Capitol Hill in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Jefferson
Library of Congress
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 21, 2025
1. Jefferson Marker
Nine Great Thinkers and Writers
The portico that soars above the front entrance pavilion commemorates great thinkers and writers showing nine portrait busts of (from left to right) Demosthenes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Washington Irving, Goethe, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Macaulay, Nathanial Hawthorne, Walter Scott and Dante. Librarian of Congress Ainsworth Rand Spofford selected the individuals who were sculpted by Herbert Adams, Jonathan Scott Hartley and Frederick W. Ruckstull.
Ethnography and Science
Thirty-three sculpted heads surround the building, serving as keystone ornaments for the first-story windows. Representing Arab to Zulu, they demonstrate one of the first efforts to use ethnological science in the decoration of an important public building.
King Neptune's Fountain
In 1897, this 50-foot wide fountain by sculptor Roland Hinton Perry, was the most lavishly ornamental fountain in the country. It features the Roman God of the Sea and his court. King Neptune is of colossal size - if standing, he would be about 12 feet in height.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.
Location. 38° 53.335′ N, 77° 0.337′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington
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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: United States Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named United States Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Jefferson (within shouting distance of this marker); Madison (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Madison (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named United States Capitol (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named United States Capitol (about 700 feet away); The Old Brick Capitol (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. War Gardens Over the Top (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); War Garden (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named War Garden (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Victory Garden (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 21, 2025
2. Jefferson Marker
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, August 21, 2025
3. Libray of Congress - Jefferson Building
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2025, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2025, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 23, 2025, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
