Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Visionary and Park Champion
Rock Creek Park
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
Meridian Hill Park might never have been built had it not been for the determination of Mary Foote Henderson (1846-1931). For 22 years, she lobbied Congress for funds to buy the land and build the park. Congress's 1910 vote to authorize construction of Meridian Hill Park is a testimony to her resolve.
Henderson's efforts in urban development weren't limited to promoting Meridian Hill Park. She engaged in the servies of some of the country's foremost architects for her grand schemes, including an enormous new presidential mansion and two Lincoln memorials, none of which were ever built.
Henderson had nearly a dozen elaborate residences built on 15th and 16th Streets for use as embassies and other diplomatic missions. She then planned to line 16th Street with the busts of former presidents and change the name of the street to "Avenue of the Presidents." Although she succeeded in getting the street renamed for a short time, her grand vision for 16th Street was never realized.
For more information visit: go.nps.gov/MeridianHillPark
[Captions:]
At right, the French Commission to the United States parades up 16th Street past the Henderson mansion in 1917 as spectators gather along the street and atop Meridian Hill. Today, all that remains of the Henderson mansion is a part of the red sandstone retaining wall at 16th and W Streets.
Senator John B. Henderson (1826-1913) and his wife, Mary Foote Henderson, (1846-1931) came to Washington from Missouri for his first term in Congress during the Civil War. Senator Henderson coauthored and cosponsored the Thirteenth Amendment, which prohibited slavery. After the war they returned home, only to discover they were rich from investments in what they had thought were worthless Missouri war bonds. In 1887, they returned to Washington, where Mary embarked upon her career as civic leader and real estate developer.
Erected 2026
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 38° 55.332′ N, 77° 2.127′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Columbia Heights. It can be reached from 15th Street Northwest north of Chapin Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: A different marker also named Creating the "City Beautiful" (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 26, 2026
2. Four markers on display in Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park
Other markers no longer nearby. Visionary and Park Champion (has been replaced with this marker); Creating the "City Beautiful" (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Design Challenges (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Park Designers (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named An American Meridian (was within shouting distance of this marker 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 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
