7 Hidden Gems in Washington DC's National Mall That Most Visitors Miss - A Local's Guide
7 Hidden Gems in Washington DC's National Mall That Most Visitors Miss - A Local's Guide - Underground Survey Marker Below the Washington Monument Shows Original Ground Level from 1884
Deep beneath the Washington Monument rests a discreet piece of history: a marker showing the original ground level from 1884. This isn't just about satisfying curiosity, though. Known as "Bench Mark A," this buried reference point is actually crucial for geodetic surveying. Imagine, a miniature monument, twelve feet in length, encased in brick, playing a part in ensuring our maps are accurate. It reminds us that the meticulously landscaped area around the monument wasn't always as it is now, and that what we see above ground often has unseen foundations, both literal and historical. This forgotten marker adds a dimension to what could otherwise be seen as a landmark and perhaps also an important, sometimes invisible, infrastructure.
Below the imposing Washington Monument, an unassuming survey marker offers a glimpse into the past – specifically, the original ground level as it existed in 1884. It's not just some dusty relic; this subterranean benchmark reveals the surprising extent to which the surrounding landscape has been altered. Think of it as a hidden control point, a silent witness to decades of landscaping and construction.
It's easy to overlook this detail, focused as we often are on grander displays of travel planning and vacation itineraries. But this marker subtly hints at the engineering puzzles inherent in erecting such a colossal structure on potentially unstable ground. How did they compensate for what they were building? I mean, the monument soars to 555 feet. What happened between now and the late 1800s that makes the ground levels so very different?
The marker represents a crucial reference for current maintenance efforts, allowing engineers to accurately assess any subtle shifts or settling that may occur over time. Without this historical point, modern assessments would lack a valuable baseline, essentially missing a critical piece of the puzzle. Now where is this marker and is it open to the public? Seems something is hidden away for a reason.
7 Hidden Gems in Washington DC's National Mall That Most Visitors Miss - A Local's Guide - Japanese Pagoda Tree Near Jefferson Memorial Survived 1912 Cherry Blossom Planting
Nestled near the Jefferson Memorial, the Japanese Pagoda Tree stands as a silent observer of the 1912 cherry blossom planting. While the Yoshino cherry trees steal the spotlight each spring, a reminder of diplomacy, this somewhat overlooked tree holds its own appeal. Its fragrant white flowers, appearing at a different time, offer a unique seasonal counterpoint to the cherry blossoms' fleeting beauty.
Located along the Tidal Basin, the Japanese Pagoda Tree offers a deeper perspective on the National Mall's history. While thousands flock to see the pink blossoms, this slightly-out-of-the-way tree offers a quieter, reflective experience. For those searching for the National Mall's less-traveled spots, this Pagoda Tree provides a detour that expands understanding beyond the usual tourist circuit.
A stone's throw from the Jefferson Memorial stands the Japanese Pagoda Tree (*Sophora japonica*). Overlooked in favor of its flashier neighbors, the cherry trees, this specimen offers an alternative botanical story. It predates the mass planting of the now-famous cherry blossoms that arrived as a gift from Japan in 1912, which aims to celebrate the enduring alliance and camaraderie between the two nations. Where those cherry blossoms explode in a springtime spectacle, the Pagoda Tree waits to flower later in the year, a subtle counterpoint.
This tree, seemingly a relic of an earlier plan, displays far more than just a different bloom time. It is a sturdy example of endurance and adaptation. Where the Yoshino cherry trees, while celebrated, can be rather finicky, this tree appears to flourish regardless of poor soils and polluted air, highlighting the robustness of Japanese engineering and a commitment to endurance. Its blossoms attract many pollinators, like bees, during summer due to their sweet nectar. One can argue its bark makes a unique visual appeal - looking similar to scales of a reptile with aesthetic purposes, but also sheds water to assist from any fungal development. Its growth pattern allows for a broad canopy, providing ample shade which is great for people who want shade during Summer.
Why choose this particular species at all? Was it perhaps selected to act as a hardy counterpoint, capable of thriving in conditions where the more delicate cherry trees might falter? Is this a subtle statement of resilience, hidden in plain sight? We also have to realize that cherry trees are a great sight, they are not good for urban life.
7 Hidden Gems in Washington DC's National Mall That Most Visitors Miss - A Local's Guide - Cuban Friendship Urn at Ohio Drive Commemorates USS Maine Memorial
The Cuban Friendship Urn, residing on Ohio Drive, isn't your typical grand memorial. Dedicated to the USS Maine sailors who died in Havana Harbor, an event sparking the Spanish-American War, it initially stood in Cuba. This memorial, now on the National Register of Historic Places, isn't just about remembering a naval disaster; it's about what followed.
The Urn displays joining of crests with the oak and laurel leaves of the Cuban crest. The memorial has two sculptures, one of each country, clasping hands above the ship, and served to honor the deceased sailors.
While throngs concentrate on the well-trodden paths of the National Mall, it's easy to miss this symbol of fraught relationships between the United States and Cuba. After all, the monument was at one point was in Cuba and then outside the Cuban Embassy, so the monument is always somewhere.
It makes one think – is this placement deliberate? Is it meant to quietly remind us of shared histories, or is it simply a lack of prominence reflecting fluctuating diplomatic tides? Where the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials loudly proclaim ideals, this urn whispers a tale of complicated alliances and long-ago conflicts.
Located along Ohio Drive sits the Cuban Friendship Urn, a dedication to the ill-fated USS Maine. The ship's 1898 sinking served as an impulse for the Spanish-American War. The urn, an exchange from the Cuban government, intends to portray a continuing friendship between the two nations, particularly in the face of tense historical times.
The detailed design of the urn includes symbols of peace - a dove and olive branches. This choice reflects a broad trend in memorial construction, visual components working to interpret complex accounts of human relationships and historical occurrences.
The USS Maine's explosion spurred the Spanish-American War. Yet the urn serves as a reminder that memorials can act as a bridge to agreement, rather than discord. It was installed in 1925. Its location on the National Mall was chosen to ensure it was viewable and available to visitors. Memorials serve as educational devices in public spaces, allowing people to connect with history.
Crafted from bronze, the Cuban Friendship Urn measures approximately six feet tall. Using bronze for historical reasons allows durability and resistance to corrosion. Its dedication was marked by notable personalities, which supports the diplomatic significance of the monument. Events such as this become hubs for political discussion, mixing art and history with modern diplomacy.
The urn also houses the remaining parts of an unknown sailor of the USS Maine, tying into narratives of sacrifice from naval conflict. Located close to other memorials, like the World War II Memorial, the spot makes one think about national identity.
Despite its significance, the urn is overshadowed by memorials on the National Mall. This asks the question of which reports achieve prominence over the others. Inscriptions of friendship function as emotional signals for reconciliation in global relations. The presence of reminders promotes talks about grievances and expectations for cooperation in the future.
Is this spot hidden in plain sight? It sounds important but most people overlook it. Perhaps we all should pay more attention to the underdogs of history.
7 Hidden Gems in Washington DC's National Mall That Most Visitors Miss - A Local's Guide - Temperance Fountain from 1884 Near National Archives Still Provides Drinking Water
Nestled near the National Archives, the Temperance Fountain is a reminder of 19th-century ideals. Erected in 1884, this fountain offered free drinking water. Its purpose, though now seemingly quaint, was a direct response to the era's temperance movement. This movement was intended to make positive change in public policy and social attitudes.
While monuments and grand memorials attract crowds, the Temperance Fountain offers a more subtle story. The fountain reminds the traveler of a time when providing clean water was considered a radical step towards social reform. It prompts reflection on the ever-changing nature of public health initiatives.
Is this fountain a forgotten relic or a valuable lesson? Perhaps it's both. It is a hidden detail that is overshadowed, like other parts of the National Mall. Even as new attractions compete for attention, sometimes, we should reflect on this piece of history that aimed to change society with something as simple as access to clean water.
Close to the National Archives stands the Temperance Fountain, dating back to 1884. It's not simply a pretty ornament; it's a monument to a very specific engineering problem of that time: providing clean drinking water. Imagine, at a period when urban water supplies were, to put it mildly, dubious, this fountain offered freely accessible water. How quaint.
Constructed largely from cast iron, the fountain has lasted well over a century. What is cast iron anyways? As a material it was celebrated for its strength, longevity, and resistance to corrosion. I'm curious, did it need any maintenance or improvements through the years? And how did the original engineers manage the design to allow so many to have access to it? There were several spouts installed, a calculated design aimed to meet expected usage and promote the consumption of water, rather than something else...
This seemingly innocuous public utility provided water from the Washington Aqueduct, quite the engineering project itself. Sourcing water from the Great Falls of the Potomac River, it speaks to a coordinated and complicated network which in turn allows this city to thrive. Was there really no alternative water source around to be used instead? Did the citizens ever complain about this method of obtaining water? Or was the engineering just too novel for people to comprehend?
What I find compelling is not just its historical value, but the simple fact that it still functions. Imagine, after all these years, it still offers free drinking water, providing silent testament to the ingenuity of late 19th-century public resources. The choice of location - not somewhere grand, but near a site of archival recordkeeping - suggests a commitment to a past where even hydration served as a civic and social goal. A pretty humble ambition when comparing it to space exploration, for example.