When and How the Washington Monument Was Built

Timeline of Key Events

Early Vision and Fundraising Efforts

#OTD in #history 1884, the Washington Monument was completed. After standing unfinished for decades, #Congress took over w/ the #USArmy Corps of Engineers in 1876. The aluminum tip was put in place, ending construction of our monument to the man who—more than any—forged a nation. pic.twitter.com/BcqKB0djjn

— US Capitol Historical Society (@CapitolHistory) December 6, 2024

The Formation of the Washington National Monument Society

In 1833, the Washington National Monument Society was founded to spearhead the effort. Chief Justice John Marshall, the Society’s first president, envisioned a memorial that would symbolize Washington’s unparalleled contributions to the country.

After Marshall’s death in 1835, James Madison assumed the role, lending further prestige to the cause.

Fundraising Challenges

The Society faced immediate obstacles. It initially limited donations to $1 per person per year, reflecting a democratic spirit but significantly curtailing potential revenue.

Additionally, its constitution restricted donations to white inhabitants and excluded women from its membership and collection efforts.

These limitations alienated large segments of the population, leading to slow progress in fundraising.

By 1838, the Society had amassed only $28,000—far short of the $1 million needed for construction. Despite these struggles, public interest remained strong, and by 1848, the Society had raised $87,000 through persistent efforts, including investments in stocks and bonds.

Robert Mills’ Vision

A National Competition

In 1836, the Society launched a design competition for the monument.

Architect Robert Mills, known for designing the Washington Monument in Baltimore, won with a bold proposal: a 600-foot obelisk surrounded by a colonnaded rotunda featuring statues of Revolutionary War heroes.

A Grand Yet Unrealized Design

Mills’ ambitious design symbolized unity and national pride. The proposed colonnade, containing 30 twelve-foot columns, was intended as a “National Pantheon,” paying homage to key figures of the Revolution.

The obelisk itself was capped with a statue of Washington riding a chariot, embodying both grandeur and timelessness.

However, the estimated cost of $200,000 (over $6 million today) made the design impractical. As funding challenges persisted, the Society scaled back the project to focus solely on the obelisk.

Laying the Cornerstone

The Ceremony

On July 4, 1848, the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid in a grand ceremony.

President James K. Polk presided over the event, joined by future Presidents James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, and Andrew Johnson, along with First Lady Dolley Madison and Eliza Hamilton, widow of Alexander Hamilton.

The cornerstone, weighing over 24,500 pounds, contained a zinc time capsule filled with mementos, including copies of the Declaration of Independence, coins, and newspapers.

The celebration included parades, speeches, and fireworks, symbolizing national unity and optimism.

Early Construction: 1848–1854

Construction began with the foundation, an 80-foot square step pyramid of blue gneiss.

Workers used pulleys, block-and-tackle systems, and steam-powered derricks to hoist massive marble blocks into place. By 1854, the monument had reached a height of 156 feet.

Despite steady progress, the Society exhausted its funds by the fall of 1854.

Efforts to raise additional money faltered, leaving the unfinished obelisk standing as a stark reminder of unfulfilled ambition.

The situation worsened when the Know-Nothing Party, a nativist political movement, took control of the Society, alienating donors further.

The “Beef Depot”

During the Civil War, the monument grounds were repurposed as a cattle yard to support Union troops.

Known as the “Beef Depot,” the site symbolized the nation’s shift in priorities during the conflict.

For over two decades, the unfinished monument stood as a national embarrassment.

Resuming Construction: 1876–1884

In 1876, Congress appropriated $2 million to complete the monument, transferring control to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Lincoln Casey was tasked with resuming the project, beginning with reinforcing the foundation.

Casey faced challenges sourcing stone to match the original marble. He ultimately used three different quarries, resulting in visible color variations on the monument’s exterior.

Despite these aesthetic differences, construction proceeded steadily, with workers using steam-powered elevators to lift stones into place.

On December 6, 1884, the capstone—a 3,300-pound marble pyramidion—was set in place. Atop it, Casey affixed an eight-inch aluminum tip, a rare and valuable metal at the time.

Inscribed with the words “Laus Deo” (“Praise be to God”), the tip symbolized the monument’s spiritual significance.

Dedication and Public Opening

The Washington Monument was officially dedicated on February 21, 1885, one day before George Washington’s birthday.

Thousands gathered to celebrate, including President Chester A. Arthur and numerous dignitaries.

The event marked the culmination of nearly a century of efforts to honor the nation’s first President.

In 1888, the monument opened to the public, featuring an interior staircase and an elevator.

Visitors could ascend to the observation deck, where they marveled at panoramic views of the capital and the commemorative stones donated by states, organizations, and foreign nations.

Later Restorations and Enhancements

Over the decades, the monument required several restorations to address erosion, damage, and aging infrastructure:

• 1934: Depression-era repairs included repointing and strengthening the structure.
• 1964: Another restoration addressed weather-related damage and relic-hunting vandalism.
• 2011-2014: After a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, the monument underwent significant repairs, including stone replacement and structural reinforcements.

From 2016 to 2019, the monument underwent modernization, including an elevator upgrade and the replacement of its temporary security screening facility with a permanent structure.

Comparisons to Other Monuments