Capitol Hill in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Christopher Columbus

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

1. Christopher Columbus Marker

Inscription, north face of monument.

Inscription. To
the memory of
Christopher Columbus
whose high faith
and
indomitable courage
gave to mankind
a new world

Born MCDXXXVI
Died MDIV

Erected 1912 by the U.S. Congress and the Knights of Columbus.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 53.785′ N, 77° 0.396′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Capitol Hill. Marker is at the intersection of Columbus Circle Northeast and Delaware Avenue Northeast on Columbus Circle Northeast. Marker is on the north side of the Columbus Monument and Fountain, in front of Union Station, on the island between Massachusetts Avenue and Columbus Cicrle, NE. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 Massachusetts Avenue Northeast, Washington DC 20002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Freedom Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Delaware Avenue & Columbus Circle, NE (within shouting distance of this marker); “The President’s Trees” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gateway to The Nation's Capital (about 500 feet

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away); Famine-Genocide in Ukraine (about 700 feet away); Swampoodle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roll Out the Barrel (approx. ¼ mile away); Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During World War II (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northeast Washington.

Regarding Christopher Columbus. Columbus has been criticized both for his brutality and for initiating the depopulation of the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, whether by imported diseases or intentional violence.
Many scholars defend Columbus's actions or allege that the worst accusations against him are not based in fact, while others claim that he has been blamed for events far beyond his own reach or knowledge.

Also see . . .
1. Christopher Columbus. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 28, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

2. Columbus Memorial,. Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museum, -- Sculpture commissioned 1909. Oct. 1911-June 1912. Dedicated June 8, 1912. Taft Lorado Zadoc sculptor -- "A semicircular, double-basin fountain

Christopher Columbus Marker<br>(North Face) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2013

2. Christopher Columbus Marker
(North Face)

with a forty-five foot shaft in the center. Standing in front of the shaft, a figure of Columbus is crowned with a globe surmounted by four eagles connected by garlands. At the base, on the right and left, are two figures, one a Native-American, typifying the New World and the other an elderly, typifying the Old World. At the foot of the statue is the prow of the ship Santa Maria. The prow extends into the upper basin of the fountain with a winged figurehead representing Discovery. Mounted on either side of the fountain are two marble lions." (Submitted on January 27, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. Italian Americans; genocide; slavery; human trafficking

Christopher Columbus, Discovery and a Pigeon image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2013

3. Christopher Columbus, Discovery and a Pigeon

The South face of the Monument.(Columbus means pigeon in Latin.)

Christopher Columbus Monument, south face - Union Station in rear image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

4. Christopher Columbus Monument, south face - Union Station in rear

Lorado Z. Taft, sculptor; Daniel Burnham, fountain engineer.

Close up of Christopher Columbus at the allegorical bridge of his flagship, the <i> Santa Maria</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

5. Close up of Christopher Columbus at the allegorical bridge of his flagship, the Santa Maria

Columbus' Sponsors, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

6. Columbus' Sponsors, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain

"The Old World" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

7. "The Old World"

Columbus Monument, allegorical figure, east face.

"The New World" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

8. "The New World"

Columbus Monument, allegorical figure, west face.

Christopher Columbus Monument and Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 2, 2008

9. Christopher Columbus Monument and Fountain

Viewed from the southwest (the fountain is currently out of service).

Christopher Columbus image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2013

10. Christopher Columbus

Close-up of Zadoc's Sculpture of Columbus.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2013

11. Discovery

The figurehead of the Santa Maria.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,968 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on November 26, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on June 28, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2, 3. submitted on January 27, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 28, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 9. submitted on July 4, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 10, 11. submitted on January 27, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.