From Stumpy Start to Soaring Success: The Hilarious History of Building the Washington Monument
Ah, the Washington Monument. Piercing the D.C. skyline like a giant marble needle, it's a symbol of American resilience...and also, let's be honest, a testament to the fact that some things take forever. Buckle up, history buffs (and those who enjoy a good chuckle), because we're about to delve into the frequently frustrating, occasionally dramatic, and always entertaining saga of building this iconic landmark.
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| How The Washington Monument Was Built |
The Dream Team (Sort Of)
The story starts in 1833, when a group of enthusiastic citizens formed the "Washington National Monument Society" (think of them as the early birds of Kickstarter). Their goal? To build a monument to George Washington that would be, in their own words, "unparalleled in the world." That's a tall order (pun intended), even for a group with more ambition than experience.
They held a design competition, and the winner was Robert Mills, an architect who clearly wasn't afraid of a little drama. His design? A 600-foot-tall Egyptian-style obelisk, surrounded by a grand colonnade (basically, fancy columns). Think ancient pyramid meets fancy Roman forum. It was epic, audacious, and entirely impractical.
Fundraising Follies: From Pennies to Pope-Stones (Yes, You Read That Right)
Here's where things get interesting. The Society, bless their enthusiastic hearts, decided to fundraise through public donations. One dollar per person, per year. Let's just say the donations weren't exactly rolling in. Then, in a move that would make international headlines today, they accepted a symbolic stone from the Vatican, supposedly from the ruins of an ancient Roman temple. This did not go down well with the anti-Catholic Know-Nothing political party, who, in a fit of high dudgeon, threw the Pope Stone into the Potomac River. Fundraising efforts were further hampered by the Civil War, which put a bit of a damper on everyone's enthusiasm for monuments (understandably).
Tip: Make mental notes as you go.
The Monument Gets a Makeover (and Finally Grows Up)
By the 1870s, the half-built monument was a bit of an eyesore, towering over the city like a stubborn teenager refusing to grow. Thankfully, the U.S. Congress stepped in, took over the project, and brought in the big guns: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They redesigned the monument to be a simpler, 500-foot-tall obelisk (thank you, budget constraints!), and construction finally kicked back into gear.
After years of sweat, tears, and probably a few arguments about who got stuck at the top hoisting the heavy stones, the Washington Monument was finally completed in 1884. The grand opening was a cause for national celebration, a true testament to American perseverance (and the fact that good things really do come to those who wait...a very long time).
Frequently Asked Questions (Washington Monument Edition)
How to climb the Washington Monument?
Tip: Read actively — ask yourself questions as you go.
Unfortunately, due to security concerns, the public can no longer climb to the top. But hey, there's an elevator!
How long did it take to build the Washington Monument?
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36 years. Let's just say marathons have nothing on this construction project.
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How much did the Washington Monument cost?
The final tally? A cool $1.3 million. That's a lot of pennies!
How tall is the Washington Monument?
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
555 feet and 5 inches, making it the tallest structure in D.C. until the Washington National Cathedral was completed in 1990. (Sorry, Washington Monument, second place is still pretty good!)
How many stones are in the Washington Monument?
Over 36,000 stones, quarried from Maryland and Virginia. That's a lot of rocks!
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