Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

REPLACED

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An American Meridian

Meridian Hill Park, National Historic Landmark

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

An American Meridian Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

1. An American Meridian Marker

Inscription.
Thomas Jefferson believed the surveyor's of the nation's capital city should set a new American Meridian, a north-south line running through both poles and the American continent.

This reference line, longitude 0° 0°, would aid navigation, mapmaking, and the development of property boundaries, all key to settling the capital and new western territories. But most of all, Jefferson wanted to reinforce America's Independence from Britain, where the Prime Meridian was established to serve the Royal Navy's global navigation. Today, while there are many meridian lines running through many continents, the internationally recognized Prime Meridian passes through Greenwich, England, not Washington D.C.

For more Information go to: www.nps.gov/mehi

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Science & Medicine • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series list.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.

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It was located near 38° 55.298′ N, 77° 2.125′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in Columbia Heights. It was on 15th Street Northwest north of Chapin Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at the 15th street entrance to Meridian Hill Park just north of the intersection of Chapin Street and 15th Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2401 15th Street Northwest, 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 walking distance of this location: A different marker also named An American Meridian (here, next to this marker); College Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013

2. An American Meridian Marker

Visionary and Park Champion (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Creating the "City Beautiful" (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Design Challenges (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Park Designers (within shouting distance of this marker); Serenity (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Art for the People (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Other markers no longer nearby. Visionary and Park Champion (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Creating the "City Beautiful" (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Design Challenges (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Park Designers (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Art for the People (was within shouting distance of this marker but

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has been replaced with another marker now near it); Washington Meridian (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . www.nps.gov/mehi. This URL appears on the marker. (Submitted on March 16, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. Geography

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,221 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.