Here’s why it took 51 years to build the Washington Monument

Something for George

For George Washington’s birthday Feb. 22, here’s a look at the monument built in honor of our first president, and why it took 51 years to complete.

The Washington Monument is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. It was quite difficult to complete. According to the National Archives, the Continental Congress proposed erecting a statue of Washington in the new capital as far back as 1783.

In 1833 the Washington Monument Foundation was created and began raising money. By 1836, it had collected $28,000 — about $780,000 today — and an open competition for monument designs was held. The winning design included a flat-topped obelisk, a statue of Washington in a chariot and 30 statues of revolution-era figures. Among other proposals was a massive arch, a design for a sphinx and a building that looked like a church.

Why it took so long to build

Sept. 26, 1833: The Washington National Monument Society is founded.

Nov. 18, 1845: The society selects a design for the monument by Robert Mills.

July 4, 1848: The cornerstone of the monument is laid with great fanfare. Within the 24,500-pound piece of marble is a zinc case filled with mementos, including copies of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, as well as coins.

Fall 1854: By the end of the building season, the monument stands 152 feet tall and the society has exhausted all funds for the project.

1861: The monument’s grounds are used to house livestock during the Civil War.

1876: Ownership transferred to the federal government.

July 1, 1878: Thomas Lincoln Casey is appointed as engineer-in-charge of the monument. Construction resumes.

1884: The project concludes.

Oct. 9, 1888: The monument opens to the public.

Since then: Restorations in 1930s, 1960s and 1990s. Security screening is added after 9/11 attacks. In 2011, the monument is damaged by a magnitude 5.8 earthquake. From 2016-19, the elevators are modernized.

At 555 feet, 5⅛ inches, the monument was the world’s tallest building when completed.

The monument has over 36,000 stones.

Visitation

The annual visitor count peaked at an average of 1.1 million between 1979 and 1997. From 2005 to 2010, when restrictions were placed on the number of visitors allowed per day, the monument had an annual average of 631,000.

Tickets required

Visitors can reserve tickets online (reservation fee of $1 per ticket applies) or get free, same-day tickets at the nearby Washington Monument Lodge on 15th Street.

The interior contains nearly 200 memorial stones. These stones — some simple, some intricately carved works of art — were donated by states, cities, civic organizations and other nations in memory of President Washington.

The stairs (896 steps from ground to observation level) have been closed for 50 years, but the National Park Service formerly gave “walk down tours” with details on all the memorial stones and the construction.

On the top

The observation deck, 500 feet above the ground, has windows on all four sides. The museum level at 490 feet includes exhibits and is where the elevator stops. Around 14-18 people typically board the elevator.

When the monument opened, about one quarter of visitors chose to ascend by the stairs. They were closed to ascending traffic in 1971, then to all traffic except by special arrangement in 1976.

The original steam-powered elevator, which took 10 to 12 minutes to reach the observation floor, was replaced by an electric elevator in 1901 that needed five minutes to ascend and was powered by an on-site generator.

The monument was connected to the electrical grid in 1923, allowing the installation of a modern elevator in 1925-26 that took 70 seconds, same as today.

At just under 9 inches tall and 100 ounces, the capstone was the largest piece of solid aluminum when it was made in 1884.

Aluminum was considered a precious metal at the time. Inscribed on the capstone is the Latin phrase “Laus Deo,” meaning “Praise be to God.”

There’s an opening at the top for workers to rope down to inspect and repair the stones.

Sources: National Archives, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, city of Washington D.C., George Washington University Museum. Photos from the National Archives and Wikimedia Commons