Uploaded April 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Intended to commemorate the first US president, George Washington, the Washington Memorial was originally designed to be a four-sided pillar surrounded by a circular colonnade, topped with a statue of George Washington on a chariot. The Civil War halted construction of the monument, and then when building recommenced, so did arguments about its design. One person said the monument looked like "a stalk of asparagus." New designs were considered to alter the monument. Ultimately, the colonnade and statue were abandoned, and the proportions of the monument were changed to resemble a classical Egyptian obelisk, which is how it looks today. The Washington Monument may look a little odd, but that's part of what makes it such an interesting photography subject and memorable sight.
Intended to commemorate the first US president, George Washington, the Washington Memorial was originally designed to be a four-sided pillar surrounded by a circular colonnade, topped with a statue of George Washington on a chariot. The Civil War halted construction of the monument, and then when building recommenced, so did arguments about its design. One person said the monument looked like "a stalk of asparagus." New designs were considered to alter the monument. Ultimately, the colonnade and statue were abandoned, and the proportions of the monument were changed to resemble a classical Egyptian obelisk, which is how it looks today. The Washington Monument may look a little odd, but that's part of what makes it such an interesting photography subject and memorable sight.
