Over the centuries the White House has had many different residents, but the fence has always been metal!
The White House has been a fascination for Americans since it opened up as a residence in 1800. The first president to move into the White House was John Adam on November 1, 1800. But do you know the actual history of the fence that protects the White House? Let’s learn something today!
President Thomas Jefferson
In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson was the first person to erect a post and rail fence around the White House. He wanted the south gardens to be a private garden with a flower border. At the edge of the south lawn he built an eight-foot wall in a ditch that would keep livestock from grazing in the garden.
Circa 1818
A new driveway was built across the north front of the White House and was marked with stone piers and an iron fence and gate. This part of the house now faces Pennsylvania Avenue. The stone piers and parts of the fence are still standing today. However a replica gate has taken the place of the original for increased security.
A New Iron Fence
President Ulysses Grant built a new iron fence in 1873 on the south side of the White House. He built it to help control the large crowds gathered for the New Year’s Day celebration. In 1937, the fences that were built in 1818 and 1873 were replaced by a steel fence that was topped with bronze spears for decorations.
The War Effort
When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the gates and grounds of the White House were closed to the public for security reasons. The grounds were guarded by newly installed gatehouses and the custom of leaving calling cards was discontinued. The following year in September, the old fence that was replaced in 1937 was taken by truck to a junkyard for scrap metal in an effort to support the war. The scrap metal was 1,600 feet of iron spikes. On August 14, 1945, President Truman was seen shaking hands with crowds gathered to the fence to celebrate the World War II victory over Japan.
No Longer for Decoration
In 1976, the old wrought iron gates that were erected in 1818 on Pennsylvania Avenue were replaced with reinforced steel gates in order to withstand automobile crashes. Following the deadly attack on the U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon, jersey walls were placed around the White House. And in July of 2015, the White House erected a temporary anti-climb feature to the fence. This structure consists of sharp metal points that are installed on the top of the existing fence to deter individuals from scaling the fence.
The White House has been a beacon of hope and power since it began being built in 1792. The People’s House has been protected by many different fences over the years, but none of them have protected as many presidents as iron. When you need fencing material to watch your back, iron will always be the best choice!
Hercules Fence of Washington, D.C.
At Hercules Fence, we specialize in the installation and maintenance of several fence styles throughout the Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina areas. Residential fencing provides a welcoming appearance to complement your home. Our sales team can offer you many selections to choose from to accommodate your privacy, semi-privacy, and decorative needs, and our professionals use only the highest quality materials to install your fence at a price that is reasonable and affordable.
We also specialize in commercial fencing to keep your business safe and secure while also looking professional and welcoming. To get started with your residential fence for your home, call us today at 1-800-883-3623. You can also visit our contact page to find a full list of our locations and phone numbers.
Source: http://www.whitehousehistory.org/press-room/history-of-the-white-house-fence
