The Washington Monument L’Enfant’s initial framework ... After the groundbreaking ceremony in 1848, the endeavor quickly ran into problems that further stalled completion for decades.

The city was known as Columbia until 1791 when it was named in Washington’s honor. July 4, 1848: The cornerstone of the monument is laid with great fanfare. Within the 24,500 pound marble ...

Like the Thalians, the Washington Monument itself has also "been through it," as the kids say. Construction began in 1848 but stopped in 1854 when the group in charge of the project ran out of money.