The Ellipse in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Bulfinch Gate House
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 10, 2006
1. Bulfinch Gate House Marker
under direction of
Charles Bulfinch,
Architect of the Capitol, this gate
house stood until 1874 with another
(now at 17th and Constitution Avenue)
at the west entrance
to the Capitol Grounds.
Erected 1950 by National Capital Sesquicentenial Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.
Location. 38° 53.543′ N, 77° 2.03′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The Ellipse. Marker is at the intersection of 15th Street Northwest and Constitution Avenue Northwest (Route 50), on the right when traveling south on 15th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20230, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Washington City Canal on the Tiber Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Live Oaks: A Gathering Place (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sheltering Branches (about 400 feet away); Live Oaks: Specimens of Global, Scholarly and Public Research (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
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Regarding Bulfinch Gate House. Built in 1828, two sandstone guardians silently watched over the U.S. Capitol grounds until 1874. In 1889, this gatehouse and its twin, located on Seventeenth Street and Constitution Avenue (at the southeast corner of The Ellipse), were reconstructed in their present locations.
These houses have weathered several floods, water, and the effects of acid rain. On the southeast side are markers indicating the high-water marks during floods.
Also see . . . Gatehouse Sandstone Discussion. From the Stones of our Capital publication prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. (Submitted on April 12, 2006.)
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 10, 2006
2. 15th Street Bulfinch Gate House
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 10, 2006
3. 1881 High Water Mark
On left front corner of building.
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 10, 2006
4. 1877 High Water Mark
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, April 10, 2006
5. Gate House and one of the Stone Posts
Four stone posts were also moved from the capitol grounds with the gatehouses. Three are at corners of this intersection (the fourth corner has the gatehouse). The fourth is at 7th and Constitution.
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 4, 2008
6. Bulfinch Gate House
Internet Archive
7. Charles Bulfinch
By a pupil of Sir Joshua Reynolds from The Journal of American History Vol. III, No. 1. 1909.
Photographed By Tom Fuchs, March 25, 2006
8. Rear of the 17th Street Bulfinch Gate House
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,143 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 12, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 5. submitted on April 14, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 6. submitted on June 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7. submitted on December 2, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 8. submitted on April 12, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
