The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Washington: The Monument
National Mall and Memorial Parks
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
The Washington Monument honors George Washington, hero of the American Revolution and the first president of the United States. When this stunning stone obelisk was completed in 1884, it was the tallest building in the world. Today the monument towers over Washington, DC, reminding us of Washington's life and legacy.
Just the facts
Height: 555 feet, 5 1/8 inches
Steps: 896
Stones: about 36,000
Weight: 81,000 tons
(as much as 6,480 school buses)
150 feet up the stones change color because they came from different quarries during two construction periods.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
Location. 38° 53.369′ N, 77° 2.018′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. It can be reached from 15th Street Southwest north of Jefferson Drive Southwest, on
this page online
Regionally, this marker and monument is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Washington: The Man (here, next to this marker); Washington: The City (here, next to this marker); A Monumental Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named A Monumental Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Sheltering Branches (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gardening as a Freedom-Making Practice (about 600 feet away); Garden Exhibits at the Museum (about 600 feet away); Raoul Wallenberg Place (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby.
More about this marker.
[Caption:]
Soldiers drill on the White House Ellipse during the Civil War. The monument behind them remains unfinished. (Library of Congress)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 956 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 27, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
