Why the Washington Monument is Two-Toned

Photo courtesy of
‘In the Shadow of the Obelisk’
courtesy of ‘william couch’

Did you know that the Washington Monument is the tallest stone structure in the world?

That from the time the cornerstone was laid, it took 40 years, three months and five days for the monument to open? (The original marble became unavailable after a delay. This is why the monument changes color partway up.)

Or that it is now half an inch shorter than in 1884 due to repeated lightning strikes?

Find a wealth of fun facts like these in yesterday’s post on National Parks Traveler.

An area resident since 1997, Donna C. is a DC outsider. When she’s not running her writing and Web business, she’s running around the city, exploring the great outdoors, or trying to figure out how best to go green. See why she loves DC.

7 thoughts on “Why the Washington Monument is Two-Toned”

  1. Not on their list, but another fun fact: when it was completed it was the tallest manmade structure on earth until the Eiffel Tower opened.

  3. I always just tell people it’s the high water mark from “the Great Flood of ’27” – most people get wide-eyed and say “Really???” LOL

  6. Glad you all liked this – and thanks for sharing the additional facts!

    Michael, wonder where in the Smithsonian that cat is?

    EvilAgent, the marble weathered differently over time, hence the color change.

    Andy…I LOVE IT.