Random D.C. Sights

We saw a few smaller memorials, statues and notable buildings during our wanderings of the city that didn't really fit into any of our other posts, so I've grouped them all together here.

Located on the west side of the Capitol Building, next to the Capitol Reflecting Pool sits the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial. It honors Grant's service as Union general during the Civil War and later as president of the United States.

The memorial was dedicated on April 27, 1922, the 100th anniversary of Grant's birthday. It consists of three main parts: a center statue of Grant riding his horse Cincinnati, the bronze statue Artillery to the south and the bronze statue Calvary Charge to the north. The marble platform and four bronze lions were installed in 1909. Artillery  was added in 1912, and Calvary Charge was added in 1916. The statue of Grant and his horse was added in 1920. 

The equestrian statue of Grant is just over 17 feet high and stands atop a 22-foot tall marble pedestal. Grant sits at the east end of the National Mall while the Lincoln Memorial sits at the west end. Grant's statue looks across the mall towards the Lincoln Memorial, honoring Abraham Lincoln, who was Grant's commanding president during the Civil War. We didn't get a good picture of Grant's face, but he has a calm expression. The artist designed this expression on purpose to reflect Grant's demeanor during battle, as it was said that he remained calm and cool during battle. 

Embedded in the north and south sides of Grant's pedestal are bronze panels showing a relief of marching Civil War infantry soldiers.

The Cavalry Guard shows seven cavalry men all part of a color squad charging into battle with the flag.

The Artillery depicts a team of horses pulling a wagon loaded with ammunition. Two soldiers are riding on the wagon and a third soldier, a flag carrier, is riding on horseback next to the team.

The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial is another Civil War Memorial. Dedicated on July 3, 1909 it honors Dr. Benjamin F. Stephenson and his creation, the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternity for Union Army, U.S. Navy, Revenue Cutter Service and Marines who served in the Civil War. On the front side of the granite pillar sits a bronze statue of a Union Soldier holding a gun and a sailor holding a U.S. Flag. Above their heads is a plaque that reads 1861-1865, the years during which the Civil War was fought. The bronze relief below the figures depicts the face of Stephenson. Two female figures, one symbolizing Charity and the other symbolizing Loyalty, sit on the pillar's other two sides.

Across the street from the National Archives sits a statue of General Winfield Scott Hancock. He served as a Union general during the Civil War, and was in command over the troops that held Cemetery Ridge during the battle of Gettysburg. As part of that battle, his men faced Pickett's Charge on the last day.

Speaking of the Civil War and Gettysburg, we also found the George Gordon Meade Memorial, honoring this United States Army Officer. Abraham Lincoln appointed Meade as General of the Potomac (the portion of the Union Army that fought in D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia) just three days before the battle of Gettysburg. Under his leadership, the Union was victorious at Gettysburg.

General Meade is the middle statue of the memorial. Behind Meade, on the memorial's opposite side, stands a winged figure representing War. The six figures that connect Mead and War in a circle represent Fame, Progress, Chivalry, Military Courage, Loyalty and Energy. The artist believed that all great generals must have these attributes.

Brass letters embedded in the stone in front of the memorial read, "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Major General George Gordon Meade who commanded the Union forces at Gettysburg." Although Meade was born in Spain, his father was from Philadelphia, and that is where he lived during his later years.

We walked past the J. Edgar Hoover Building, the headquarters for the FBI.

Brian was excited about seeing it even though we just saw the building briefly from outside.

We also found the Old Post Office Pavilion, named the Nancy Hanks Center. This building, built in 1899, served as D.C. main post office until 1914. It's a beautiful building and is kind of sad that it was only used as the post office for 15 years. Afterwards it was used for office buildings. The Trump Organization signed a 60 year lease on it in 2013, and is in the process of transforming it into a luxury hotel. Consequently, the building is closed to the public, which is a shame, because I would have loved to see the inside.

We spotted a statue of Benjamin Franklin, who served as the first U.S. Postmaster General, in front of the building. We didn't have time to crossover and get a closer look, so we just snapped a quick picture as we passed by.

We walked by the Treasury Building on our way to the White House. It's located at 1500 Pennsylvania Ave, just east of the White House. Construction started in 1836 and wasn't completed until 1869. This building is pictured on the back of the ten-dollar bill.

On our way back from the White House we walked by this statue of Nathan Hale. He is one of Brian's favorite historical figures. There is a statue of Nathan Hale in New York, standing in front of City Hall. We even tried to go see it, but it is inside the restricted area around city hall and there isn't a way to get close to it. It was disappointing to Brian that we couldn't see the NY statue, so it was a pleasant surprise to find one here.

This bronze statue is actually a replica of the original held at Yale University, the university from which Hale graduated. This statue sits on the south side of the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building and depicts a young Captain Hale.

Hale's classmate and patriot spy Benjamin Tallmadge inspired him to become more involved in the Revolutionary War, and so he joined the army. Hale volunteered for a mission in September of 1776, at the age of 21, to go behind British lines in New York City and spy on their movements (a mission specifically requested by George Washington; Hale was the only one to volunteer). Three days after he landed in New York, the city fell to the British and six days after that the Great New York Fire of 1776 started (the fire that destroyed lower Manhattan). During this time, Major Robert Rogers, a member of the British army, recognized Hale in a tavern. This man pretended to be a patriot and got Hale to confess his activities. Rodgers and his men captured Hale and handed him over to British General William Howe. Howe held Hale captive and questioned him, finding physical evidence on Hale's person. Just before he was hanged, Hale said: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

It was fun to run into all these smaller sights as we made our way around the city. It definitely made our experience that much richer.