Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Hilltop for Heroes and Horse Thieves
Meridian Hill Park, National Historic Landmark
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
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 knoll, Porter had a direct line of sight to the President's mansion. 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.
The grand vistas of Meridian Hill would later attract another colorful character. Joaquin Miller, lawyer, poet, and by some accounts horse thief, built a 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 poetic nature.
For more information go to: www.nps.gov/mehi
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Science & Medicine • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 55.381′ N, 77° 2.182′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in Columbia Heights. It was at the intersection of 16th Street Northwest and Euclid Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north on 16th Street Northwest. Marker is at the north west entrance to Meridian Hill Park along 16th Street just south of Euclid Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
2. A Hilltop for Heroes and Horse Thieves Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Campus to Army Camps and Back Again (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Constitution of 3 May 1791 (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . www.nps.gov/mehi. This URL appears on the marker. (Submitted on March 13, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, March 30, 2013
3. Joaquin MIller Cabin, in Rock Creek Park
"The L-shaped cabin was built in 1883 at a site near the intersection of 16th and Belmont Streets, NW across from what is now Meridian Hill Park ... In 1911-1912 the cabin was disassembled and moved to its present site and dedicated on June 2, 1912." -- NPS Classified Structures Report.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,337 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3. submitted on April 1, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
