The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Washington: The City
National Mall and Memorial Parks
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Adam Margolis, April 6, 2019
1. Washington: The City Marker
George Washington shaped many aspects of the nation's capital. He championed placing the capital along the Potomac River then personally selected the site. He chose architect Pierre L'Enfant to design the city. L'Enfant envisioned a capital with symbolically-placed key buildings, a cross-grid street system with intersections for future commemorative sites. At its center, L'Enfant planned a grand space known as the Mall, with the houses of government perched on its edges and a monument to George Washington at its cross-axis. The basic concepts of L'Enfant's design still can be seen today.
Slow Progress
In 1836 the Washington National Monument Society held a contest to design the monument. Architect Robert Mills proposed a stone pillar, or "obelisk", rising from a low building surrounded by columns. This design was later simplified into the clean lines you see today.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.
Location. 38° 53.372′ N, 77° 2.018′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington
this page online
Regionally, this marker 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 the North Atlantic Region, 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 Monument (here, next to this marker); Washington: The Man (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 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. A Monumental Legacy (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named A Monumental Legacy (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Why is the Washington Monument Temporarily Closed? (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Pippin's Garden (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed).
