This 1941 plan shows another National Mall through Capitol Hill
DC’s 1941 master plan is available through the Library of Congress. Published just months before Pearl Harbor, the plan is a fascinating look at the future pre-war planners envisioned.
The National Mall extends eastward to the bank of the Anacostia and dominates the plan. “Semi-public buildings,” parking garages, and much more highway-like Constitution and Independence Avenues line the new Mall. On the other hand, the Southwest quadrant retains its historic street grid and isn’t cut off by I-395.
What else jumps out?
We first ran this post a few years ago, but since the history hasn't changed, we wanted to run it again!
Cross-posted at BeyondDC.