The Sea Beach Palace Hotel and Terminus

This extract from the description of a Lithograph of the US Government Building indicates the cost and huge size of the structure when it was located at the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876:

United States Government Building. The United States Government pavilion housed displays concerning the government departments, and the natural resources, manufactures and native customs of the entire country. Visitors in the foreground in this photograph await transportation by railway to other parts of the grounds." --Looney. Old Philadelphia In Early Photographs. p.212. The U.S. Government Building with garden and people at railway station in foreground. Image courtesy Free Library of Philadelphia CEDC No.c021828

By an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1875, an appropriation of $505,000 was placed at the disposal of the Board for the arrangement of this exhibition, $150,000 of which might be expended in the erection of a special building for the accommodations of the government collection. This structure stands at the intersection of Belmont and Fountain Avenues, and is in the shape of a cross, the short arms being those upon the north, east and south, whilst the long portion extends to the west. The greatest length of this building is 400 feet, the nave being that long and 100 feet wide.

The cross transept placed nearest the eastern end of the building is 100 feet in width and 300 feet in depth. There are attached aisles and sections of 40 x 60 feet, 40 x 200 feet and 20 x 20 feet on each side centre. Where the nave and transept unite, a cupola rises above the rest of the building to the height of 60 feet, surmounted by a lantern. The area occupied by this structure is 83,640 square feet.

The U.S. Government Building with the Drinking Fountain erected by the Sons of Temperance of Pennsylvania in the foreground. Landscaped surroundings with paths and a flag on top of the building, people, urns, and cannons in the foreground. Image courtesy Free Library of Philadelphia CEDC No.c011100

The building is of wood, with pilasters upon the outside, and is neatly painted in neutral colors, and decorated in the interior. Immediately north of this Hall is a small hospital upon the United States Army plan, modest in appearance, but yet of importance.

The architect was James H. Windrim; builders, Aaron Doan & Co. Cost of Main Government Building, $62,000. The style is simple and pleasing to the eye, and from a distance the proportions and outline create a very favorable impression.