The White House’s iron fence has recently been the subject of national attention, after a man successfully jumped the fence and made it all the way to the door of the White House before he was detained by Secret Service. The event has called into question the security protocols for the White House, but it has also brought the building’s iron fence into the spotlight, as well as the history of fencing around the country’s most recognizable building.
According to the Washington Post, the understated iron fence stands 7 feet 6 inches, with decorative finials (spear points) on top. It also hasn’t been changed or updated since 1965. Lyndon Johnson was in office when the previous fence (which had been installed in the 1800’s) was replaced. Right now, the National Park Service (which owns the ground on which the White House stands) is involved in a project to remove rust from the nearly 50-year-old-fence and give it a fresh coat of paint.
Wrought iron fences were installed in the mid-1800’s, but for a long time the White House gates were open, and people were free to walk around and enjoy the gardens. Not until the late 1890s were the gates closed to the public, after a group of people wandered onto the lawn and began playing with then-president Grover Cleveland’s daughter Ruth, which upset Mrs. Cleveland. The gates were closed to the public, and have been ever since.
The first White House fence was constructed way back in 1808 when Thomas Jefferson was in office. This fence was not an iron fence but a wooden split-rail fence. It also only covered three sides of the grounds. The fourth was covered by a retaining wall known as a ha ha. And way back then, the fence wasn’t meant to keep people out, but rather to keep livestock from wandering around the White House. How times have changed.
Hercules Custom Iron is proud to be an affiliate of Hercules Fence. We have more than 70 years of industry experience and are committed to providing quality craftsmanship. Our custom designs are crafted by master fabricators to produce ornamental iron that offers both aesthetic appeal and structural reliability. Professional in-house installers take care to provide the highest quality service for every job they complete.
Our state-of-the art manufacturing and sand blasting facility is located just 60 miles north of Washington D.C. We also offer onsite, top of the line paint and powder coating. Our dedication has enabled Hercules Custom Iron to become a revolutionary company respected throughout the industry. We are proud to of our place as a leading manufacturer of custom iron work throughout, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area. We look forward to having you Contact Us to learn more about how we can help you with your next custom iron, specialty metal or aluminum project!
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