Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Hilltop for Heroes and Horse Thieves
Rock Creek Park
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 26, 2026
1. A Hilltop for Heroes and Horse Thieves Marker
It is perhaps no surprise that Commodore David Porter, hero of the War of 1812, chose Meridian Hill on which to build his estate. From this knowll, Porter had a direct line of site to the President's mansion, one of many buildings that had been destroyed by British troops during the war. Though no match for the grand buildings it looked down upon, Porter's manor house was a handsome brick and stucco structure with a large front portico.
Years later, while in use as an Army hospital, Porter's mansion burned to the ground. It was never rebuilt.
For more information visit: go.nps.gov/MeridianHillPark
[Sidebar:]
The grand vistas of Meridian Hill would later attract another colorful character. Joaquin Miller, lawyer, poet, and by some accounts, horse thief, built a log cabin on this site. The "finest view in Washington" did not satisfy Miller for long, however. He wandered frequently, taking his poetry to Europe, Alaska, and California before settling in Oregon. In a seeming reflection of this restless tenant, the cabin was moved to a new location in 1912. Today it rests on a serene bank of Rock Creek, a setting that would surely have appealed to Miller's poet nature.
Erected 2026
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 38° 55.379′ N, 77° 2.177′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Columbia Heights. It is at the intersection of 16th Street Northwest and Euclid Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north on 16th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 Euclid St NW, Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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: Life on the Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Campus to Army Camps and Back Again
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 26, 2026
2. A Hilltop for Heroes and Horse Thieves Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. A Hilltop for Heroes and Horse Thieves (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Campus to Army Camps and Back Again (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Constitution of 3 May 1791 (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Visionary and Park Champion (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Creating the "City Beautiful" (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Design Challenges (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Park Designers (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
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.
