Washington Monument - Washington, DC
Posted by: 
Rayman
N 38° 53.368 W 077° 02.114
18S E 323483 N 4306479
One of the most recognizable monuments in the United States is also a civil engineering landmark.
Waymark Code: WM7D9V
Location: District of Columbia, United States
Date Posted: 10/08/2009
Views: 108
The Washington Monument, at 555 feet 5 1/8 inches, towers over everything in the National's Capital and reminds us of the immensity of George Washington's contribution to the republic. The monument resembles a classic Egyptian obelisk.
The cornerstone was laid July 4, 1848 in a ceremony attended by President James K. Polk and other dignitaries, among whom were Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. The monument rose steadily to 156 feet, financed by popular subscriptions collected by the Washington National Monument Society. Construction was halted in 1858 due to lack of funding. It stood unfinished for over 18 years until President Ulysses S. Grant, in 1876, approved an act authorizing the federal government to complete the project.
In 1878 Lt. Col. Thomas Casey of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers took control and resumed construction. In December 1884, a 3300 pound marble capstone was placed on the top of the obelisk and topped with a 9 inch pyramid of cast aluminum, a rare metal for the time. The monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885.
Source: Washington Monument brochure
Admission to the monument is free, but timed passes are required in order to take the elevator ride to the top. The civil engineering landmark plaque can be found one level down from the observation level just before entering the elevator.
Location:
National Mall
15th St NW between Independence and Constitution Aves
Washington, DC
Type of structure/site: Obelisk
Date of Construction: 1848-1885
Engineer/Architect/Builder etc.: Lt. Colonel Thomas Lincoln Casey
Engineering Organization Listing: American Society of Civil Engineers
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Web Site: [Web Link]
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