The Washington Monument is the tallest structure in Washington DC standing at 169.24 meters and located west of the National Mall. The monument was built in commemoration of the founding father of the country General George Washington for his military leadership in the American War for Independence. Its construction started in 1848 and ended in 1884. The following are highlights that define the Washington Monument: • The architectural design was provided by Robert Mills, whose original obelisk design was to include a colonnade on which a statue of Washington in a chariot would stand. Inside the colonnade on display would have been thirty other statues of prominent War Heroes. Robert Mills also designed the U.S. Patent Office building and Department of Treasury building.
• The monument was officially opened to the public on October 9, 1888.
• The Washington Monument was built at a cost of $ 1,187,710 which was mainly gotten through donations.
• Entrance to the monument is free, but a person is required to have a ticket to gain entrance.
• The stairs to the top are no longer accessible and visitors have to use the elevator which takes approximately 70 seconds to reach the top. The Washington Monument is a valued treasure in the history of the nation Visit it and get to learn more about the birth of the nation.