I decided about half way thru reading Dan Brown's book, The Lost Symbol that I wanted to make a deep study on the city of Washington DC. Our nation's capital is full of so much great history and architecture, it is truly a city of wonders. Perhaps often overlooked as the seat of government, it is arguably one of America's most cultural cities (loaded with memorials, monuments, museums, art, statues, fountains and so forth). It was built in the likes of classical Rome and Greece and embodies a city from an entirely different age. Just as I did with my Study on Paris and New York City, I'd like to get a better understanding of the city's development. Furthermore I'd like to highlight the key monuments of the city. Therefore this is a historical study and more so an architectural study (free of any Freemason conspiracy).
I've been to Washington DC twice in my life and really wanted to make another recent trip however that will have to wait till later. I first went in 8th grade on a field trip with our class, but in those days I was much more into girls than appreciating the historical sites. Then in the year 2000, we went on a family summer vacation and got to enjoy the city a lot more. We saw all the classic sites that I had first seen few years earlier. Aside from the impressive sites, I also remember even then being impressed with the diversity in the city. The highlight of that trip was no doubt watching the 4th of July fireworks on the steps of the US Capitol while it poured rain. That trip was very memorable, but still I did not appreciate history as I do today.
For me, now that I have turned the page on the American Revolution, the foundation of this city is more interesting than ever. It's quite surprising that the new nation did not choose it's already well established cities such as Philadelphia or New York City as their federal capitals. Instead in the Compromise of 1790 the US government decided to build a new federal capital off the Potomac River between the states of Maryland and Virginia. This new Federal district was to be named after the great hero and 1st president of the nation, George Washington. Also the city of Washington became it's own separate state, known as the federal district of Colombia (A homage to the discoverer of America). It is a classical city, a white city, and a very iconic city full of so much history, art, and mystery.
History- Compromise of 1790
It was actually from watching the musical Hamilton that I learned of the very interesting Compromise of 1790. It was essentially a political deal between the founding fathers, Federalist Alexander Hamilton and the Democratic-Republicans Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In order for Hamilton to establish his federal bank and pay the war debts, he compromised with the Virginians (Jefferson and Madison) to establish the new nation's capital in the south. The new location was designated in the Residence Act of 1790 along the Potomac River at Virginia's northernmost point, and Maryland's southernmost point (very close to Washington's house in Mount Vernon).
Considering the nation's capital had operated out of Philadelphia and New York City since it's first declaration back in 1775, it seemed they were the obvious choice for a new federal capital. What's even more interesting is despite the signing of the Residence Act in 1790, the government still operated in New York and Philadelphia for another ten years while the new district was built. President Washington began his presidency at City Hall in New York from 1789 to 1790. He then relocated to Congress Hall in Philadelphia which became the nation's capital until 1800. Washington therefore never got to sit as president in the newly built capital of DC. It was the 2nd president, John Adam's who became the 1st president to reside in the newly established White House of Washington DC.
The Construction of DC
It was the French-American engineer, Pierre Charles L'Enfant who was appointed by President Washington to construct the new capital. It should be noted here that L'Enfant served with General Washington at Valley Forge and was a fellow Freemason member. Together they shared a similar vision that the city was to represent one of enlightenment, in accordance with their Freemason beliefs. It was to be modeled after the classical structures of Greece and Rome, thus demonstrating America's new found liberty and democracy.
L'Enfant's Plan first consisted of two main structures to be built north of the Potomac River, the US Capitol and the White House. The US Capitol was built on a hill at the end of an avenue that later became known as the National Mall. A diagonal rode known as Pennsylvania Avenue connected the Capitol to the newly built President's House. L'Enfant first intended for the White House to be a great palace however the scale was eventually reduced. Aside from these two main buildings L'Enfant also oversaw a grid of streets, canals, parks, and other city buildings. His plan was also revised by a prominent land surveyor who also later played a role in the layout of the city.
Burning in War of 1812
During the Adams and Jefferson administration the city continued to further develop it's foundation as well as it's economy. However during the War of 1812 it underwent a major setback. The city was invaded by British forces after the American defeat at the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814. On August 24th, 1814 the British army entered the city and set fire to many of it's iconic buildings such as the US Capitol and the White House. President James Madison fled to the town of Brookeville, Maryland and took refuge with a Quaker family for a day.
For me, now that I have turned the page on the American Revolution, the foundation of this city is more interesting than ever. It's quite surprising that the new nation did not choose it's already well established cities such as Philadelphia or New York City as their federal capitals. Instead in the Compromise of 1790 the US government decided to build a new federal capital off the Potomac River between the states of Maryland and Virginia. This new Federal district was to be named after the great hero and 1st president of the nation, George Washington. Also the city of Washington became it's own separate state, known as the federal district of Colombia (A homage to the discoverer of America). It is a classical city, a white city, and a very iconic city full of so much history, art, and mystery.
History- Compromise of 1790
It was actually from watching the musical Hamilton that I learned of the very interesting Compromise of 1790. It was essentially a political deal between the founding fathers, Federalist Alexander Hamilton and the Democratic-Republicans Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In order for Hamilton to establish his federal bank and pay the war debts, he compromised with the Virginians (Jefferson and Madison) to establish the new nation's capital in the south. The new location was designated in the Residence Act of 1790 along the Potomac River at Virginia's northernmost point, and Maryland's southernmost point (very close to Washington's house in Mount Vernon).Considering the nation's capital had operated out of Philadelphia and New York City since it's first declaration back in 1775, it seemed they were the obvious choice for a new federal capital. What's even more interesting is despite the signing of the Residence Act in 1790, the government still operated in New York and Philadelphia for another ten years while the new district was built. President Washington began his presidency at City Hall in New York from 1789 to 1790. He then relocated to Congress Hall in Philadelphia which became the nation's capital until 1800. Washington therefore never got to sit as president in the newly built capital of DC. It was the 2nd president, John Adam's who became the 1st president to reside in the newly established White House of Washington DC.
The Construction of DC
It was the French-American engineer, Pierre Charles L'Enfant who was appointed by President Washington to construct the new capital. It should be noted here that L'Enfant served with General Washington at Valley Forge and was a fellow Freemason member. Together they shared a similar vision that the city was to represent one of enlightenment, in accordance with their Freemason beliefs. It was to be modeled after the classical structures of Greece and Rome, thus demonstrating America's new found liberty and democracy.L'Enfant's Plan first consisted of two main structures to be built north of the Potomac River, the US Capitol and the White House. The US Capitol was built on a hill at the end of an avenue that later became known as the National Mall. A diagonal rode known as Pennsylvania Avenue connected the Capitol to the newly built President's House. L'Enfant first intended for the White House to be a great palace however the scale was eventually reduced. Aside from these two main buildings L'Enfant also oversaw a grid of streets, canals, parks, and other city buildings. His plan was also revised by a prominent land surveyor who also later played a role in the layout of the city.
Burning in War of 1812
During the Adams and Jefferson administration the city continued to further develop it's foundation as well as it's economy. However during the War of 1812 it underwent a major setback. The city was invaded by British forces after the American defeat at the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814. On August 24th, 1814 the British army entered the city and set fire to many of it's iconic buildings such as the US Capitol and the White House. President James Madison fled to the town of Brookeville, Maryland and took refuge with a Quaker family for a day.Quite miraculously after the city was set ablaze a major hurricane struck the Atlantic Shore and brought a thunderous shower upon the besieged city. The rainstorm not only put out the fires but brought heavy damage to the British artillery and ships, causing them to evacuate just days after their invasion. The president and Congress were able to return a few weeks later and begin reconstruction on the city. The War of 1812 eventually came to a cease-fire that winter in Feb of 1815. This invasion of DC marked the only time the city was occupied by a foreign power. The hurricane proved as the ultimate symbol to many that God was surely on the side of America.
Civil War Retrocession
Following the War of 1812 there was a movement within Congress to return the capital back to Philadelphia however the vote just barely upheld DC. During the Era of Good Feelings, the city continued to grow as a center of political appeal. By 1835 the first major railroad had been built in the city, connecting it to Baltimore and furthering business. However also during this time there was a petition among the Alexandria residents to withdraw from the federal district and return to Virginia jurisdiction. This motion was eventually granted in 1847, reducing DC's territory south of the Potomac river.
In the 1840s new developments in the city included the Smithsonian Institution, a branch of museums. In 1848 Congress approved the construction of a major monument to be built in the city to honor their iconic hero Washington. The design was led by Robert Mills as a giant obelisk that would stand in the midst of the National Mall. However the project hit several pauses due to a lack of funding as well as the outbreak of the Civil War. It did not resume construction until 1879 and was finally completed by 1889. The monument stood at a resounding 555 feet tall, and was the tallest structure in the world for 5 years until it was surpassed by the Eiffel Tower. The monument to this day remains the largest building in the capital city.
During the Civil War, president Lincoln established the Army of the Potomac to defend the capital city. It was at Washington DC where the Union Army established a well organized administrative and logistical operation to defeat the Confederates. The only notable attack of the city came at the Battle of Fort Stevens in July of 1864, where the Union was able to repel the Confederates. With the onset of the Emancipation Proclamation as well as the 13th amendment, the city became a popular destination among freed African slaves. However the city also sadly witnessed the assassination of President Lincoln at Ford Theater on April 14th, 1865.
Modern day expansion
In 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant pushed for the Organic Act to modernize the city with new roads and building improvements. By 1895 the city expanded it's jurisdiction further west, swallowing up the region of Georgetown renown for it's private university. In the early 1900s urban beautification gained popular traction, and Senator James McMillan presented a new layout to the city. His plan became the blueprint to the present day format of the National Mall. This included the construction of a major train station, known as Union Station finished in 1908. Furthermore there was the iconic Lincoln Memorial which was completed on the western end of the National Mall in 1922.
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, another prominent Freemason, commissioned various other monuments in DC. The most notable of these new monuments was the neoclassical Jefferson Memorial completed in 1943 on the south end of the National Mall in the Tidal Basin. The building was built in the Roman style of the Pantheon, reminiscent of other major classical buildings in the city. It also established a distinctive cross of monuments in the National Mall consisting of the US Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Washington Monument in the middle.
The city experienced a major growth spurt during the Great Depression and World War II, due to heightened needs for new federal agencies. It also later became the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement in 1963, in which Dr. Marin Luther King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The city also became the site of many Vietnam protests and the counterculture movement of the 1960s-1970s. The city continued to expand it's Arlington Cemetery with an iconic memorial to WWI, WW2, and Vietnam veterans, an eternal flame honoring JFK, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Later memorials were built in 1997 to Franklin D. Roosevelt and 2011 to Martin Luther King Jr. The city to this day remains a booming center of trade and culture, with countless architectural monuments.
Washington DC's Urban Culture
One thing that makes the United States quite different than other nations is that it is made up of a vast array of sub-cultures. Part of this is obviously due to the fact that it's one of the largest nations in the world by territory alone. Another reason however is because it is a nation made up of many different immigrants and thus it has a diverse culture among it's various regions. Urban culture is a defining feature of our nation's greater culture, and has a vast difference from east to west, south to north. Just like New York City, Boston, and New Orleans have their distinctive cultures so does Washington DC.
It is a city no doubt influenced by the business and administration of the federal government. It is also however very catered to the business of tourism, as it hosts many of the nation's most iconic monuments and museums. Aside from the government and tourism, the city has a booming media presence, being the heart of much of American news. And a city cannot be considered a proper city, unless it has several professional sports team. Washington has a sports team in every major league, consisting of the Washington Nationals (MLB), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), DC United (MLS), and the Washington Football Team (formerly the Redskins; NFL).
Architecture- Key Landmarks of the City
Now this is the favorite part of my Urban Study, and a big part of the reason I love to travel; to see the landmarks of the city. As a major history enthusiast, I see so much in an ancient block of stone, sculpture, or tower. I see great craftsmanship, impeccable detail, labor, and construction. Yet further more I see time and a symbol representing something great that occurred in the history of mankind. Whether it's an Obelisk Monument or a Dome Shaped building, these buildings are so much more than their physical structure. They are iconic symbols of our nation's history and culture.
Civil War Retrocession
Following the War of 1812 there was a movement within Congress to return the capital back to Philadelphia however the vote just barely upheld DC. During the Era of Good Feelings, the city continued to grow as a center of political appeal. By 1835 the first major railroad had been built in the city, connecting it to Baltimore and furthering business. However also during this time there was a petition among the Alexandria residents to withdraw from the federal district and return to Virginia jurisdiction. This motion was eventually granted in 1847, reducing DC's territory south of the Potomac river.
During the Civil War, president Lincoln established the Army of the Potomac to defend the capital city. It was at Washington DC where the Union Army established a well organized administrative and logistical operation to defeat the Confederates. The only notable attack of the city came at the Battle of Fort Stevens in July of 1864, where the Union was able to repel the Confederates. With the onset of the Emancipation Proclamation as well as the 13th amendment, the city became a popular destination among freed African slaves. However the city also sadly witnessed the assassination of President Lincoln at Ford Theater on April 14th, 1865.
Modern day expansion
In 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant pushed for the Organic Act to modernize the city with new roads and building improvements. By 1895 the city expanded it's jurisdiction further west, swallowing up the region of Georgetown renown for it's private university. In the early 1900s urban beautification gained popular traction, and Senator James McMillan presented a new layout to the city. His plan became the blueprint to the present day format of the National Mall. This included the construction of a major train station, known as Union Station finished in 1908. Furthermore there was the iconic Lincoln Memorial which was completed on the western end of the National Mall in 1922.
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, another prominent Freemason, commissioned various other monuments in DC. The most notable of these new monuments was the neoclassical Jefferson Memorial completed in 1943 on the south end of the National Mall in the Tidal Basin. The building was built in the Roman style of the Pantheon, reminiscent of other major classical buildings in the city. It also established a distinctive cross of monuments in the National Mall consisting of the US Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Washington Monument in the middle.The city experienced a major growth spurt during the Great Depression and World War II, due to heightened needs for new federal agencies. It also later became the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement in 1963, in which Dr. Marin Luther King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The city also became the site of many Vietnam protests and the counterculture movement of the 1960s-1970s. The city continued to expand it's Arlington Cemetery with an iconic memorial to WWI, WW2, and Vietnam veterans, an eternal flame honoring JFK, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Later memorials were built in 1997 to Franklin D. Roosevelt and 2011 to Martin Luther King Jr. The city to this day remains a booming center of trade and culture, with countless architectural monuments.
Washington DC's Urban Culture
One thing that makes the United States quite different than other nations is that it is made up of a vast array of sub-cultures. Part of this is obviously due to the fact that it's one of the largest nations in the world by territory alone. Another reason however is because it is a nation made up of many different immigrants and thus it has a diverse culture among it's various regions. Urban culture is a defining feature of our nation's greater culture, and has a vast difference from east to west, south to north. Just like New York City, Boston, and New Orleans have their distinctive cultures so does Washington DC.It is a city no doubt influenced by the business and administration of the federal government. It is also however very catered to the business of tourism, as it hosts many of the nation's most iconic monuments and museums. Aside from the government and tourism, the city has a booming media presence, being the heart of much of American news. And a city cannot be considered a proper city, unless it has several professional sports team. Washington has a sports team in every major league, consisting of the Washington Nationals (MLB), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Capitals (NHL), DC United (MLS), and the Washington Football Team (formerly the Redskins; NFL).
Architecture- Key Landmarks of the City
Now this is the favorite part of my Urban Study, and a big part of the reason I love to travel; to see the landmarks of the city. As a major history enthusiast, I see so much in an ancient block of stone, sculpture, or tower. I see great craftsmanship, impeccable detail, labor, and construction. Yet further more I see time and a symbol representing something great that occurred in the history of mankind. Whether it's an Obelisk Monument or a Dome Shaped building, these buildings are so much more than their physical structure. They are iconic symbols of our nation's history and culture.
- US Capitol
- Construction: 1793-1800
- Purpose: Meeting place of US Congress
- Significance: It is my favorite building in Washington DC (number #7 on my favorite modern wonders; see Top Ten Modern Wonders). It is built in the Roman neoclassical fashion with it's iconic white dome, pillars, 365 steps, and statue of lady liberty at its top. Inside the building is just as impressive with it's massive rotunda, and gallery of art consisting of The Apotheosis of Washington and the Signing of The Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull.
- Library of Congress
- Construction: 1800
- Purpose: Federal Cultural Institution
- Significance: It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Furthermore it is the largest library in the world and consists of 38 million books. The library was intended as the library of Congress but was later opened to the general public in 1897.
- White House
- Construction: 1792-1800
- Purpose: Executive Home of the President
- Significance: This is the iconic residence of the president, renown for it's white pillars, fountains, and green lawn. The mansion has undergone various expansions throughout the years, with additional portico and wings. Inside, the oval office became the center of executive operations in which the president oversaw his cabinet and federal administration. While many presidents have resided in the location, the term "House" is more figurative and normally it serves more as an office than an actual home.
- Washington Monument
- Construction: 1848-1884
- Purpose: Memorial to George Washington
- Significance: It is the most iconic monument in Washington DC and perhaps the entire nation. While it appears as a simple obelisk it's grandiose scale makes it truly the most remarkable site in DC. It stands as the tallest structure in DC (at 555 feet), and for several years it was the tallest building in the world. It also has a stairway and elevator inside the tower, which give citizens a very impressive viewpoint of the city at it's top.
- Smithsonian Institution
- Construction: 1849-1855
- Purpose: Branch of Museums and research centers
- Significance: It was originally organized as the national museum of the United States and quickly expanded to a collection of many sub-branches of history, science, and art. Most of the museums are spread across the eastern side of the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. These include the National Air and Space Museum, History Museum, Natural History Museum, American Art Gallery, and a National Zoological Park to name a few. Whats even more intriguing about the Smithsonian Institution is the massive archival collection stored underground away from the public's view.
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Construction: 1864
- Purpose: Houses the dead of the nation's conflicts
- Significance: Located at the once estate of General Robert E. Lee, it was first established as the burial grounds of those who died in the Civil War. It later expanded to include soldiers who had fallen in other American military conflicts such as the World Wars, Korean War, and Vietnam War. The Cemetery also houses various iconic memorials including the JFK Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The white headstones of the cemetery are arranged in a very organized pattern, displaying the unity of the American military.
- Lincoln Memorial
- Construction: 1914-1922
- Purpose: Memorial to Abraham Lincoln
- Significance: Built in the Greek Revival style, this memorial building has become one of the most iconic buildings in Washington DC. With it's white pillars, it is reminiscent of the ancient Parthenon in Athens and very on par with the classical architecture of DC. Furthermore the building houses one of the greatest sculptures in America, of president Abraham Lincoln. I included it as #5 on my list of greatest statues (Top Ten Monumental Statues) This colossal statue depicts the president seated on a throne of marble. In front of the building there is a long pool in the National Mall known as the Lincoln Reflecting Pool.
- Supreme Court Building
- Construction: 1932-1935
- Purpose: House of the Supreme Court
- Significance: Yet another Romanesque building of marble pillars and statues, it houses the 9 judges of the Supreme Court. Prior to this construction, the federal judges operated in the chambers of the US Capitol. However since the Judicial Branch was to be separate from the Legislative Branch, this building was thus commissioned in 1932.
- Jefferson Memorial
- Construction: 1939-1943
- Purpose: Memorial to Thomas Jefferson
- Significance: Yet another very iconic memorial in DC built in the neoclassical style. It was commissioned by President FDR to honor our 3rd president and author of the Declaration of Independence. The building stands on the shore of the Potomac River at the southern point of the National Mall. It is a homage to the Pantheon of Rome, with it's round dome and white pillars. Inside there is a statue of Thomas Jefferson standing with the words of the Declaration of Independence inscribed on the wall.
- Vietnam Memorial
- Construction: 1982
- Purpose: Memorial for the fallen soldiers of the Vietnam War
- Significance: On the west side of the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial, this Memorial is a wall dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the Vietnam War. It consists the names of the nearly 60,000 soldiers who were killed in this war. It also has two iconic status of the Three Soldiers and the Women's Memorial.
- FDR Memorial
- Construction: 1997
- Purpose: Memorial to Franklin Delano Roosvelt
- Significance: In the Tidal Basin aside the Thomas Jefferson memorial, this memorial honors the 32nd president of the US. The site consists of a collection of stones, statues, and a waterfall depicting the president's life with famous quotes. Quite frankly compared to the other surrounding memorials in the National Mall, this one is rather lackluster.
- WWII Memorial
- Construction: 2004
- Purpose: Memorial for the fallen soldiers of WWII
- Significance: In the midst of the National Mall, between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, this memorial is dedicated to those who served and fell in WWII. The memorial consists of a rainbow fountain and 56 pillars that represents the states and territories of the US.
- MLK Memorial
- Construction: 2011
- Purpose: Memorial to Martin Luther King Jr
- Significance: It stands at the west point of the Tidal Basin, a colossal white statue of Martin Luther King near the Lincoln Memorial. The statue is a homage to MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech which he gave in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. The statue is also referred to as the "Stone of Hope" and was commissioned by President Obama to honor this iconic African American leader.
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