Constitution Gardens

The Washington City Canal, built along the route of Tiber Creek from the Potomac River on the north side of the Mall to the Anacostia River near Navy Yard, opened to traffic.

The ‘Washington Branch’ extension of the C&O Canal extends its eastern terminus a mile and a half further from Georgetown, connecting with the western terminus of the Washington City Canal at the mouth of the Tiber Creek.

Sometime between 1831-1837, depending on sources, the C&O Canal Company constructs a two and a half story stone house to serve as the gate house and quarters for the lockkeeper for the canal lock connecting the C&O Canal and the Washington City Canal.

By the 1850s, due to increased reliance on rail transportation for goods, the Civil War, and the use of the canal as a sewage and storm drain, the Washington City Canal fell into disuse and disrepair. Because of siltation and odors, portions of the Washington City Canal were covered over and others filled in. The height of the Lockkeeper's House was reduced to one-and-a-half stories.

The Army Corps of Engineers conduct several land reclamation projects on the Potomac River and as a by-product of dredging, the area that is the National Mall is extended west of the Washington Monument.

B Street North (now Constitution Avenue) was built on top of the main length of the covered and filled-in Washington City Canal between 15th Street and Virginia Ave NW. This leaves the Lockkeepers’ House at the southwest corner of the intersection at B Street North and 17th Street.

B Street NW extended through the newly created West Potomac Park between Virginia Ave. NW and 23rd St. NW.

On the suggestion of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the federal government built two large temporary structures, the Main Navy and Munitions Buildings, on the Constitution Gardens site along the southern side of B Street between 17th and 21st Streets.

President Herbert Hoover signs into law a public resolution renaming B Street North as Constitution Avenue.

During WWII, more temporary buildings were built just south of the Navy and Munitions Buildings (buildings “Tempo W” and “Tempo N”). Elevated pedestrian bridges were constructed across the Reflecting Pool to join them with temporary buildings on the opposite side (Tempos I, J, K, and L).

President Richard Nixon announces that the Navy and Munitions buildings would be demolished.

The Navy and Munitions buildings are demolished.

President Richard Nixon announces the creation of a formal park to pay tribute to the American Revolution and founding of the Republic.

Construction of Constitution Gardens officially begins with designers Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, Inc. at the helm.

Constitution Gardens is dedicated as an American Revolution Bicentennial Project.

Constitution Gardens is officially dedicated.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is added to Constitution Gardens.

The 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial is dedicated, 208 years after the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence.

President Ronald Reagan issues a proclamation in honor of the bicentennial anniversary of the United States Constitution, designating the gardens as a living legacy dedicated to the commemoration of the United States Constitution.

The World War II Memorial is constructed; part of the Memorial’s landscape lies within the Constitution Gardens area (Garden of Remembrance).

Restoration projects begin on Constitution Gardens in preparation for the semiquincentennial.