The Years Following the Brick Capitol

In 1819, the United States Congress moved back over to the original U.S. Capitol, after its renovation, following the burning by the British in 1814.

So what was to become of the Brick Capitol after Congress moved “back home?”

Immediately following the move back to the original Capitol building, the Brick Capitol was used by the Circuit Court of DC until the City Hall was completed. In 1842, the business men, that were leasing the building to the Federal Government, did considerable interior remodeling and converted the building to a high-class Washington boardinghouse. Washington was long known for its boardinghouses, but this one was well known as one of the best. A number of individuals that worked across the street, in the Capitol, lived in the former Brick Capitol. Congressman Lincoln, from Illinois, lived there and Senator John C. Calhoun, from South Carolina, died in his apartment in the Brick Capitol building on March 31, 1850.