Did you know that the original plan of the city of Washington was made by a Frenchman?

[Julie4]

Born in Paris in 1754, he studied engineering and architecture. He followed General Lafayette and took part in the American War of Independence against the British, where he was heroically wounded on the battlefield. After the war, he settled down as an architect and built New York's first city hall.


Later, a competition was launched to design the future capital of the United States. This non-existent city was to be built from scratch on the banks of the Potoma River. It was to be called "Federal City", and later renamed Washington. The French architect took his inspiration from Versailles. He wanted an airy city, less monotonous than all the American cities built with parallel avenues and streets. Work began in 1791.

But Pierre Charles l'Enfant was not to remain at the head of the project for long. After just two years, he was fired because of his appalling character, which the Americans could no longer tolerate. He left with all his uncopied plans. From then on, the city developed in a rather anarchic fashion, with no real city center. L'Enfant fights for compensation, but doesn't get it. He lived in extreme poverty for the rest of his life, and died in 1825, leaving $46 to his heirs.

But his glory was posthumous. In the early 20th century, his plans were rediscovered. It was then decided to build the National Mall as he had conceived it. An immense esplanade stretching almost three kilometers from the Capitol to the Potomac River, passing in front of the White House. This immense park was to become the most famous lawn in the world.

In the wake of this construction, Pierre Charles L'Enfant's remains were transferred to Arlington Cemetery. His tomb stands at the top of the cemetery, facing the perspective he had imagined.

[AviatorTom]

Yes I knew that. That's why L'Enfant Plaza can be found in Southwest DC, an area of commercial buildings named after the district's architect.

Wikipedia: L'Enfant Plaza

[KostasKouvalis]

I am aware, yes. But it makes me wonder how many Americans know this fact, and it makes me wonder if there's something else the French did that I don't know about

[purplepoppy]

But isn't nearly every American city plan just a boring grid based upon a waffle?

[purplepoppy]

Plus Washington was of French stock himself

[WhiteBoyChill]

George Washington was British

[purplepoppy]

Yes but of a long line of French ancestory. He was more French than British

[Julie4]

His heart must have been more British than French, considering what he did during the Seven Years' War lol

[WhiteBoyChill]

@purplepoppy He aspired to be a British general originally and he only revolted out of personal vengeance

[purplepoppy]

Once a frog always a frog

[DarkLegacy]

I thought it was a British city named after the town Washington in North East England.

[purplepoppy]

The Washington family were Norman oppressors who gave their name to that part of NE England. It's also where the American Eagle comes from and many argue the stars and stripes but not the city plans

[DarkLegacy]

@purplepoppy Cool

[QuietRunner]

yes I knew that already

[RavVid]

Fascinating!