Roose's Companion and Guide to Washington and Vicinity

S. D. Wyeth & William S. Roose, 1885

Freedom

The Statue of Freedom crowns the Dome. It weighs 14,985 pounds, and was placed in position Dec. 2, 1863. The forts then surrounding Washington fired a salute in honor of the occasion. Mr. Crawford received for his model $3,000, and the casting of it, by Mr. Clark Mills, with all the attending expenses, netted an additional sum of $20,796.82.

For years previous to 1880, the Rotunda, Dome, and Tholus were lighted at night-time by 1,280 gas-jets ignited by electricity; The electric-room is in the central portion of the building.

Roose's Companion and Guide to Washington and Vicinity, S. D. Wyeth & William S. Roose, 1885, Pages 46 & 47.