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The Washington Monument

The Mall and the river · 43 photographs

The Washington Monument

The obelisk and its grounds, the city's open-air meeting place for rallies, festivals and kites.

History

The Washington Monument was finished in 1884 and opened to the public in 1888, after decades in which construction stopped at about 150 feet; the lighter shade of the marble in the lower third still shows where work resumed with stone from a different quarry. At 555 feet it was the tallest structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower of 1889. Its grounds were open ground used for gatherings and sport, and in 1917 the National Sylvan Theater was built at the foot of the slope as an outdoor stage.

What's there now

No building in the city is taller than the monument, which is open to visitors by elevator. The grounds have been landscaped, and since 2004 the World War II Memorial has stood to the west.

Then and now

The obelisk is unchanged; the surroundings are the change. In these photographs the Mall to the east was still being cleared of its Victorian gardens, and to the west the land on which the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool were built was raw fill.

Photographs 43, oldest first

A wide pond with a raft of swimmers, leaning trees in the foreground — c. 1900–06 Bathers on a raft in the swimming pool in Monument Park, framed by leaning willows, early 1900s.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-16515 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

The Washington Monument and trees reflected in a still pond covered with lily pads — c. 1900–10 The Washington Monument reflected in a lily pond on its grounds, 1900s.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-33130 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

The obelisk rising above water and low buildings — c. 1900–20 The Washington Monument and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing across the water, early 1900s.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-500016 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

High view across trees and buildings to the distant Capitol — c. 1900–20 The Capitol seen from the top of the Washington Monument, over the Mall.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-500506 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Crowds and umbrellas on an open field — 1910 Crowds with parasols at a military field mass held by the Holy Name Society, 1910. place probableHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 408 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A high bird's-eye view over open ground and city blocks toward a winding river — c. 1906–15 Washington from the top of the Monument in the 1900s: open land and rail yards in the foreground, the Potomac winding upstream beyond the rooftops.Detroit Publishing Company, Library of Congress · LC-D4-15676 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A sea of people with the Washington Monument in the distance — c. 1909–14 A huge crowd on the Monument grounds for a parade, early 1910s. place probableHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 963 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A crowd with umbrellas and parasols at the base of the Washington Monument — 1912 Crowds at a military field mass on the Monument grounds, 1912, at the foot of the obelisk.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 1427 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Groups of children in white on a broad lawn with trees and a red brick building behind — 1914 Children in white gather on the grass of the Monument grounds for a Playground Association event in 1914.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 4306 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A line of soldiers in front of tents with the base of the Washington Monument behind — c. 1910–20 Soldiers drawn up in line beside a row of tents in a military camp at the foot of the Washington Monument.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H25- 239 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

First-aid workers kneeling over a man on blankets, a crowd behind and the Monument at left — c. 1910–20 Medics treat a man lying on blankets on the Monument grounds while a crowd and sailors look on, flags flying, the Washington Monument at left.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H25- 240 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Aerial view over a city with a long avenue — c. 1913–18 From the top of the Washington Monument, east over the Treasury and downtown, 1910s.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 23134 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

High view over parks and buildings to the river — c. 1913–18 From the Washington Monument northwest over the Pan American Union and the city, 1910s.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 23135 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Women dancers posing on a lawn, the shaft of the Washington Monument behind them — c. 1909–23 Dancers in light costumes strike poses on the grass of the Monument grounds, the base of the Washington Monument towering behind.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 44199 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A four-storey commercial building on a corner, an obelisk beyond — c. 1914–18 The National Tribune Building, with the Washington Monument behind, 1910s. place uncertainHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 4933 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A crowd spread across a broad lawn under trees — 1917 Crowds gather on the Monument grounds on registration day of the 1917 Confederate reunion.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 8868 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A great crowd arranged in rows at the foot of the Washington Monument — 1917 Schoolchildren form a \"human flag\" on the Monument grounds for the Confederate reunion, 1917.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 8906 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A crowd on a grassy field with trees behind — 1917 Confederate veterans and visitors crowd the Monument grounds on registration day of the Confederate reunion, 1917.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 2000135 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A tall pyramid of timber standing on open ground — October 1917 A towering wooden pyre built for a Liberty Loan bonfire on the Monument grounds, October 1917.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 44038 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A huge fire glowing in darkness — October 1917 The Liberty Loan bonfire blazing at night on the Monument grounds, October 1917.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F8- 44039 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

High view over rows of long temporary buildings and parkland — c. 1916–19 From the Monument to the northwest, about 1918, over the wartime temporary buildings on the Mall.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 24828 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A park with a statue and curving paths, trees beyond and the Washington Monument — c. 1910–26 The Washington Monument rising over treetops, seen from the Treasury above the Sherman statue and its formal garden walks.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F82- 1529 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A huge crowd seated and standing on the grounds below the Washington Monument — 1918 A huge crowd gathers at the foot of the Washington Monument for the Flag Day exercises of 1918.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 24883 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A great crowd at the foot of the Washington Monument — 1919 Crowds at the Washington Monument for the Easter egg rolling, 1919.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 30194 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Vertical aerial view of a round base and curving paths — 1919 The Washington Monument grounds from the air, 1919.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 30452 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Aerial view with the white top of an obelisk in front and city blocks and parkland below — 1919 Looking down past the tip of the Washington Monument on the trees and buildings around it, from the air in 1919. place probableHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 30458 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Aerial view of the Washington Monument amid lawns, with long rows of temporary buildings beyond — 1919 The Washington Monument grounds from the air in 1919, ringed by drives and ball fields, with long rows of wartime temporary buildings at the edge of the Mall.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H261- 30507 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Aerial view of the Washington Monument, a large oval lawn and the city beyond — c. 1915–23 The Washington Monument and the oval of the Ellipse seen from the air, with the White House and its grounds beyond.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-15 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Four women in coats and hats skating together with the Washington Monument behind — 1919 Four young women skate arm in arm on the ice, the Washington Monument rising behind them, around 1919.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12344 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A flag-draped coffin with soldiers before a large crowd, the base of the Washington Monument behind — May 26, 1921 A military funeral for soldiers Vincent B. Costello and Hiram E. Cash at the Sylvan Theater, May 26, 1921, before a vast crowd at the foot of the Monument.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-3021 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Long rows of tents on a field with the obelisk in the distance — 1922 Rows of army tents pitched in sight of the Washington Monument, 1922.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-4538 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Four men in overcoats walking through snow and puddles, the Washington Monument behind — February 3, 1922 President Harding and companions stride through the slush on a winter walk, February 3, 1922, the Washington Monument behind the bare trees. place uncertainHarris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H234- A-4039 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A tall decorated fir tree with people standing at its base — December 24, 1923 President Coolidge lights the first National Community Christmas Tree on the Ellipse, December 24, 1923.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12295 <item> [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A group holding signs on a lawn before the obelisk — April 1924 Scouts with forest-fire prevention signs at the Washington Monument, April 1924.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H27- A-8220 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A vast crowd at the foot of the Washington Monument — September 21, 1924 An enormous crowd at the Monument grounds for the Holy Name convention, September 21, 1924.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LC-F81- 32535 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Dignitaries on a flag-draped stand before a vast crowd, the base of the Washington Monument behind — c. 1923–28 President Coolidge stands on a flag-decked speaker's stand with officers and priests before a huge crowd at the foot of the Washington Monument.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · PRES FILE [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A young man riding a bicycle along a road, the Washington Monument above the trees — 1927 A young cyclist pedals along a park road in 1927, the Washington Monument rising above the trees.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-2126 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Photographers with cameras on a high platform above a vast crowd, the Monument behind — c. 1927 Press photographers crowd a raised platform above a huge throng at the Washington Monument for Charles Lindbergh's speech, around 1927.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12354-3 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A flag-draped stand with a crowd before it — June 11, 1927 Charles Lindbergh on the decorated podium at his welcome on the Monument grounds, June 11, 1927.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT 12299, v. 2 [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A tall draped podium with loudspeakers above a dense crowd and a band — June 11, 1927 Charles Lindbergh speaks from a flag-draped podium on the Washington Monument grounds at his reception, June 11, 1927, an Army band before him.National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress · LOT (Album) [item] [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A small airship in a pale sky above the Washington Monument — 1928 A blimp floats in the hazy sky above the Washington Monument, 1928.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-3016 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

A large airship near the ground with the Washington Monument in the background — 1932 An Army blimp comes down on the Monument grounds, 1932, with the obelisk behind.Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress · LC-H2- B-5039 [P&P] · No known restrictions on publication

Nearby: Seventeenth Street · The Tidal Basin and Potomac Park · The Treasury · The White House and Lafayette Square · Pennsylvania Avenue