Columbia Heights in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Visionary and Park Champion
—Meridian Hill Park, National Historic Landmark —
By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
1. Visionary and Park Champion Marker
Henderson's efforts in urban development weren't limited to promoting Meridian Hill Park. She engaged the services 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 go to: www.nps.gov/mehi
Location. 38° 55.332′ N, 77° 2.128′ W. Marker is in Columbia Heights, District of Columbia, in Washington. Marker can be reached from 15th Street NW. Touch for map. This marker is one of four on the
By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
2. Visionary and Park Champion Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Creating the "City Beautiful" (here, next to this marker); Design Challenges (here, next to this marker); Park Designers (here, next to this marker); Mansions, Parks, and People (within shouting distance of this marker); An American Meridian (within shouting distance of this marker); College Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Campus to Army Camps and Back Again (about 300 feet away); Art for the People (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia Heights.
Also see . . . Meridan Hill Park. This URL appears on the marker. (Submitted on March 27, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Categories. • Man-Made Features •
By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
3. Visionary and Park Champion Marker
By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
4. Mary Foote Henderson
By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
5. John B. Henderson
Senator John B. Henderson (1826 - 1913) and his wife Mary Foote Henderson, 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.
By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
6. Marching Past Henderson's Castle
The French Commission to the United States parades up 16th Street past the Henderson mansion in 1917 as spectators gather along the street an 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.
By Allen C. Browne, February 10, 2007
7. The Remnants of Henderson's Castle
The Seneca sandstone retaining wall along 16th Street is all that remains of the Henderson mansion.
By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
8. Beekman Place
The Henderson's mansion was replaced by Beekman Place townhouses.
By Allen C. Browne, March 2, 2013
9. Crenellation
Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2017. This page originally submitted on March 26, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 26, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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