The other Washington Monument (MD)

On the way home from Annapolis Rocks (below), we stopped at the original Washington Monument to learn some more history, climb the dark stone stairs to the top, and soak up one more view. The monument was originally built in 1827 and was the first to honor the iconic president. (The more famous obelisk in DC was not even started until more than 20 years later.) Remarkably, about 500 townsfolk gathered at the site on the 4^th of July, 1827, and built the first 15 feet in a day, then increased it to 30 feet that fall. Neglect, vandalism and the elements took their toll over the ensuing years, until the CCC rebuilt the tower in the 1930s. Well worth a visit.

From atop the monument.