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103-685: The Main Navy and Munitions Buildings were constructed in 1918 along Constitution Avenue (then known as B Street) on Washington, D.C.'s National Mall (Potomac Park) as the largest of a set of temporary war buildings on the National Mall . Both buildings were constructed by the Navy's Bureau of Yards and Docks , with the United States Department of War occupying the Munitions Building. To make

206-524: A traffic circle around the Lincoln Memorial to accommodate the bridge, B Street approach, parkway approach, and Ohio Drive SW approach. The AMBC was dissatisfied with Kendall's design, however, and ordered a major restudy of the B Street connection in December 1926. In May 1927, Kendall presented a revised design for the B Street approach to the Lincoln Memorial traffic circle. The NCPC, concerned with

309-616: A Navy Annex building located at New York Avenue and 18th Street, and the United States Coast Guard relocated from the Munsey Building. The Navy Department Library was relocated to the Main Navy building in 1923. From 1926 to 1941, a small reinforced concrete roof penthouse on the Main Navy building was used for radio and communication intercepts training. The Main Navy and Munitions Buildings were disliked by many as going against

412-457: A difficult decision about how to link the two sections of Constitution Avenue NW between 3rd and 6th Streets NW remained. Pennsylvania Avenue NW cut diagonally northwest-to-southeast through these three city blocks, and it was not readily apparent how to handle the crossing so that Constitution Avenue traffic could turn right and left from either direction. The section of the roadway between 6th and 14th Streets NW also remained to be widened. But with

515-667: A plan carried out in 1970. The land was then reclaimed and turned into Constitution Gardens , with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial built near the former Munitions Building site in the early 1980s. Constructing the Munitions and Main Navy Buildings was an idea conceived by Franklin D. Roosevelt , then the Assistant Secretary of the Navy , who put forth the idea to President Woodrow Wilson . Roosevelt originally suggested

618-508: A serious congestion of the railroad system in the winter of 1917–18. By that time shortages in clothing, hospital equipment, and other supplies were causing hardships in Army camps, and it was charged by some that the lack of adequate clothing and shelter was responsible for an epidemic of pneumonia sweeping through the camps. General Sharpe was held responsible by many for a large share of the supply crisis that had developed. These developments stirred

721-706: A temporary building be placed on the Ellipse , but President Wilson disliked the idea of a building on the White House 's front lawn. Thus, Roosevelt suggested placing the buildings on the National Mall (Potomac Park) along B Street (renamed Constitution Avenue in 1931), near the Lincoln Memorial . Roosevelt wanted them to be ugly wooden buildings, so people would want to tear them down immediately after World War I . However, concrete and steel materials were recommended to make

824-745: A widespread uneasiness that led to a Congressional hearing on the conduct of the war. In the end the General Staff took complete control of supplies and the Office of the Director of Purchase and Storage in the Purchase, Storage, and Traffic Division was erected on the foundation of the Quartermaster Corps. On December 15, 1917, a War Council was formed (as distinct from the Council of National Defense ) consisting of

927-455: A wood frame building, Congress accepted the proposal for concrete buildings and approved the funds for the project in March 1918. The task of design and construction of the buildings was given to the Navy's Bureau of Yards and Docks , and the buildings were completed in 5 1 ⁄ 2 months. The primary designer of the buildings was Lieutenant Commander Frederic W. Southworth , chief architect of

1030-473: Is bounded by Louisiana Avenue NW, Columbus Circle , 1st Street NE, and Constitution Avenue NE/NW, was home to several dilapidated office buildings and hotels. But beginning in 1910, Congress started to acquire entire city blocks in this area, with the intent of building an underground parking garage and creating a park between the Capitol and Washington Union Station , which opened in 1908. The question confronting

1133-541: Is the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge ; thus, Constitution Avenue connects the city's ceremonial core with Interstate 66 . The eastern terminus is at 21st Street NE, just west of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium . Through traffic is diverted via North Carolina Avenue NE and C Street NE to the Whitney Young Memorial Bridge . Between Louisiana Avenue and Interstate 66, Constitution Avenue is part of

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1236-807: The Bureau of Yards and Docks , Bureau of Ordnance , Bureau of Medicine and Surgery , the Secretary of Navy 's offices, along with Naval Operations, and the Compensation Board. Later, other Navy Offices moved into Main Navy, including the Dispensary , the Navy Red Cross, Examining Board, and Retiring Board, previously housed in Corcoran Courts, an apartment building converted into offices. The Hydrographic Office and United States Marine Corps moved to Main Navy from

1339-530: The Chief of Staff of the United States Army Tasker H. Bliss , the Secretary of War Newton D. Baker , his Assistant and some subordinates amongst whom were Quartermaster General Henry Granville Sharpe and Chief of Ordnance William Crozier . The War Council was to oversee and coordinate all matters of supply and to plan for the more effective use of the military power of the nation. While serving on

1442-499: The Department of Commerce , Department of Justice , Environmental Protection Agency , Federal Trade Commission , Internal Revenue Service , and National Archives . The Embassy of Canada and John Marshall Park are located further east of Federal Triangle. Once past Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Courthouse , George Gordon Meade Memorial , and Department of Labor headquarters, and Senate Park border

1545-652: The Department of the Interior , and the Organization of American States . The Ellipse , part of the grounds of the President's Park (which includes the White House), also borders the north side of Constitution Avenue NW and forms the boundary between the western and eastern segments of this part of the street. To the east on the north side is Federal Triangle , which contains the headquarters of many federal agencies. These include

1648-696: The Great Depression worsening, highway construction funds were minimal. Franklin D. Roosevelt took office as President of the United States in March 1933. Convinced that massive federal spending on public works was essential not only to "prime the pump" of the economy but also to cut unemployment, Roosevelt proposed passage of the National Industrial Recovery Act . The act contained $ 6 billion in public works spending, which included $ 400 million for road, bridge, and highway construction. With

1751-636: The III Corps of the Union Army, held the office between February 6, 1897, and his retirement on February 3, 1898. The last quartermaster general of the 19th century was Marshall I. Ludington , who assumed the office on February 3, 1898, three months before the Spanish–American War . Ludington had served as a division quartermaster for the Army of the Potomac. He was criticized for the general unpreparedness of

1854-522: The National Highway System . Sections of Constitution Avenue are designated U.S. Route 1 , U.S. Route 50 , or both. Specifically, U.S. 50 runs along the road from its west end to 6th Street NW (eastbound) and 9th Street NW (westbound). U.S. 1 northbound uses the eastbound lanes of Constitution Avenue NW from 14th Street NW to 6th Street NW; southbound U.S. 1 used to run west from 9th Street NW to 15th Street NW but now continues straight through

1957-665: The National Museum of African American History and Culture (under construction as of 2013), the National Museum of American History , the National Museum of Natural History , National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden , and the National Gallery of Art . Once past the National Gallery of Art, the ground of the United States Capitol borders the south side of the avenue. The north side of Constitution Avenue NE features

2060-545: The Russell , Dirksen , and Hart Senate office buildings. The roadway passes through the Capitol Hill and Kingman Park neighborhoods, and on its south side is bordered by the football stadium of Eastern High School between 17th and 19th Streets NE. 38°53′31″N 77°00′33″W  /  38.892072°N 77.009237°W  / 38.892072; -77.009237 Quartermaster general (USA) The Quartermaster General of

2163-484: The Secretary of the Navy . A large parking lot 100 feet (30 m) wide and 1 ⁄ 2 mile (800 m) long, was located at the rear of the Munitions Building, with space to accommodate approximately 1,000 cars. Various small exhibits were on display in the corridors of the Munitions Buildings, showing military uniforms, types of gas masks, military daily rations, and Army photographs. The Munitions Building

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2266-613: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 1921, Harding began pushing Congress to move on constructing a new bridge. Congress approved funding for design work on June 12, 1922, and authorized construction of the Arlington Memorial Bridge on February 24, 1925. The 1925 legislation specified that B Street NW be treated as a major approach to Arlington Memorial Bridge. Several design problems presented themselves. The first

2369-758: The "father of the Quartermaster Corps". From 1860 to the end of the century, the quartermaster general office was held by officers who served in the American Civil War . Brigadier General Joseph E. Johnston held the position from June 28, 1860, until his resignation on April 22, 1861. Johnston was appointed a full general in the Confederate States Army on August 31, 1861. Adhering to the ideology of states' rights , quartermasters of each Confederate state exercised considerable autonomy from their national quartermaster general. Within their jurisdictions, these Confederate officers exercised powers equivalent to

2472-483: The 1860s. In 1871, Congress abolished the elected mayor and bicameral legislature of the District of Columbia, and established a territorial government . Territorial government only lasted until 1874, when Congress imposed an appointed three-member commission on the city. During this period, the D.C. Board of Public Works enclosed the canal and turned it into a sewer. B Street NW from 15th Street to Virginia Avenue NW

2575-513: The 49th Quartermaster General and Commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from 11 August 2005 to 26 October 2007. Brigadier General Jesse R. Cross: Brigadier General Jesse R. Cross served as the 50th Quartermaster General and Commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from 26 October 2007 to 22 November 2010. Jesse Cross Brigadier General Gwen Bingham: Brigadier General Gwen Bingham served as

2678-404: The 51st Quartermaster General and Commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from 22 November 2010 to 30 August 2012. Brigadier General Gwen Bingham became the first female to serve as Quartermaster General and the first female African American Quartermaster Corps General. She assumed command of the Quartermaster Corps from Brigadier General Jesse Cross on November 23, 2010. Bingham

2781-495: The 52nd Quartermaster General and Commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from 14 June 2013 to 9 June 2014. He currently serves as the Director for Logistics, Engineering and Security Cooperation (J4), U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. John E. O'Neil IV Brigadier General Ronald Kirklin Brigadier General Ronald Kirklin served as the 53rd Quartermaster General and Commandant of

2884-524: The 55th Quartermaster General and Commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from June 2018 to 29 May 2020. McBride was appointed as the interim commander of the US Army Combined Arms Command / Sustainment Center of Excellence on 23 August 2018. Douglas M. McBride Jr. Brigadier General Michelle K. Donahue: Michelle K. Donahue became the Army's 56th Quartermaster General May 29, 2020 through June 22, 2022. Donahue pinned on

2987-655: The 9th Street Tunnel to I-395 . Many important buildings and attractions border Constitution Avenue NW. In the west are several independent federal agencies and institutes, as well as the headquarters of several significant associations. These buildings include the United States Institute of Peace Headquarters , the American Institute of Pharmacy , the National Academy of Sciences , the Federal Reserve ,

3090-525: The AMBC and NCPC was whether B Street should continue east through this area to connect with B Street NE or end at Pennsylvania Avenue NW. To help plan and develop this area, on April 6, 1928, Congress enacted legislation establishing the Capitol Plaza Commission. On April 19, the Capitol Plaza Commission issued its first preliminary plan for Senate Park. This plan assumed B Street would extend through

3193-444: The AMBC budget to the city coffers for this construction. The city came up with another $ 82,100 to finance its portion of the costs. As part of the funding agreement, the city said it would build only a 72-foot (22 m) wide street between North Capitol Street and 1st Street NW, an 80-foot (24 m) wide street between 1st and 2nd Streets NW, and an 80-foot (24 m) wide street between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 6th Street NW. But

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3296-615: The Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission (AMBC), whose purpose was to design and build a bridge somewhere in West Potomac Park that would link the city to Arlington National Cemetery . But Congress appropriated no money for the design or construction due to the onset of World War I. But after President Warren G. Harding was trapped in a three-hour traffic jam on the Highway Bridge while on his way to dedicate

3399-759: The Army George C. Marshall , moved his office into the Munitions Building. In the late 1930s, a new War Department Building was constructed at 21st and C Streets in Foggy Bottom . Still, upon completion, the new building did not solve the department's space problem and ended up being used by the Department of State. To help deal with the space shortage, a fourth story was added to the Main Navy and Munitions Buildings during World War II . Coming into office, with World War II breaking out in Europe, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson

3502-595: The Army's Finance Office also moved into the Munitions Building. In February 1924, plans were put forth to build an oil steam plant for the Main Navy and Munitions Building. In November 1933, the Army Inspector General's office , along with the Organized Reserves, the welfare section of the Secretary's office, and the Office of Chief of Chaplains moved into the Munitions Building. The National Guard Bureau also

3605-569: The Bureau, under the supervision of Commander Archibald L. Parsons . The Munitions Building, constructed in 1918, contained 841,000 square feet (78,100 m) of space across three stories and was designed to provide temporary accommodations for 9,000 Department of War employees. During World War I, the War Department had greatly expanded, and by the end of the war, the Main Navy and Munitions Building together housed 14,000 military personnel, including

3708-611: The Civil War, succeeded Ingalls and served from July 1, 1883, to June 16, 1890. Richard Napoleon Batchelder , quartermaster for II Corps of the Union Army and a recipient of the Medal of Honor , succeeded Holabird. He held the office between June 26, 1890, and July 27, 1896. Another brevet brigadier general who had served as quartermaster for II Corps, Charles G. Sawtelle, succeeded Batchelder. He served between August 19, 1896, and February 16, 1897. George H. Weeks, who served as quartermaster with

3811-559: The Civil War. Meigs served throughout the war and retired on February 6, 1882. Contemporaries such as U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward and many historians have given Meigs's work in keeping the Union Army adequately and timely supplied considerable credit for the Union victory. From February 13, 1882, to February 23, 1882 Daniel H. Rucker was quartermaster general, an appointment intended to honor his many years of military service. At

3914-458: The Continental Army, acting as the prime supplier and businessmen for dealing with civilians, operated and repaired supply lines, which included the roads which they traveled upon, was responsible for transporting troops and furnished all the supplies needed to establish camps when the troops got there. Upon the establishment of the position, Congress authorized George Washington to appoint

4017-516: The Council on 18 December 1917, General Sharpe was required to delegate all his administrative duties to an acting chief Quartermaster designated by the Secretary of War Newton D. Baker to be George Washington Goethals . Baker fired three of the five officers appointed to the War Council on that day. In June 1918, General Sharpe was relieved from duty with the War Council and assigned to the command of

4120-495: The District of Columbia was founded in 1790, the Potomac River was much wider than it currently is, and a major tidal estuary known as Tiber Creek flowed roughly from 6th Street NW to the shore of the river just south of the White House . In Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant's original plan for the city in 1791, B Street NW began at 6th Street NW, and ended at the river's edge at 15th Street NW. Its eastern segment, which

4223-569: The Indian scouts, and for such infantry and members of the Hospital Corps in the field campaigns as may be required to be mounted; pays for all incidental expenses of the military service which are not provided by other corps. In 1907 James B. Aleshire was named Quartermaster General; he would retire in 1916 with the rank brigadier general . Aleshire was notable for combining the formerly separate Quartermaster, Subsistence and Pay Departments to create

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4326-483: The Mall until 1970, when they were demolished. In the 1970s, Constitution Gardens was built on the former site of the Main Navy and Munitions Buildings, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built nearby in the early 1980s. The buildings are briefly featured in the 1970 film Tora! Tora! Tora! and are used as a backdrop setting in the matters of the War Department leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor . Shortly after

4429-473: The Munitions Building housed approximately 7,000 employees of not only the Navy but also the Army , Air Force , Veterans Administration , and the Department of State . After decades of use, the building experienced structural problems in the late 1950s and 1960s, including cracked concrete piers, numerous interior cracked and bent walls, and settling floors. The buildings, constructed on marshy parkland, were damp, and

4532-587: The Munitions Building through the early years of World War II until 1942, when some space became available in the Pentagon , which was under construction. The Munitions Building was turned over to the Navy in 1943 when the Department of War vacated the Munitions Building once construction of the Pentagon was completed. Both buildings suffered severe structural problems in the 1960s. In December 1969, President Richard Nixon announced that both buildings would be demolished,

4635-709: The NCPC and the Office of the Supervising Architect of the U.S. Treasury (which was overseeing the construction of the Federal Triangle office complex on the north side of B Street between 6th and 15th Streets NW). The NCPC agreed in February 1927 that B Street should extend to Pennsylvania Avenue NW and was studying whether to extend it through the proposed Senate Park. Architect William Mitchell Kendall proposed creating

4738-447: The Pentagon in the first completed wing, the Secretary of War vacated the Munitions Building and moved to the Pentagon. The Department of War vacated the Munitions Building in 1943 once the Pentagon was constructed. The Department of Navy took over the Munitions Building once the Department of War relocated out of the building and placed the Navy's Material Systems Command offices in the Munitions Building. The Signal Intelligence Service

4841-552: The Potomac River. It also said that the avenue should be no wider than 72 feet (22 m) from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to 3rd Street NW. As the nature of the B Street project became apparent, there were calls to rename the street. In early 1930, legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives to rename the road L'Enfant Avenue. City officials opposed the name, however, advocating instead for Lincoln or Washington Avenue. Representative Henry Allen Cooper of Wisconsin subsequently introduced legislation in June 1930 to rename

4944-423: The Potomac would completely alleviate all traffic issues within 50 years, he said. By September 1927, the NCPC's vision for B Street had expanded. The agency saw B Street not just as a gateway but as one of the city's great parade avenues, similar to Pennsylvania Avenue NW. B Street's renewal soon became caught up in the creation of Senate Park north of the United States Capitol building. This area, which today

5047-471: The Quartermaster Corps, Aleshire replaced centralized purchasing with a decentralized system that saved time and money by enabling department, division, and unit quartermasters to procure supplies locally. Sharpe succeeded his friend and was named the 24th Quartermaster General on September 16, 1916; his term in office was to end on July 21, 1918. His appointment predated the entry of the United States to World War I by seven months. The Quartermaster Corps and

5150-561: The Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from 9 June 2014 to 10 June 2016. Ronald Kirklin Brigadier General Rodney D. Fogg Brigadier General Rodney D. Fogg served as the 54th Quartermaster General and Commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from 10 June 2016 to 12 June 2018. Fogg served as the Commanding General of the Combined Arms Support Command and Sustainment Center of Excellence, CASCOM, Fort Lee, Virginia. Rodney D. Fogg Brigadier General Douglas M. McBride: Brigadier General Douglas M. McBride, Jr. served as

5253-445: The Quartermaster's Department, furniture. Text-books, papers, and equipment for post schools, reading matter for post libraries, wagons, ambulances, carts, saddles, harness, water supply, sewerage, plumbing, illuminating supplies, and heating for all military posts and buildings. The Department is also charged with the duty of transporting, by land and water, troops, munitions of war, equipments, and all articles of military supplies from

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5356-468: The Southeastern Department. The following month he was appointed a major general in the line of the Army, with rank from July 12 and officially ceased to be Quartermaster General. In 1940 Edmund B. Gregory was appointed as the Army's Quartermaster General, advancing from colonel directly to major general. In 1945 he was promoted to lieutenant general, the first Quartermaster Officer to attain this rank. As Quartermaster General during World War II, he oversaw

5459-439: The U.S. Army for the Spanish–American War but he had inherited the general state of unpreparedness of the army, which had been given meager funds and kept small during the long period of relative peace that followed the Civil War. Ludington succeeded in improving the supply situation of the U.S. Army to an adequate state in a matter of months after the start of the war. He was promoted to major general on April 12, 1903, and retired

5562-405: The U.S. Army was Thomas Mifflin of Pennsylvania. The position of Quartermaster General originated in the Continental Army , under order of Congress. On 16 June 1775, 2 days after the birth of the Army , Congress ordered the creation of both a Quartermaster General and a Deputy Quartermaster General. During this period Quartermasters General would be act like chiefs of staff for the commanders of

5665-409: The Union quartermaster general. Georgia quartermaster general Ira Roe Foster is, perhaps, the best example of a Confederate quartermaster exercising considerable power over both production and supply within his state. Brigadier General Montgomery C. Meigs succeeded Johnston on May 15, 1861. Meigs was born in Augusta, Georgia but his family was from Philadelphia and he adhered to the Union during

5768-454: The United States Army is a general officer who is responsible for the Quartermaster Corps , the Quartermaster branch of the U.S. Army . The Quartermaster General does not command Quartermaster units, but is primarily focused on training, doctrine and professional development of Quartermaster soldiers. The Quartermaster General also serves as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School , Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia and

5871-712: The United States to the militia of the several States and Territo ries. It also transports the property for other Executive Departments on requisitions, payments therefor being made by the respective Depart ments to the carriers upon accounts forwarded through the Quarter master-general's Office for that purpose. This Department prepares the necessary plans and constructs all buildings at military posts, such as barracks, quarters, storehouses, hospitals, etc., builds wharves, constructs and repairs roads for military purposes, builds all necessary military bridges, provides, by hire or pur chase, grounds for military encampments and buildings; contracts for all horses for cavalry, artillery, and for

5974-432: The War Department generally were unprepared for World War I. The supply bureaus within the Quartermaster Corps were eager to procure and ship as quickly as possible the enormous quantities of supplies for which they were responsible. However, their uncoordinated procurement due to the Sharpe-Aleshire decentralization resulted in excessive and unbalanced railway shipments that overtaxed port facilities and finally developed into

6077-426: The act's passage moving forward swiftly, D.C. officials asked Congress on June 12 for the funds to finish widening Constitution Avenue NW. The act passed on June 13, 1933, and Roosevelt signed it into law on June 16. The Public Works Administration (PWA) was immediately established to disburse the funds appropriated by the act. The District of Columbia received a $ 1.9 million grant for road and bridge construction, and

6180-402: The bridge. Additionally, three agencies had design approval for the bridge. The first was the AMBC, which was building it. The second was the National Capital Parks Commission (NCPC), which had statutory authority to approve federal transportation construction in the city. The third was the United States Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), which had to approve any memorial design. Since the bridge

6283-478: The buildings more fire resistant. Roosevelt later expressed regret for allowing these building to be constructed, saying in 1941, "I didn't think I would ever be let into the Gates of Heaven, because I had been responsible for desecrating the parks of Washington." The project was originally intended for just the Navy, but the Department of War also wanted in on the project; thus, two buildings were proposed. With concrete construction not unreasonably more expensive than

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6386-400: The buildings more resistant to fire, the buildings were constructed using concrete. With solid construction, the temporary buildings remained used long after the end of World War I . In August 1939, the Secretary of War relocated his offices from the overcrowded State-War-Navy Building (Old Executive Office Building) to the Munitions Building. The Department of War headquarters remained in

6489-440: The canal. At low tide, portions of the canal were almost dry. After the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad built Washington Branch into the city in 1835, competition from railroads left the canal economically unviable. Although the Washington City Canal remained in use after the coming of the railroad, by 1855, it had filled with silt and debris to the point where it was no longer functional. It remained in this condition throughout

6592-449: The city began widening the entire roadway to 80 feet (24 m). In September 1933, the city received the first disbursement of revenue from the federal gasoline tax . This tax was imposed in the Revenue Act of June 1932. The city used $ 30,494 in PWA grant money and $ 45,741 in federal gas tax revenue to widen Constitution Avenue to the full width between North Capitol Street and 2d Street NW. This project, which occurred in conjunction with

6695-444: The city said on July 8 it would use a portion of these funds to finish Constitution Avenue. Construction on the $ 200,000 project was scheduled to begin at the end of August 1933 and employ 150 men. Part of the PWA grant included funds to complete John Marshall Park at the intersection of 4th Street NW and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Along with the park's construction, the city finally linked the two ends of Constitution Avenue by turning

6798-453: The city, into the canal's southern leg. The Washington Canal Company was incorporated in 1802, and after several false starts, substantial work began in 1810. The Washington City Canal began operation in 1815. The canal suffered from maintenance problems and economic competition almost immediately. Traffic on the canal was adversely affected by tidal forces, which the builders had not accounted for, which deposited large amounts of sediment in

6901-503: The clearance of Upper Senate Park, began in late September 1933. City officials also asked the CFA to approve the widening of Constitution Avenue to the full width between Virginia Avenue NW and the Potomac River. The CFA quickly approved the project. Paving of the fully widened street began in October 1933 and continued in November. In December, the avenue neared completion with the installation of traffic lights between 6th and 15th Streets NW. The western terminus of Constitution Avenue

7004-422: The consolidated U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps . He named his classmate and subordinate, Henry Granville Sharpe , the father of consolidation . Sharpe and Aleshire succeeded at eliminating the unwieldy centralized control of the army supply system that had grown up after the end of the American Civil War . In addition to creating administrative departments at his headquarters to manage the day to day operations of

7107-406: The development, procurement and distribution of billions of dollars worth of equipment and supplies. Gregory also supervised the training of thousands of quartermaster soldiers. In addition, he had responsibility for over 900,000 civilian personnel employed by contractors to produce supplies, equipment, ammunition and vehicles for the war effort. On July 30, 1999, Major General Hawthorne L. Proctor

7210-499: The end of June 1930. The city proposed a budget to Congress in May 1930 that included funds to widen B Street NW between 14th and 17th Streets NW. The federal government should pay for 40 percent of the cost of this three-block widening, the city said. When this legislation did not pass during the second session of the 71st Congress, the city proposed in December 1930 a similar funding formula but asked to widen B Street from 14th Street NW to Virginia Avenue. This time, Congress approved

7313-406: The end of his brief tenure, Rucker retired. Rufus Ingalls , a brevet brigadier general and quartermaster for all Union Army forces during the Siege of Petersburg succeeded Rucker. Ingalls also had a brief tenure in office, serving between February 23, 1883, and July 1, 1883, when he also retired. Samuel B. Holabird , who was chief quartermaster of the Union Department of the Gulf during much of

7416-576: The film was made, the buildings were demolished. Constitution Avenue Constitution Avenue's western half defines the northern border of the National Mall and extends from the United States Capitol to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge . Its eastern half runs through the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill and Kingman Park before it terminates at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium . Many federal departmental headquarters, memorials, and museums line Constitution Avenue's western segment. When

7519-560: The first African American Quartermaster Corps General. Major General Terry E. Juskowiak: Major General Scott G. West served as the 47th Quartermaster General and Commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from 11 July 2001 to 16 May 2003. Brigadier General Scott G. West: Brigadier General Scott G. West served as the 48th Quartermaster General and Commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from 16 May 2003 to 11 August 2005. Brigadier General Mark A. Bellini: Brigadier General Mark A. Bellini served as

7622-468: The first Quartermaster General. He picked a man from amongst his aides-de-camp, Maj. Thomas Mifflin. Mifflin, an experienced merchant from Philadelphia, proved to be a prime choice, being reappointed several times to the position. They eventually promoted Mifflin to a colonel in order to retain him in his position. Fifteen officers held the office of quartermaster general in the United States Army in

7725-567: The foundations settling. Portions of the buildings were declared unsafe in 1969, resulting in approximately 3,000 employees relocating to other facilities. In December 1969, President Richard Nixon announced a plan for demolishing the Main Navy and Munitions Buildings. The plan involved moving Navy employees to new buildings in the Crystal City and Ballston areas in Arlington County, Virginia . The Main Navy and Munitions Buildings remained on

7828-432: The grandeur of the planned avenue. The commission agreed that B Street should be extended eastward at least to 3rd Street NW and that building setbacks should be a minimum of 55 feet (17 m) along the avenue. But the width of the avenue remained in dispute. Tentatively, the NCPC approved a width of 80 feet (24 m) between Pennsylvania Avenue NW and Virginia Avenue NW, and 72 feet (22 m) from Virginia Avenue NW to

7931-402: The impending construction of Federal Triangle, worried that a traffic circle would not only fail to accommodate the expected increase in traffic volume but also impair the dignity of the memorial as large numbers of fast-moving automobiles whizzed around it. CFA members disagreed. For example, CFA member James Leal Greenleaf argued that the traffic issue was a red herring; future new bridges over

8034-404: The intentions of Pierre Charles L'Enfant of making the National Mall into an open space surrounded by aesthetically pleasing government buildings. The Munitions and Navy buildings were described as "unsightly shacks, of which many scores sprung up like mushrooms during the war". Due to their solid construction, some were concerned that the buildings would remain for an extended period. By 1960,

8137-514: The land near the White House and along Pennsylvania Avenue NW by nearly 6 feet (1.8 m) to form a kind of levee . This "reclaimed land" — which today includes West Potomac Park , East Potomac Park , the Tidal Basin — was largely complete by 1890 and designated Potomac Park by Congress in 1897. Congress first appropriated money for the beautification of the reclaimed land in 1902, which led to

8240-460: The legislation. Widening of what was now called Constitution Avenue NW began at the end of February 1931, with the city finalizing its engineering plans. The city commissioners ordered the $ 168,500 widening project to begin on May 13, 1931. A small memorial column, marking the point at which water reached inland during the terrible 1889 Potomac River flood, was moved because of the street widening. The CFA, meanwhile, began to study ways to harmonize

8343-865: The next day. At the close of the 19th century, in an annual report for Congress, the Quartermaster General defined his duties as follows. Under existing laws the Quartermaster's Department, under the direction of the Secretary of War, provides the Army with military stores and supplies requisite for its use, such as clothing and equipage, tents, band instruments, tableware and mess furniture, equipments for post bakeries, fuel, forage, stationery, lumber, straw for bedding for men and animals, all materials for camp, and for shelter for troops and stores, furniture for barracks, such as bunks, benches, chairs, tables, lockers, heating and cooking stoves for use in public barracks and quar ters, tools for mechanics and laborers in

8446-495: The nineteenth century. The first, John Wilkins Jr., was a major general. Two colonels, James Mullany and George Gibson , jointly held the office between April 29, 1816, and April 14, 1818. On May 8, 1818, Thomas Jessup became the Quartermaster General, and he remained in the position until 1860. As a combat veteran, Jessup understood the importance of support to front line soldiers and instituted many enduring practices and policies. Because of his reforms, historians often call Jessup

8549-549: The north side of the avenue. On its south side, Constitution Avenue NW is bordered by several monuments and museums. These include the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial , Constitution Gardens , and the grounds of the Washington Monument . The relocated U.S. Capitol Gatehouses and Gateposts are at Constitution Avenue NW and 15th Street NW. East of the grounds of the Washington Monument are several museums:

8652-411: The park. In February 1929, the D.C. Department of Roads and Highways finalized its engineering plans to widen B Street NW from 26th Street NW to Pennsylvania Avenue NW. But these plans needed approval of the NCPC as well as funding from Congress. The NCPC discussed the street widening at its March 9 meeting. It made a site visit along the roadway to see how different widths would affect the vista and

8755-446: The place of purchase to the several armies, garrisons, posts, and recruiting places. Under act of Congress amending section 1661, Revised Statutes, for arming and equipping the militia, this Department supplies quarter: master stores, clothing, and equipage to the militia of the several States and Territories, and transports the same to said States and Territories. It also furnishes transportation for ordnance and ordnance stores issued by

8858-423: The planting of sod, bushes, and trees; grading and paving of sidewalks, bridle paths, and driveways; and the installation of water, drainage, and sewage pipes. B Street NW extended through the newly created West Potomac Park between Virginia Avenue NW and 23rd Street NW. However, since this area was considered parkland, the street narrowed to just 40-foot (12 m) in width. On March 4, 1913, Congress created

8961-407: The south curb south by 20 feet (6.1 m) and the north curb north by 12 feet (3.7 m). However, once the street went past Virginia Avenue NW, the NCPC determined that the north curb should not be moved. In September 1926, the NCPC approved widening B Street to 80 feet (24 m) between 6th and 15th Streets NW (by moving the south curb south). This decision was reaffirmed by a joint meeting of

9064-469: The street Constitution Avenue. This proposal met with strong approval from the city. Although the House initially rejected the name, the legislation passed both the House and Senate in the second session of the 71st United States Congress . President Herbert Hoover signed the legislation into law on February 25, 1931. The Corps of Engineers realized in the spring of 1930 that no provision had been made for

9167-417: The terminus of B Street. Because this was merely a matter of adding a small traffic circle on the Potomac shoreline and creating a small terrace there, cost-savings elsewhere could provide the funding for the terminus without requiring additional authorization or appropriation from Congress. The Corps contracted North Carolina Granite Co. to provide granite for this terrace. Nearly all this granite had arrived by

9270-468: The traditional Quartermaster Corps . The office of the Quartermaster General was established by resolution of the Continental Congress on 16 June 1775, but the position was not filled until 14 August 1775. Perhaps the most famous Quartermaster General was Nathanael Greene , who was the third Quartermaster General, serving from March 1778 to August 1780. The first Quartermaster General to serve in

9373-634: The treatment of Constitution Avenue NW, the Lincoln Memorial Grounds, and the Arlington Memorial Bridge. By March 1932, additional funding to complete the widening of Constitution Avenue NW and extend it through Senate Park was still needed. But the House of Representatives declined to approve funding in April 1932. Funding for this part of the project did not come through until December 1932, when Congress ordered $ 55,200 transferred from

9476-528: The western section slightly northward and the eastern section slightly southward. The one-block section of Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 4th and 5th Streets was renamed Constitution Avenue (leaving Pennsylvania Avenue no longer contiguous). To control these two intersections, 10 traffic signals (some of the first to be installed in downtown D.C.) were placed at these intersections. The intersection opened on August 17, 1933. The lack of uniform width along Constitution Avenue proved problematic. With little fanfare,

9579-427: Was built until it was demolished in 1970. The building contained 940,000 square feet (87,000 m) of space, nine wings, and was connected to the Munitions Building by an elevated covered walkway. Navy offices housed in the Main Navy building soon after it opened included the Bureau of Ships , Bureau of Navigation , Bureau of Supplies and Accounts , Bureau of Steam Engineering , Bureau of Construction and Repair ,

9682-618: Was considered a memorial, it also had to pass CFA muster. In April 1924, the Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission proposed extending B Street to the U.S. Capitol as part of the plan to turn the street into a major thoroughfare. The NCPC inspected B Street in June 1926, and in August, made a preliminary determination that the street should be widened to 72 feet (22 m) between the Potomac River and Virginia Avenue NW. This would be accomplished by moving

9785-607: Was constructed on top of it. Work began in October 1871 and was completed in December 1873. After terrible flooding inundated much of downtown Washington, D.C., in 1881, Congress ordered the United States Army Corps of Engineers to dredge a deep channel in the Potomac to lessen the chance of flooding. Congress also ordered that the dredged material be used to fill in what remained of the Tiber Creek estuary and build up much of

9888-454: Was faced with the situation of the War Department spread out in numerous buildings across Washington, D.C., as well as Maryland and Virginia , and the Munitions Building was overcrowded. On 28 July 1941, Congress authorized funding for a new Department of War building in Arlington, Virginia , which would house the entire department under one roof. When office space became available in 1942 at

9991-654: Was housed in the Munitions Building, as was the Army Industrial College . At the time when the Munitions Building was constructed, the War Department was headquartered in the State-War-Navy Building , which was completed in 1888 and located on 17th Street NW, next to the White House . By the 1930s, the War Department was being squeezed out by the Department of State , and the White House also needed additional office space. In August 1939, Secretary of War Harry H. Woodring , along with Acting Chief of Staff of

10094-461: Was how to turn B Street NW into a ceremonial gateway. The second was how to link B Street NW with the bridge. This second problem was significant because the Lincoln Memorial stood at the northeastern terminus of the proposed bridge. Third, the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway was being designed to terminate at the Lincoln Memorial as well. The parkway would also interact with the B Street approaches to

10197-640: Was located in the Munitions Building during the early years of World War II . In September 1939, the Signal Intelligence Service was able to break Japan's cipher, Purple . The Department of War continued to receive intercepted messages, codenamed Magic , including final messages to the Japanese Embassy in Washington before the Attack on Pearl Harbor . The Navy used the Main Navy building from when it

10300-461: Was named the 46th Quartermaster General. He was the first African-American to hold the position. Twelve officers held the office of quartermaster general in the United States Army in the twenty-first century. Major General Hawthorne L. Proctor: Major General Hawthorne L. Proctor served as the 46th Quartermaster General and Commandant of the Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia from 30 July 1999 to 11 July 2001. Brigadier General Proctor became

10403-565: Was promoted to brigadier general in April 2011. She was promoted to major general in 2013. In 2014 Bingham became the first female officer to serve as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Life Cycle Management Command, in Warren, Michigan. In 2016, Bingham was promoted to lieutenant general, and became the 14th U.S. Army assistant chief of staff for installation management (ACSIM). Gwen Bingham Brigadier General John E. O'Neil IV Brigadier General John E. O'Neil IV served as

10506-588: Was separated from the Main Navy Building by a vehicle entryway at 19th Street. The main entrance of the Munitions Building was located at 20th Street. The Munitions Building had a total of eight wings. At the end of World War I, the Munitions Building housed technical branches, including the Quartermaster General , United States Army Corps of Engineers , Ordnance Corps , Chemical Warfare Service , Signal Corps , and Army Air Service . In March 1923,

10609-542: Was unimpeded by any water obstacles, ran straight to the Eastern Branch River, now known as the Anacostia River . Along its entire length, B Street was 60 feet (18 m) wide. L'Enfant proposed turning Tiber Creek into a canal. His plan included cutting a new canal south across the western side of the United States Capitol grounds and converting James Creek , which ran from the Capitol south-southwest through

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