The Almost Abandoned Washington Monument

The Washington Monument, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is an iconic symbol of American history. It was built to honor George Washington, the first President of the United States, and is one of the most visited monuments in the country.

Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the monument to enjoy breathtaking city views and learn about the monument's history through interactive exhibits. In addition, a virtual tour of the Washington Monument is now available, which includes a 360-degree view of the interior and exterior of the monument. The tour also provides a detailed history of the monument and its construction and information about the people who made it possible. This virtual tour is a great option for those unable to visit the monument in person, as it allows them to experience it from afar.

The shape of the building is called an obelisk, a popular design used by ancient Egyptians to commemorate important events and figures. Obelisks were often inscribed with hieroglyphics, and they were considered to be powerful symbols of the pharaoh's connection to the gods. Despite their ancient origins, obelisks continue to captivate people today and can be found in cities worldwide.

The obelisk in question, located in Washington, D.C., remains the tallest obelisk in the world and is a popular tourist attraction. It is currently the tallest obelisk in the world, standing at 555 feet and 5-1/8 inches and weighing over 80,000 tons; it is an impressive feat of engineering and a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient Egypt.

The History of the Washington Monument

The concept of a marble tribute to George Washington in the nation's capital was first introduced by Congress on December 24, 1799, mere days after the president's passing. Yet, the idea failed to materialize. In 1833, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall and ex-president James Madison established the private Washington National Monument Society to gather funds.

Architect Mills envisioned a grand monument in the form of an Egyptian-style obelisk with a nearly flat top, reaching 600 feet in height. The hollow structure would emerge from a 100-foot-tall rotunda held up by 30 columns. The interior would house statues of 30 Revolutionary War heroes and the 56 signatories of the Declaration of Independence.

A divine depiction of George Washington would stand atop the roof of a chariot drawn by six horses.

However, as the society had amassed only about $80,000, the monument was scaled down, and the elaborate details, including the rotunda and the statue of George Washington in a chariot, were omitted from the final construction.

Did you know that the Washington Monument, one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, was almost never completed?

Constructing the monument proved to be a formidable endeavor, taking more than three and a half decades to finish because of multiple obstacles, such as financial constraints and the American Civil War. Nevertheless, the monument reached completion in 1884, and ever since, it has symbolized the unwavering resolve and tenacity of those who constructed it.

The erection of this edifice transpired in two separate stages. The initial stage unfolded from 1848 to 1854, followed by the second stage almost 20 years afterward, from 1876 to 1884. Interestingly, guests at the site can discern the demarcation between the construction stages, as the different hues of stones employed in each stage provide clear visual evidence.

Robert Mills designed the monument, but Thomas Casey and the US Army Corps of Engineers eventually completed it.

The monument's erection encountered multiple obstacles. Initial funding came from private sources, making it challenging to secure the necessary finances. Work commenced in 1848 but decelerated until the demise of Robert Mills, as the project lacked the required funds to proceed. As a result, for the subsequent twenty years, the monument remained stagnant at 156 feet.

In 1876, the second stage secured public funding, and under Thomas Casey's supervision, the construction concluded in 1884. Initially, the Washington Monument was intended to reach 600 feet in height. However, due to the constraints of available resources, its final stature was scaled down to 555 feet.

On July 4, 1848, the Washington Monument's cornerstone was set in place during a ceremony witnessed by a large crowd. The marble cornerstone features an inscription that reads, "This cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on the fourteenth day of July 1848, in the 73rd year of the independence of the United States of America, with appropriate ceremonies." Additionally, it houses an assortment of artifacts, such as a replica of the US Constitution, an image of George Washington, and a collection of contemporary coins.

The Washington Monument once held the title of the tallest building in the world, surpassing the Cologne Cathedral, which stood at 515.81 feet. However, this record was short-lived, as the Eiffel Tower surpassed it in 1889 at 906 feet tall.

Interestingly, the Washington Monument, commonly believed to be built from marble, consists of white marble blocks sourced from quarries in Maryland. The marble extracted from these sites is renowned for its exceptional quality and resilience, rendering it a superb material for the monument's construction.

Intriguingly, the monument does not exhibit flawless straightness. This is attributed to the ground beneath it settling over time. As the earth experienced shifts and movements, the monument had to adapt, making a subtle curvature visible upon close inspection. This imperfection contributes to the monument's allure and stands as a testament to the difficulties encountered throughout its construction.

Today, the Washington Monument is a beloved symbol of American history and an enduring reminder of the country's rich cultural heritage.