Foggy Bottom in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

GW's River Horse

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 6, 2021

1. GW's River Horse Marker

Inscription.
Legend has it that the Potomac was once home to these wondrous beasts. George & Martha Washington are even said to have watched them cavort in the river shallows from the porch of their beloved Mount Vernon on summer evenings. Credited with enhancing the fertility of the estate, the Washingtons believed the hippopotamus brought them good luck & children on the estate often attempted to lure the creatures close enough to the shore to touch a nose for good luck. So, too, may generations of students of The George Washington University.

Art is for wisdom,
Science for joy,
Politics for beauty,
And a Hippo for hope.

Erected 1996 by The George Washington University, Class of 2000.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Education • Paleontology • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 53.98′ N, 77° 2.809′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Foggy Bottom. Marker is at the intersection of H Street Northwest and 21st Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on H Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2112 H St NW, Washington DC 20052, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named GW's River Horse (a few steps from this marker); A Bench By The Road (a few steps from this marker); George Gamow (within shouting distance of this marker); Professors Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); At GW, Being Bright Comes Naturally (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward Teller (within shouting distance of this marker); Announcement of the Atomic Age (within shouting distance of this marker); Free Mandela (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker which had slightly different content.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 6, 2021

2. GW's River Horse Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.