Children's Literature Comprehensive Database - Leila Toledo

A tour guide named Celine takes you on a walk through the U.S. Capitol. She explains the purpose of the Capitol, its location and how the location was selected. The guide details the early history of the Capitol, its near destruction during the War of 1812 and its use as a hospital during the Civil War. The book is short and concise but it holds interesting and perhaps little-known facts about the Capitol. One such tidbit is about the design of the Capitol. Originally, French architect Pierre L'Enfant was hired to design the building. However, he was fired because he refused to put his plan down on paper. He claimed that he had the plans in his head. Finally, a design by Willam Thornton, a doctor, was chosen for the building. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson liked his design. Construction on the U.S. Capitol began in 1793.