Washington, D.C. – L’Enfant’s Original Mall Plan (1791)
Washington, D.C. – L’Enfant’s Original Mall Plan (1791)
Explore the founding vision of the United States capital with this authoritative map of the National Mall based on Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s original 1791 plan for Washington, D.C. Preserved and reproduced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1901, this historic document captures the monumental design intended to express the power, order, and ideals of the new republic.
Historical Context In 1791, Pierre Charles L’Enfant was commissioned by President George Washington to design a new federal capital that would embody the authority and aspirations of the United States. Rejecting the irregular growth of European capitals, L’Enfant envisioned a grand, symbolic city organized around broad avenues, sweeping vistas, and carefully aligned monuments. At the heart of this design was the National Mall—a formal civic space linking the Capitol and the President’s House and anchoring the nation’s political core.
This map reflects that original vision as preserved by federal authorities more than a century later. Produced in 1901 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for official government reporting, it faithfully reproduces and enlarges L’Enfant’s plan at a moment when Washington was re-embracing its founding design during the City Beautiful movement.
The Map’s Features This early federal planning map presents the National Mall and surrounding city plan with striking clarity, emphasizing L’Enfant’s axial geometry and monumental layout. The map shows the alignment of the Capitol, President’s House, and major avenues; the formal Mall corridor; radial streets intersecting a rectilinear grid; and the intended relationship between civic spaces, public buildings, and open ground. Its clean composition highlights Washington not as an organic city, but as a deliberately designed seat of national power.
Historical Significance L’Enfant’s plan remains one of the most influential urban designs in American history. Although modified over time, its core principles continue to define Washington, D.C. today. This map preserves that original intent, offering a rare opportunity to study the capital as it was meant to be—an ordered, symbolic landscape expressing democratic authority and national unity. For historians and collectors, it represents the moment when American political ideals were first translated into physical form.
Museum-Quality Reproduction This is a high-quality reproduction of the 1901 federal preservation of Pierre L’Enfant’s original city plan, professionally printed using museum-grade methods and materials to preserve every detail of this foundational document. Each piece is produced on archival Hahnemühle paper using the Giclée printing process, ensuring exceptional clarity, durability, and a refined finish suitable for display.
Perfect For American history and early republic collectors; architectural and urban planning enthusiasts; educators and students of federal history; offices, libraries, and study spaces; gifts for those interested in the origins of Washington, D.C.
Specifications
• Original Design: 1791 (publication says 1790 but later correct it to 1791)
• Publication: 1901
• Publisher: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Office of Public Buildings and Grounds
• Style: Early federal city planning map
• Features: National Mall layout, axial design, monumental geometry, foundational city plan
• Product Type: High-Quality Reproduction Print
• Dimensions (Width x Height): 29.5 x 20.6
Each map is printed using the finest materials and methods. Your map will be handled with white gloves from start to finish. We use the Giclée printing method on Hahnemühle paper, which produces a clear, extremely detailed, durable map perfect for proud display in your home or office.
Digital watermark does not appear on your purchased map.
