Federal Triangle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Man with a Plan
National Mall and Memorial Parks
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 18, 2025
1. A Man with a Plan Marker
Unfortunately, the marker has been defaced.
George Washington appointed French engineer and Revolutionary War veteran, Pierre L'Enfant, to come up with a plan for the new country's capital city in 1791. L'Enfant's plan was bold and innovative. He imagined broad avenues, perfect for parades, that created long sightlines between monuments. Today, you're standing in the middle of L'Enfant's Plan, with a view of the White House behind you and the Capitol Building in front of you. You can find a map of the L'Enfant Plan engraved in the raised plaza here.
If you were hired to design a capital city, what would it look like?
[Captions:]
Pierre "Peter" Charles L'Enfant was born in Paris, France, but came to America in 1777 to fight in the Revolutionary War. He spent the rest of his life in the new country he helped to create.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1791.
Location. 38° 53.756′ N, 77° 1.904′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Federal Triangle. It is at the intersection
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 location: Alice Paul (within shouting distance of this marker); Julia Ward Howe (within shouting distance of this marker); The Willard InterContinental Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); The New Willard (within shouting distance of this marker); John J. Pershing, General of the Armies (1860-1948) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Peace Convention (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington, DC: Capital and City (within shouting distance of this marker); Alexander Robey Shepherd (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Willard Inter-Continental Hotel (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The John A. Wilson Building (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 18, 2025
2. A Man with a Plan Marker
The marker stands on the far western edge of Freedom Plaza. At the time the photo was taken, Freedom Plaza displayed Pickets, Protests and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington to commemorate the District of Columbia's hosting of World Pride 2025.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
