Alexander Robey Shepherd

This 1905 statue of Alexander Robey Shepherd, by Ulric Stonewall Jackson Dunbar, Sc., stands in front of the John Wilson office building at 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC. It was ceremoniously unveiled in 1909. 

U.S.J. Dunbar Sc. Wash. D.C.

—1905—

The Evening Star, May 2, 1909 had this photo of Dunbar working on the first model of the statue.

U.S.J. Dunbar

Sculptor, and An Assistant     Working on the First Model.

The 2005 bronze plaque reads: 

Alexander Robey Shepherd

Governor, Territory of the District of Columbia (1873-1874)

born Washington, D.C. January 31, 1835

died Batopilas, Mexico, September 12, 1902

buried Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Civil War Union veteran, entrepreneur, civil leader

advanced L'Enfant's plan through public works

Introduced modern silver mining in Mexico

statue dedicated 1909, removed 1979, returned 2005

Plaque placed by

The Association of Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia

This tribute appeared in the Washington Star in a report of Shepherd's funeral in May of 1903, which included a poem by Percy F. Montgomery. 

Photo by Rice

SIRIS says this of Alexander “Boss” Shepherd:

Alexander Robey Shepherd (1835-1902), later known as Boss Shepherd, was born and educated in Washington, D.C. where he became one of the city's biggest land developers. Shepherd first headed the Citizens Reform Association which demanded a governor for the city. President Grant and Congress agreed, but opposition to Shepherd prevented him from being named governor and Grant instead appointed him to a seat on the Board of Public Works in 1871. At Public Works, Shepherd made many improvements to the city, some of them controversial, and many with the help of his business associates. In 1872, citizens asked Congress to investigate the Board of Public Works, but Shepherd was not charged with any wrong doing. In 1873 Grant appointed him governor, but by this time it was discovered that the Board of Public Works had over spent, and he himself was in financial straights, and he soon fell out of favor with the citizens. In 1880 he moved to Mexico where he was to regained his fortune.

 They describe the statue's movement around the city over the years.

The sculpture was originally installed at the entrance to the District of Columbia Building. It remained there until 1931 when, due to construction of the Federal Triangle, it was moved to the plaza across the street from the District Building at 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue. In 1979, the sculpture again had to be moved due to construction. It was boxed up and placed in storage for three years, possibly at the Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant, and in 2005 was installed outside the District Building, renamed the John A. Wilson Building in 1994. 

The Wilson Building was the first of the Beaux Arts buildings in the Federal Triangle. 

The Wilson Building

Although is was completed in 1908,  the date over the front door is 1904.

MCMIV

This photo of Alexander R. Shepherd appeared in the Washington Times on May 03, 1909 with the title "His Statue Unveiled."

The American Flag was pulled from the Shepherd's statue by his grandson, Alexander Robey Shepherd III. 

In its description of the statue, The Evening Star remarked that  “Mr. Shepherd is shown in the attitude of deep thinking. In one hand, at his side, is a map of Washington, which he has been considering, with thoughts of possible improvements. His other hand is closed behind his back. He is shown dressed in a business suit, the statue being one of the few in the country in which the sack suit figures.”

The Sack Suit

 

 The Closed Fist

Alexander R. Shepherd died in Batopilas, Mexico, September 12, 1902 and is entombed in a mausoleum in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C. 

The Tacoma Times published this 1904 photo of Shepherd's tomb in an article entitled “WAS ONCE A HATED BOSS -- HIS MEMORY IS NOW REVERED.”

Shepherd's Tomb

They describe the tomb this way: “The vault erected at Rock Creek by the family is of Grecian-Doric design and constructed of granite quarried in large blocks. The interior is lined with polished marble.” 

A R S

The stained glass window at the rear of the mausoleum bears the motto: “Let Not Your Heart be Troubled.” surrounded by Morning Glories.

Let Not

Your Heart

be

Troubled

Visit Shepherd's country home Bleak House in my Landmarks Blog.