Bulfinch Gate House (17th Street)
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia
Marker Inscription
Bulfinch Gate House erected about 1828 under direction of Charles Bulfinch, architect of the Capitol, this gate house stood until 1874 with another (now at 17th and Constitution Avenue) at the west entrance to the Capitol grounds.
Erected by National Capital Sesquicentennial Commission
The Story
Around 1828, architect Charles Bulfinch—then completing the United States Capitol—oversaw construction of a pair of small gate houses guarding the western entrance to the Capitol grounds. The structure marked here stood until 1874; its companion survives today near 17th Street and Constitution Avenue.
Why it matters
These modest structures are rare surviving fragments of Bulfinch's original design for the seat of the young republic's government.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- National Museum of African American History and Culture0.1 mi away · 1400 Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC
- National Museum of American History0.2 mi away · 1300 Constitution Avenue Northwest
- National Children's Museum0.3 mi away · 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC
- DAR Museum0.3 mi away · 1776 D Street Northwest, Washington, DC
- Old Post Office Tower and Museum0.3 mi away
- U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum0.4 mi away · 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place Southwest, Washington, DC
Attractions
- Washington Monument0.2 mi away · 2 15th Street Northwest, Washington, DC
- Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain0.3 mi away
- Lockkeeper's House0.3 mi away · DC
- World War II Memorial0.4 mi away · 1964 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, DC
- White House Peace Vigil0.5 mi away
- Almas Temple0.7 mi away · 1315 K Street Northwest
Food & drink
- Sweet Home Cafe0.1 mi away · 1400 Constitution Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC
- Au Bon Pain0.2 mi away
- Panera Bread0.2 mi away · 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC
- Dream Big0.2 mi away
- Refreshments0.2 mi away
- Timgad0.3 mi away · 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC
Places to stay
- JW Marriott0.3 mi away · 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC
- Hotel Washington0.3 mi away · 515 15th Street Northwest, Washington, DC
- Willard InterContinental Hotel0.3 mi away · 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC
- Waldorf Astoria Washington DC0.4 mi away · 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC
- Hotel Harrington0.4 mi away · 436 11th Street Northwest, Washington, DC
- Sofitel Lafayette Square0.6 mi away · 806 15th Street Northwest
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · Charles Bulfinch
Themes & tags
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Bulfinch Gate House (15th Street)
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Around 1828, under architect Charles Bulfinch, two small gate houses were raised at the west entrance to the United States Capitol grounds. The structure marked here stood until 1874; its mate now stands near 15th Street and Constitution Avenue.
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