Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Campus to Army Camps and Back Again
Rock Creek Park
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 26, 2026
1. Campus to Army Camps and Back Again Marker
President Monroe signed a charter in 1821 that established Columbian College on a site north of Florida Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets. Columbian College moved to Foggy Bottom in 1912 and became The George Washington University, but the original campus area continued to be called "College Hill."
During the Civil War, the Union Army commandeered the farmland on the Meridian Hill Park would eventually be built. The Army built camps there with names like Cameron, Relief, Carver, Barclay. As the war continued, numerous hospitals, including Columbian and Mount Pleasant, were established in the same area.
After the Civil War, Meridian Hill became a middle class African American neighborhood. Wayland Seminary, which had opened in Foggy Bottom to train young African american men and women as preachers and teachers in the South, moved to a building at Chapin and 15th Streets in 1875. The school operated there until merging with Richmond Theological Seminary in 1899 to formm Virginia Union University in Richmond. Booker T. Washington, noted African-American political leader, educator, orator and author, was one of Wayland's
this page online
For more information visit: go.nps.gov/MeridianHillPark
[Captions:]
Captain Gover of New York's 76th Regiment wrote home in 1861, "We were encamped in the edge of what must be in summer a beautiful grove, on the estate of Commodore Porter, a few rods only from his mansion, now occupied as a hospital. But beautiful as was the situation… snow and mud, cold fingers and toes, empty stomaches and soiled clothes, conceled every beauty, and compelled us to attend only to the work of arranging the camp."
Union troops of the 7th New York State Militia at Camp Cameron on Meridian Hill, 1861.
Carver Barracks, below, surrounded the campus buildings of Columbian College; later the barracks became Carver Barracks Hospital above.
Erected 2026 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.
Location. 38° 55.382′ N, 77° 2.14′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 26, 2026
2. Campus to Army Camps and Back Again Marker
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 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: A Hilltop for Heroes and Horse Thieves (within shouting distance of this marker); Mansions, Parks, and People (within shouting distance of this marker); Life on the Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Park Designers (about 300 feet away); Design Challenges (about 300 feet away); Creating the "City Beautiful" (about 300 feet away); Visionary and Park Champion (about 300 feet away); Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania / Lithuania's March to Freedom (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. Campus to Army Camps and Back Again (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named A Hilltop for Heroes and Horse Thieves (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Visionary and Park Champion (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Creating the "City Beautiful" (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Design Challenges (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Park Designers (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
