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The Mall and the river · 50 photographs

The Lincoln Memorial

Henry Bacon's temple rising on land reclaimed from the Potomac, from groundbreaking in 1914 to dedication in 1922.

A vast crowd filling the ground before a long pool and the distant obelisk
1922 The crowd at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial, 1922, looking east along the unfinished Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12294, vol. 5, p. 53 <item> [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

History

The memorial was built in West Potomac Park, on land reclaimed from the Potomac with material dredged from the river after the flood of 1881. Ground was broken on February 12, 1914, and the building, designed by Henry Bacon with Daniel Chester French’s seated Lincoln carved by the Piccirilli brothers, was dedicated on May 30, 1922, together with the Reflecting Pool in front.

Chief Justice William Howard Taft presented the memorial and President Harding accepted it; Robert Russa Moton of the Tuskegee Institute gave the keynote address, but Black guests were seated in a segregated section.

What's there now

The memorial is one of the most visited places in the country, and its steps have been the setting for Marian Anderson’s concert of 1939 and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.

Then and now

The photographs show the memorial as a building site in open, raw ground, with the river close by and almost no trees. Today it sits at the end of the Reflecting Pool among mature trees, with the Arlington Memorial Bridge leading away behind it.

Compare: The Lincoln Memorial, 1916 and 1920.

Photographs 50, oldest first

A man standing by a coupe in the snow with the Lincoln Memorial behind
c. 1910–20 Herbert E. French, owner of the National Photo Company, beside his motor car near the Lincoln Memorial.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 10066 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A columned temple under construction with derricks and stone blocks
1915 The Lincoln Memorial under construction in 1915, with its colonnade rising and stone blocks piled in front.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 3278 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A columned building with crane masts and cables above
1915 The memorial's colonnade in 1915, with derricks still rigged above it.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 3279-A [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A large stone suspended from a derrick above a crowd
1915 The cornerstone of the Lincoln Memorial is lowered into place, February 12, 1915.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 4883-B [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A crowd on a construction site around a hanging stone
1915 Guests gather on the platform for the laying of the Lincoln Memorial cornerstone, February 12, 1915.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 4885-B [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Construction towers and cranes over a low unfinished stone structure on muddy ground
January 1915 Derricks and scaffolding rise over the foundations of the Lincoln Memorial in January 1915, snow patches on the raw ground.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 1997 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A crowd in overcoats beneath a stone hanging from a derrick
February 12, 1915 A crowd watches the cornerstone of the Lincoln Memorial swing into place, February 12, 1915.Date checked: The Library dates this only to 1910–1926; the Lincoln Memorial's cornerstone was laid on February 12, 1915.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 1037 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A columned marble building with a construction tower beside it on bare ground
1916 The Lincoln Memorial stands on open, rough ground in 1916, a tall derrick still at work beside it.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 24384 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A columned building half built, with cranes on top
c. July 1916 The Lincoln Memorial under construction in 1916, its colonnade rising on the fill beside the Potomac.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12359-1-A [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
The columned Lincoln Memorial on a bare grassy mound under clouds
1917 The Lincoln Memorial's colonnade standing on its bare mound in 1917, years before its dedication.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 6676 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A white columned memorial far off across a marshy field of grass and reeds
c. 1917 The Lincoln Memorial rises beyond a stretch of reedy marshland, around 1917.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12359-1A <item> [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A columned memorial building with tall construction derricks and cables above it
January 1917 The Lincoln Memorial under construction in January 1917, derricks still standing above its colonnade.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 1784 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Aerial view of a large columned building surrounded by raw graded ground
1919 The Lincoln Memorial under construction, seen from the air in 1919, its grounds still bare earth.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 30462 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A workman with a wheelbarrow on rough ground, the Lincoln Memorial far behind
c. 1915–23 An African American laborer pushes a wheelbarrow across rough ground, the Lincoln Memorial in the distance.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-585 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A 1920s touring car parked on a road in front of the Lincoln Memorial
c. 1919–20 An Oldsmobile touring car poses on the road below the Lincoln Memorial, around 1920.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 3753 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A 1920 touring car in front of the Lincoln Memorial
1920 A King motor car parked before the Lincoln Memorial, 1920.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12350-1 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
People skating in a line on a frozen pool with the Washington Monument far behind
c. 1909–32 Skaters link hands in a long line on a frozen sheet of water, with the Washington Monument rising in the distance. place uncertainNational Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 43771 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Dozens of ice skaters on a frozen pool with the Lincoln Memorial behind
c. 1909–32 Skaters on the frozen Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 43772 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Two men standing beneath the giant seated Lincoln statue with a ladder beside it
c. 1921–22 Two men in dark suits stand at the base of the Lincoln statue, a ladder still propped against it, early 1920s.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 7440 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
High view down a long rectangular pool toward a white temple-like memorial
c. 1921–23 The Lincoln Memorial at the far end of the long Reflecting Pool, photographed from high above the Mall in the early 1920s. place probableHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-3005 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
People standing at the edge of a long pool where water gushes up, the Lincoln Memorial behind
1922 A group in overcoats watches a jet of water burst into the Reflecting Pool, the Lincoln Memorial at the far end, 1922.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H234- A-5167 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A vast crowd filling the ground before a long pool and the distant obelisk
1922 The crowd at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial, 1922, looking east along the unfinished Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12294, vol. 5, p. 53 <item> [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Aerial view of a snow-covered memorial and a long empty basin site
January 1922 The newly finished Lincoln Memorial from the air after the great snow of early 1922, with the Reflecting Pool site still bare before it.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H234- A-4026 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A small biplane on a gravel drive with two men beside it, the Lincoln Memorial behind
March 22, 1922 Two men stand beside a small Sperry plane parked on a drive near the Lincoln Memorial, March 1922.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-4186 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Silhouetted figures between huge columns with the Washington Monument in the distance
May 5, 1922 Visitors stand between the great columns of the Lincoln Memorial looking out toward the Washington Monument, May 1922.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 19405 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Silhouette of a speaker between columns above a vast crowd along a long pool
May 30, 1922 The poet Edwin Markham, silhouetted between the Lincoln Memorial's columns, faces the huge crowd at its dedication on May 30, 1922, the Reflecting Pool beyond.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12294, v. 5 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Men on the steps between huge columns with a crowd below
May 30, 1922 Dignitaries on the steps at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial, May 30, 1922.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 18882 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A speaker silhouetted between great columns before a huge crowd along a long pool
May 30, 1922 A speaker addresses the vast crowd along the Reflecting Pool at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial, May 30, 1922, seen from between the memorial's columns toward the Washington Monument.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 18884 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
High view down a long reflecting pool to a columned memorial, with rows of low buildings and the river
May 30, 1922 Looking down from the Washington Monument on the day of the Lincoln Memorial's dedication, May 30, 1922: the Reflecting Pool runs to the Memorial, with wartime temporary buildings alongside.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H25- 3846 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Men in dark suits on a platform before huge marble columns
May 30, 1922 Chief Justice Taft presents the Lincoln Memorial and President Harding accepts it on behalf of the nation, May 30, 1922.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12294, vol. 5 <item> [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A huge crowd seated beside a long reflecting pool, seen from a height
May 30, 1922 A vast crowd fills the ground along the Reflecting Pool for the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial on May 30, 1922.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12294, vol. 5 <item> [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
The white columned Lincoln Memorial brightly lit against a black night
c. 1922–23 The Lincoln Memorial floodlit against the night sky, 1922 or 1923.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-5245 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Three 1920s touring cars parked in front of the Lincoln Memorial
1923 Shriners' motor cars, named for officers of Almas Temple, lined up before the Lincoln Memorial for the Shrine convention, 1923.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 24856 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Men handling a biplane on floats at the edge of a long pool, the Lincoln Memorial behind
1923 Men steady an amphibian biplane at the edge of the Reflecting Pool in 1923, the Lincoln Memorial at the far end.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H234- A-5509 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A long airship in a cloudy sky above the Lincoln Memorial and a river
1923 The Navy airship ZR-1 flies over the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac on September 22, 1923.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H234- A-7042 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
People skating on a frozen pool with the Washington Monument in the background
February 17, 1923 Skaters on the frozen Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, February 17, 1923, with the Washington Monument beyond.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H234- A-5360 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Arcs of fountain spray in front of a distant obelisk
c. 1924 The fountain jets of the Rainbow Pool at the east end of the Reflecting Pool, about 1924, with the Washington Monument beyond.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 32945 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Skaters on a long frozen pool with an obelisk in the distance
January 7, 1924 Skaters on the Reflecting Pool, January 7, 1924, with the Washington Monument at the far end.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 28216 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Children with model sailboats at the edge of a long pool
c. 1920–29 Children sail toy boats on the Reflecting Pool, with the Lincoln Memorial behind, 1920s.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12342-2 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A group of people in dark coats at the base of the giant seated Lincoln statue
January 1925 A gathering in dark coats stands at the foot of the seated Lincoln statue to mark Lincoln's birthday in 1925.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H234- A-9422 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Five young women on skates lined up for a race, the Washington Monument behind
February 4, 1925 Girls in scarves and tams lean forward at the start of a race at the ice carnival on the Reflecting Pool, February 1925, the Washington Monument behind.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 34106 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A man lacing a woman's skates at the edge of a frozen pool
December 29, 1925 A young couple put on their ice skates beside the Reflecting Pool, December 29, 1925.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12297, v. 6 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Five skaters linked hand in hand on a frozen pool, the Lincoln Memorial in the distance
c. 1923–29 Five skaters hold hands across the frozen Reflecting Pool, the Lincoln Memorial at the far end, in the 1920s.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-9250 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Two women in winter clothes on ice skates with the Lincoln Memorial in the background
c. 1922–32 Two young women on skates on the frozen Reflecting Pool, with the Lincoln Memorial behind them, 1920s.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12344-8 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Children's model sailboats on a long pool with the memorial behind
1928 Toy sailboats on the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial, 1928.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-2816 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Aerial view of a long reflecting pool, memorial and rows of long buildings
1929 Washington from the air in 1929, looking west along the Reflecting Pool to the Lincoln Memorial, with the wartime Navy and Munitions buildings at right.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-11483 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Blossoming trees in a park with the columned Lincoln Memorial behind
April 10, 1929 Cherry trees in full blossom frame the Lincoln Memorial in April 1929.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 42514 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Children wading and splashing in a long pool with the Lincoln Memorial behind
July 9, 1929 Children splash in the Reflecting Pool on a hot July day in 1929, the Lincoln Memorial at the far end.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 43127 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
A blimp in the sky above the Lincoln Memorial
January 1930 An Army airship floats over the Lincoln Memorial, early 1930.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-3824 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication
Two skaters gliding on ice in front of the Lincoln Memorial
January 21, 1930 Skaters on the frozen Reflecting Pool below the Lincoln Memorial, January 21, 1930.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-3792 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Nearby: Seventeenth Street · The Tidal Basin and Potomac Park · The Washington Monument · State, War and Navy Building · The White House and Lafayette Square