On July 17, 1790, the US Congress announced that a swampy, muddy, mosquito-infested plot of land on the Potomac River would be the permanent US capital. Today, Pierre L’Enfant is celebrated as the chief architect and city planner. He is memorialized with locations like L’Enfant Plaza and restaurants bearing his name. However, his grand vision was not realized in his lifetime, though city planners continue to develop it today.
Getting There
Location: Washington DC
Transport: Regan National Airport (closest to the city), or you can fly into Dulles. Other cities on the East coast, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, etc can also work. Amtrak has a rapid Acela train that is fast and convenient. Once in DC, the Metro subway system is easy to navigate.
Who was Pierre L'Enfant?
Pierre Charles L’Enfant was born in Paris in 1754. He studied under his father, an artist, at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture.
Many people know the Marquis de Lafayette as “America’s Famous Fightin’ Frenchman” (per the musical Hamilton) but Lafayette didn’t come alone. In 1776, L’Enfant left France to serve in the Revolutionary war, first with French Colonial Troops under Lafayette.
Later, he fought for the US Continental Army. In 1779, L’Enfant was wounded at the Siege of Savannah. He was captured by the British and spent 6 months as a prisoner of war.
L’Enfant served on Washington’s staff at Valley Forge, often sketching the future President. Therefore, Washington knew his talents well when he selected L’Enfant to design the new capital in 1790.
L’Enfant’s design for the capital included the centerpiece National Mall that stretched for 2 miles from the Capital Building, past the Washington Monument, down to the Lincoln Memorial at the River. He placed Congress at the highest point in the city, representing the power of the people and not a single ruler as was customary in most countries. Public squares and parks were located throughout the city, giving access to all citizens and not just the select few at the top.
L'Enfant's Plan for DC Begins to Unravel
L’Enfant clashed with city commissioners and wealthy landowners after demolishing a large estate to build one of his grand avenues. He also held back publishing the lot plan for fear land speculators would buy up all the plots, which they did not appreciate.
Later, the city surveyor presented a plan suspiciously similar to L’Enfant’s and lots were put up for sale.
Furious, L’Enfant resigned. Sadly, he never got credit for the design and he was never paid. Despite his success as an architect, he died in poverty in 1825. At the time of his death, the city was far from complete, and his grand vision was not yet fully realized.
Legacy and Rediscovery
Nearly 100 years after his death, in 1901, the Senate established a commission to update the capital based on L’Enfant’s original plans, The effort was a grand success and revived his memory. Even today, DC city planners consult L’Enfant’s Washington DC plan. Work continues to fully realize his vision while meeting demands of a modern city.
L’Enfant was originally buried on a friend’s farm in Maryland. In 1908, the DC Board of Commissioners petitioned to have L’Enfant’s body relocated to Arlington National Cemetery, where it rests today. L’Enfant’s tomb overlooks the city from its vantage point.
More to See in L'Enfant's DC
While you’re exploring Pierre L’Enfant’s Washington DC, make sure to stop by the Smithsonian Museum of American History to see the flag that inspired our national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.
Learn more about this historic flag and the history of the flag itself in THIS post.
L’Enfant’s design for the city keeps coming back as city planners look to implement his vision, so history really does repeat itself! Show you’re clued in on its repetitive nature with this fun original design.
