Often, tourists and locals alike are distracted by the bigger name memorials and monuments like the Lincoln Memorial or the Washington Monument. However, Washington, D.C. is sprinkled with small markers and memorials significant to the countrys history. A small stone behind the Washington Monument on the Lincoln Memorial side proves the point. Easy to overlook, the stone marks Thomas Jeffersons navigational meridian, which was never official though Congress did consider it. Now its a random historical marker many people walk by without noticing. For me, its another thing I love about my city.

This was the Capitals parade for the Stanley Cup win. Had a blast and they did a great job for the fans.

Cool history

This is around a bout the point where the Washington monument should have been, on the north-south, east-west axis. According to the LEnfant plan, an equestrian statue of George Washington would have been built here. But when the monument was changed to an enormously heavy (81,000 tonne) obelisk. The decision was made not to place the Washington monument on the axis, as the marshy and soft ground would have compromised the monuments structural integrity. But instead a few hundred feet south-east which is why the monument is not on the axis, and the National mall is unsymmetrical.

According to the National Park Service: On December 18th, 1804, a simple granite obelisk was erected at the intersection of lines from the front doors of the Executive Mansion and the Capitol Building, as part of a meridian system used to align city streets and development. As President, Thomas Jefferson wished for the United States to become scientifically as well as politically independent from Europe, so he wished for the new national capital itself to be a new “first meridian.”The original marker aided surveyors and later served as a benchmark during construction of the Washington Monument. As Tiber Creek was transformed into the Washington City Canal, the marker became known as the “Jefferson Pier” because barges navigating the Potomac River routinely used the original marker as an anchoring post. The entire Mall area west of the Pier Stone was once under water!The original marker disappeared in 1874, but a replacement marker was erected December 21, 1889. This simple obelisk is about 100 yards on a diagonal from the northwest corner of the Washington Monument. In addition to offering a glimpse into the dramatic changes the National Mall has undergone, this spot offers marvelous views of the surrounding monuments. When viewed at night from this vantage point, flashbulbs going off in the chamber of the Lincoln memorial look like fireflies on a warm summer night.

This, as I understand it, is a geodesic sign, according to which the layout of the terrain was done.

Great!

Very beautiful place.

Awesome design.

Good

Tallest structure in WA DC, supposedly there cannot be a taller structure by law.

Such Elegance and beauty

Jan 14 2017

Une façon intéressante davoir une autre lecture de lhistoire... Mais que fait cette pierre taillée ici ? Quel est le rapport avec Jefferson ? Et finalement pourquoi avoir choisit le Méridien de Greenwich comme référence ?Explorez par vous-mêmes et découvrez lhistoire dà côté.