Plan of the City of Washington

This map showing the plan for the city of Washington, D.C. was published by John Reid (also referred to as I. Reid) around 1795, during George Washington's presidency. Though President Washington asked French-born architect Pierre Charles L'Enfant to design the new capital, L'Enfant clashed with many important stakeholders, including Thomas Jefferson, and eventually resigned his position. City planners consequently implemented the plan of surveyor Andrew Ellicott, depicted in this map. Ellicott's design very closely mirrored that of his predecessor, but L'Enfant did not receive any credit or payment for his contribution. Renewed interest in beautifying the nation's capital in the early 20th century, however, led to the revitalization of L'Enfant's vision, especially his plan for a "public walk," which became the National Mall.