Mount Vernon in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Washington Monument

Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, May 15, 2008

1. Washington Monument Marker

Inscription. The Washington Monument, constructed between 1815 and 1829, was the nation's first formal tribute to the leader of the United States. Following the custom of the day, the design was chosen in a competition and the cost defrayed by a public lottery. The winning design by Robert Mills, pictured below was modified to the present simple column.

The monument had originally been planned to rise from what is now the site of the Battle Monument. Cautious city fathers, fearing for their real estate should the monument topple over, urged a more countrified setting. John Eager Howard obliged, donating land from his vast estate, "Belvidere." Enrico Causici created the statue of Washington resigning his Army commission.

The four squares radiating from the monument were given to the city by the heirs of Howard. Embellished by fountains and statuary by Antoine Louis Barye, Mount Vernon Place has been cited by architectural historians as one of the country's finest formal city squares.

Erected by the City of Baltimore, William Donald Schaefer, mayor, rededicated 2008, Sheila Dixon, mayor.

Topics and series. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Baltimore City historical markers

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 39° 17.848′ N, 76° 36.941′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Mount Vernon. Marker is on Washington Place, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baltimore MD 21201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. To George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Contributing to Society: Baltimore's Best Address (within shouting distance of this marker); Mount Vernon Cultural District (within shouting distance of this marker); Hackerman House (within shouting distance of this marker); Celebrating Culture: The Heart of the City / Contributing to Society: Baltimore's Best Address (within shouting distance of this marker); The Peabody Library (within shouting distance of this marker); The Peabody Conservatory (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

More about this monument. The marker features three illustrations, the "Original design by Robert Mills, 1814," an "Anonymous entry, 1814," and a "Competition entry by Maximillian Godefroy, 1810."

Also see . . .
1. Washington Monument (Baltimore). Wikipedia (Submitted on November 7, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Photographed By Don Morfe, January 5, 2013

2. Washington Monument Marker

Statue at the top of the monument

2. 2022-07-31 Baltimore Washington Monument Photos. (Submitted on July 31, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

The Washington Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, May 15, 2008

3. The Washington Monument

Marker is just to the left of the door, on the south side of the monument.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 5, 2015

4. The Washington Monument

George Washington<br>Inside the Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 5, 2015

5. George Washington
Inside the Monument

After orginial by Giuseppe Ceracchi This colossal marble sculpture portrays George Washington as a classical hero in Roman dress. Robert Mills, the Monument's architect, envisioned this room as a portrait gallery of the nation's founders, but this bust of Washington, purchased from the estate of William Howard, is the only artwork that was ever installed. It has greeted visitors to the Washington Monument on this pedestal since 1843.

<i>Mount Vernon Place and Washington Monument, Baltimore, Md.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1920

6. Mount Vernon Place and Washington Monument, Baltimore, Md.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,801 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on April 14, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on May 16, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 2. submitted on January 6, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on May 16, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on November 6, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on November 7, 2015. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.