The Origin of Arlington’s Name: From Earl to Lee’s Estate
Arlington County is named for a plantation. The plantation was named for a mansion. The mansion was named for an English village.
1840s
The 1840s brought the beginning of some of Washington’s most iconic institutions. The Smithsonian opened its first building on the Mall, work began on the Washington Monument, and the city grew steadily as the nation expanded westward and the slavery debate intensified. These posts explore mid-19th century Washington in all its ambition and conflict.
Washington Monument: Who Designed It, How It Was Built, and Why It Took 36 Years
Construction of the Washington Monument began July 4, 1848 and took 36 years — interrupted by the Civil War and a funding crisis. Here’s the full story of its design, its capstone, and why the bottom third is a different color.