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Lafayette Park (Washington, D.C.)

USA / District of Columbia / Washington / Washington, D.C.

Lafayette Park is a 7 acre (30,000 m²) public park located directly north of the White House on H Street between 15th and 17th Streets, NW. The park and the surrounding structures were designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1970. Planned as part of the pleasure grounds surrounding the Executive Mansion, this park was originally called "President's Park," which is now the name of the larger National Park Service unit.

The park was separated from the White House grounds in 1804 when President Thomas Jefferson had Pennsylvania Avenue cut through. In 1824, the park was officially renamed in honor of General Lafayette of France.

Lafayette Park has been used as a race track, a graveyard, a zoo, a slave market, an encampment for soldiers during the War of 1812, and many political protests and celebrations. Andrew Jackson Downing landscaped Lafayette Park in 1851 in the picturesque style. Today's plan, with its five large statues, dates from the 1930s. In the center stands Clark Mills' equestrian statue of President Andrew Jackson, erected in 1853; in the four corners are statues of foreign-born Revolutionary War heroes: France's General Marquis Gilbert de Lafayette and Major General Comte Jean de Rochambeau; Poland's General Thaddeus Kosciuszko; Prussia's Major General Baron Frederich Wilhelm von Steuben.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   38°53'58"N   77°2'11"W

Comments

  • Taelech (guest)
    Also home to the BOLDEST squirrels in existance. No, really watch your food.
  • Parosh Joseph (guest)
    LOL, you cant be serious. Squirrels?
This article was last modified 8 years ago