Washington Apple Pi

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City Sights: The Pentagon

Many people have heard the rumor, and it is true: the Pentagon was never designed to house the Department of Defense. The blueprints were originally drawn up as a replacement for St. Elizabeth's, the mental hospital located in the District of Columbia. Hurridly modified to turn it into a giant office building, the Pentagon was rushed to completion to house the War Department, even as World War II was starting.

 

Pentagon On Normal Day

[Pentagon Normal]

 

Unfortunately, this legacy -- the rush to construction, not the mental hospital linkage -- is now catching up with the Pentagon. The hasty construction, constant, heavy use, and underfunded maintenance has resulted in large portions of the building falling into disrepair. And you're better off not learning about the rat problem.

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Pentagon After Budget Cuts

[Pentagon Extra Crispy]

 

Washington Apple Pi Virtual Tours, October 15, 1997 lic