Capitol hill History, Travel Information, Facts And More
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PERSONAL INFORMATION
NAME
Capitol hill
COUNTRY
America
ADDRESS
Washington, DC, United States
CAPITOL HILL PICTURE
More Information
About Capitol hill
Located in southeast D.C., Capitol Hill is one of the oldest residential areas in the region. President Washington selected the area that is now the District of Columbia to serve as the nation's capital. It is also very densely populated. It is a popular site for tourists and visitors who wish a peek into American history. It has many attractions nearby and over 40 venues for munching and resting.
Some Lesser Known Facts About Capitol hill
- The city planner, L'Enfant chose the site for "Congress house" in his 1791 plan and called the hill "Jenkins hill". It housed the Congress, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the district courts, and other offices. In 1793, President Washington named it Capitol Hill.
- Its popular landmarks include the Senate and House office buildings, the Supreme Court building, the Library of Congress, the Marine Barracks, the Washington Navy Yard, and Congressional Cemetery. The residential neighborhood was largely comprised of houses in different styles and from different periods with elements combining Richardsonian Romanesque, Queen Anne, and Eastlakian motifs.
- With the rise in the economy, the region saw many old buildings replaced and some restored. It was a time of much construction and development. Today, there are numerous schools in the vicinity as well, like Brent Elementary School, the main primary school, St. Peter's School on Capitol Hill, the only Catholic school, Capitol Hill Day School, Stuart-Hobson Middle School, etc.
- The Capitol building has around 540 rooms and has 658 windows. There is a crypt two stories below the Capitol rotunda but no one was ever buried in it. It was decided after the passing of George Washington that he be buried in the Capitol but Washington had requested he be laid to rest in his Virginia home, Mount Vernon.
- The Christ Church is the oldest Episcopal Church in the city. It has hosted famous worshippers such as presidents James Madison and James Monroe, and famed marching band composer John Philip Sousa.
- The Eastern market is famous for its diverse crowds and the amiable vibe. It was unfortunately destroyed in a fire not once but twice. Once in the year 2007, resulting in a restoration worth a whopping $22 million, and once before that, in the year 1814 when the British troops burned parts of Washington. It remained unused for over 5 decades and finally opened in 1873.
- The library of Congress contains about 164 million items on 838 miles of shelving. Talk about a reader?s paradise! There are 38 million books and other printed materials, 3.6 million recordings, 14 million photographs, and 5.5 million maps. The library has a program for kids and learning teenagers. It remains open during the week with featured readings, events, and activities for the young ones to learn.
- The Bartholdi Fountain is an iconic centerpiece in Bartholdi Park. It is approx. 30 feet high and lies across Independence Avenue from U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory. It was created by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the man who would later create the Statue of Liberty.
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