Washington Monument
To truly experience our Nation's Capital, you must see it from the tallest structure in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument rises 555 feet above the National Mall and offers the best view of the city. The Washington Monument was erected to honor the greatness of the city of President George Washington. The first cornerstone was placed on July 4, 1843, and was finally completed on December 6, 1884. The obelisk design was Mills' interpretation of city designer Pierre L'Enfant's centerpiece for the capital city. Fifty flags surround the base of the Monument, one to symbolize each state in the Union. Hours of operation are 9:00 am to 4:45 pm daily. It is free to get in, but you do need to get free tickets to reserve a time.
Location: 15th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Metro: Federal Triangle (BLUE and ORANGE Lines) and Smithsonian (BLUE and ORANGE Lines)
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Visitors 2 years of age or older must have a ticket to enter the Monument. Free tickets may be obtained at the 15th Street kiosk or calling 1-800-967-2283. *
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A West view of the United States Presidential Memorial constructed for George Washington. *
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The Washington Monument is the world's tallest masonry structure, standing 555 feet, 5 inches (169.29 metres) in height and made of marble, granite, and sandstone. *
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The monument was designed by Robert Mills, a prominent American architect of the 1840s. *
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The actual construction of the monument began in 1848, but was not completed until 1884. *
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Ten days after President Washington's death in 1799 a Congressional committee recommended a monument be built to honor our Nation's first President. *
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Pyramidion at top of the obelisk weighs 172 tons. * The base of the pyramidion is exactly the same dimensions as the summit of the shaft, and unites with it directly without any break (except, of course, one angle) and with no ledge, molding, or other disfigurement.
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The walls of the monument are 15' at its base. *
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The Washington Monument is surrounded by 50 flagpoles, with each flag representing one state. In this photo the flags are half staff to honor the passing of U.S. Sen. George A. Smathers
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East view of the United States Capitol Building * The U.S. Capitol seen from the base of the Washington Monument. The building just in front is the Washington Monument lodge, the former home of the Washington Monument Society
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A West view of the Lincoln Memorial from the base of the Washington Monument. *
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United States National Flag waves in tribute to George Washington. *
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Looking up the corner of the oblisk gives one a sense of grandeur.
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Mason stone reaches for the sky.
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Inside the base of the monument on the eastern side is a Mason symbol - Wings of Horus, and two cobras (Apop the conscious and Set the unconscious) are affixed to sun disc with a six pointed star (double triangle as the macrocosm) hovers over a relief of George Washington. *
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