Plan of the west end

Title

Plan of the west end

Description

Benjamin Latrobe drew a plan for the layout of a national university on the Mall while he was Surveyor to the Capitol building. He may have been inspired to do so by President James Madison's mention of the idea of creating a national university in his December 1815 address to Congress, but the idea was first put forth by George Washington in the 1790s. Latrobe had even spoken with Washington on the subject in 1796. The plan puts the university grounds just east of 15th street, partly standing on what today is the Washington Monument Grounds.

Creator

Benjamin Henry Latrobe

Date

1816

Source

Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. View original.

Coverage

1800-1829

Extent

32 x 47 centimeters

Theme

design & monuments

ghost mall