The Landscape Architect’s Guide to

Washington, D.C.

The National Mall & Memorial Parks

Washington Monument

Your Guide
Susan Spain, ASLA
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The Washington Monument is the central orientation point for the capital city. In the L'Enfant Plan, the planned location for a memorial to George Washington at the intersection the great cross axis of the National Mall could not structurally support the memorial. The present location, slightly southeast, happily created great unblocked vistas from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and the White House to Thomas Jefferson Memorial, with the Washington Monument near the center. The monument honors Washington’s contributions and emphasizes a civilian government and the peaceful transfer of power.

Learn more about the history of the Washington Monument.

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