The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
James Garfield's Legacy
National Mall and Memorial Parks
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 11, 2018
1. James Garfield's Legacy Marker
In front of you stood the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Station where President James A. Garfield was shot in 1881. Garfield served as the United States' 20th president for only four months before he was assassinated. A modest memorial to Garfield was placed in the lobby of the station until demolished in 1908. Other sites more associated with Garfield’s legacy of service remain to this day.
The Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building, behind you and across the National Mall, was the site of Garfield's inaugural ball. The White House and US Capitol, where Garfield held public office, still stand. Most significantly, Garfield, a Member of Congress for 17 years, is remembered with a monument erected in 1887 on the grounds of the US Capitol.
Erected 2018 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #20 James A. Garfield series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 38° 53.431′ N, 77° 1.188′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The National Mall. Marker is on Madison Drive Northwest west of 4th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. This Marker is across Madison Drive from The National Gallery of Art. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1022 Madison Drive Northwest, Washington DC 20565, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At
this page online
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 11, 2018
2. James Garfield's Legacy Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 11, 2018
3. Who Was James A. Garfield
The last president born in a log cabin, Garfield rose from poverty to the presidency. Garfield became a scholar, minister, president of Hiram College, and state senator. In the Civil War, Garfield advanced to the rank of Major General. After the war, he spent 17 years in the US Congress advocating for civil rights and African American suffrage. Garfield was elected president in 1880. He served only 118 days before being shot. Garfield's tragic death became a catalyst for civil service reform. His wife Lucretia and their five children lost a loving husband and father, and the country, for the second time in 16 years, lost a leader.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 11, 2018
4. Map
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 11, 2018
5. Detail of Map
Showing the viewer's location and the former location of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station where Garfield was assassinated.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 12, 2015
6. The Garfield Monument
Internet Archive
7. The Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Station
from A Manual on the Origin and Development of Washington by H. Paul Caemmerer, 1939.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 732 times since then and 100 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 13, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on December 22, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
