(The columns erected by General Montgomery Meigs in the former Pension Building. Photo Building Museum).

So, Argo told me to try doing it the right way, and he was, of course completely correct. That refers to visiting the two Stones of the Northwest quadrant of the District Boundary, of course. I reserve the right to do things the wrong way as the situation requires.

I was at the office at 901 North Glebe, and I called the main number at the Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant (202-764-2753). I asked if there was someone who could talk to me about seeing the Stones, and I was politely told that Patty was at lunch, but would be happy to call me back when she returned.

I gave the switchboard lady my office number, and went about doing whatever it is I do at the office and was thinking about stepping out for a salad at one of the food carts over at the square by the Ballston Metro Center entrance when the phone rang.

It was Patty- Patty Gamby, specifically- and my interest in NW4 and NW5 did not seem to be a bit strange to her. I asked if I could come by and look for them, and she said that not only could I do that, she could have Hank escort me and the trip would be quick and efficient.

And she would not be wondering about some civilian wandering around the water supply of the Capital of the Free World, either, I thought. Then I called Argo and told him that if he could get away, the Stones would be at our feet on Thursday and two o’clock pm.

That worked out just fine, and we formalized arrangements to rendezvous in front of the Headquarters so we could take the nicest car I will ever own- the Mercedes CLK-500 Hubrismobile- up Fairfax Drive to Rossyln, cross the Potomac on the graceful Key Bridge, and head up MacArthur Boulevard to Little Falls Road and a left hand turn up to the guard post at the gate. I had no idea whether it was going to work or not- but it was certainly better than being arrested while wandering around lost on the grounds of the Reservoir.

I rolled down the driver’s side window, announced to the security guard that we had an appointment with Patty, and were waved in. I parked the car in the visitor’s spot in front, and Patty emerged to tell us that Henry would be along presently. I asked if we could go look at NW4, which is in back of the headquarters building and easy to find. She was happy to let us go.

“This is suspiciously easy,” I said to Argo.

He smiled. “I have found that doing things the right way can add a sense of satisfaction,” he said dryly. “In addition to the benefit of avoiding detention.”

NW4 is a good Stone, BTW, with clear inscription showing the magnetic variation of the monument. We were admiring the handiwork, and I was telling Argo about how badly some of the Stones have treated when a green Ford F150 drove around the building and pulled up near us.

A courtly man in green trousers and khaki short emerged and gave us a brilliant smile as he handed us some Xeroxed sheets that contained an image of a small stone marked “W.A.,” “My name is Henry, and I am a supervisor here at Dalecarlia.” He gestured at our hand-outs, saying “if you are looking for stones,” he said, “You really ought to include these. General Meigs had them placed to mark the path of the aqueduct that provided the public water supply system for the entire capital and parts of the suburbs.”

Henry spoke as if General Meigs had just stepped out for a beer. I glanced over at Argo to see if this was going to be the genesis of another mad quest, but I did not see it resonate. First things first, I thought. We should nail the remaining Stones of the District first.

“You don’t know the impact that General Meigs had on this town. His house is near here- the one he lived in while the pipeline was being constructed. It was authorized by Congress in 1852 with construction commencing in 1853 by the Corps of Engineers. Meigs also was responsible for commissioning Arlington National Cemetery on Robert E. Lee’s estate, and the biggest masonry building ever constructed in the world, the Building Museum.”

“That was the Civil War Pension Building, right?”

Henry nodded. “Yes, and it still features the tallest masonry columns on earth.” He waved us to a green Ford F150 crew cab and we drove up a paved trail that crossed MacArthur Boulevard and up to a gate that led into the reservation.

“I like walking around the thing, looking at the decorative frieze. I think it is all completely unique, and the design doesn’t repeat.”

Henry pulled off the trail and drove up near one of the distinctive DAR cages. NW 5 was nestled in its protective precinct.

(NW5, deep in the woods of the Dalecarlia Reservation).

“General Meigs always thought big,” said Henry, and he built things to last. He was also responsible for building the wings and dome of the US Capitol, and the General Post Office Building. During the Civil War, he was Quartermaster General, and his scrupulously honest conduct provided reliable food, clothing and ammunition to the troops. But his most valuable contribution might have been the Aqueduct, which has provided fresh clean water from the Potomac to the residents of the capital since 1864. The Union Arch Bridge that carries the water over Cabin John Creek was the longest single-span masonry arch in the world for a half century.”

(The Union Arch Bridge across Cabin John Creek).

Argo nodded. “I think he might have been the most influential military officer of his generation, even though the warfighters got all the fame.”

“I think running water is probably a good thing,” I said. “I had no idea it all came right from the Potomac, less than twenty miles away. And it means that the Stones located here on the reservation don’t get much wear and tear.”

“That isn’t going to be true in Anacostia,” said Argo.

Henry drove us back down to the parking lot, and bade us a pleasant afternoon and good hunting on the last of the Stones. I gathered he has seen his share of delusional Stone-seekers in his career.

You really ought to go see him. He is a man who thoroughly enjoys his work, and it was much better getting the tour than getting arrested.

(Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs, USA).

Copyright 2016 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
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