Boundary Stones

Why the Original Plan for the Washington Monument Was Abandoned

The Washington Monument we know today is an iconic, simple obelisk — but it wasn't always supposed to look that way! The Monument went through many, many proposed designs, a hostile takeover, decades in limbo, and construction mired in drama. But in the end, one engineer's vision triumphed over artists, politicians, and critics.

Why the Original Plan for the Washington Monument Was Abandoned

4m 1s

The Washington Monument we know today is an iconic, simple obelisk — but it wasn't always supposed to look that way! The Monument went through many, many proposed designs, a hostile takeover, decades in limbo, and construction mired in drama. But in the end, one engineer's vision triumphed over artists, politicians, and critics.

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