items of the work with reference [to vouchers] to contracts and vouchers. Respy F.L.O. L.A.[T.M. Lanahan 27 Dec. 77. An additional cutting not to exceed $100 [dollars] is to be anticipated for the transportation and setting painting and gilding of iron work [and] lamps and fountains. The parks are expected to be planted next year at an expense not exceeding $500-to be met [by] from your annual appropriations. Respy F.L.O. L.A.] No. 1 N.Y. 27th Dec. 1877. T.M. Lanahan Esp. Chairman of Commission. Dear Sir; My undertaking in the matter of your parks was that, leaving out the fountain, an cutting of $20,000 should be sufficient to carry out the plans I would propose to you. I think that, as I have verbally explained to you, in certain matters in which you have overruled or supplemented my arrangements an expenditure has been incurred amounting to about $400 for which I am not accountable. Deducting this amount together with that allowed for the fountain from the total of$19,134.70 there remains $18,309.70, leaving a margin of $1,690.30. Under the circumstances I think it right to submit to you a bill of $1500 for my personal remuneration, leaving $190 for painting iron work, and contingencies. I assume under your advice that the cost to be met next spring for planting can be defrayed from you annual appropriation. No. 2 To T.M. Lanahan 27 Dec. 77.