Eleanor Finch
Constitution Avenue is a major east-west street in Washington, D.C. It was originally known as B Street and was renamed Constitution Avenue in 1931. The avenue runs through the neighbourhoods of Capitol Hill and Kingman Park and is home to several federal departmental headquarters, memorials, and museums. In recent years, Constitution Avenue has been the site of various construction projects, including the widening of the street and the development of the surrounding area. Today, there are many things to do and see near Constitution Avenue, including museums, dining options, and outdoor spaces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Constitution Avenue |
| Former Name | B Street |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Direction | East-West |
| Quadrants | Northwest and Northeast |
| Western Half | Northern border of the National Mall |
| Western Half Endpoints | United States Capitol and Theodore Roosevelt Bridge |
| Eastern Half Neighborhoods | Capitol Hill and Kingman Park |
| Eastern Half Endpoint | Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium |
| Buildings | Federal departmental headquarters, memorials, and museums |
| Recent Events | Army's 250th anniversary parade |
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What You'll Learn
- Constitution Avenue's history, including its previous name, B Street
- The United States Department of Justice, located on Constitution Avenue
- The National Mall, which is bordered by Constitution Avenue
- The Tiber Creek/Washington City Canal, which was filled in to create Constitution Avenue
- CityCenterDC, an outdoor mall located near Constitution Avenue
Constitution Avenue's history, including its previous name, B Street
Constitution Avenue is a major east-west street in the northwest and northeast quadrants of Washington, D.C. It was originally known as B Street and was much smaller and narrower. Its western section was greatly lengthened and widened between 1925 and 1933.
The renewal of B Street became part of the creation of Senate Park, north of the United States Capitol building. Beginning in 1910, Congress started to acquire entire city blocks in this area, intending to build an underground parking garage and a park between the Capitol and Washington Union Station. The question arose as to whether B Street should continue east through this area to connect with B Street NE or end at Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
In 1928, Congress established the Capitol Plaza Commission to help plan and develop this area. By 1930, it became apparent that B Street would be a ceremonial gateway into the national capital city and one of the city's great parade avenues. As such, there were calls to rename the street to reflect its new stature. Legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives to rename the road L'Enfant Avenue, but this was opposed by city officials who suggested Lincoln or Washington Avenue instead.
Representative Henry Allen Cooper of Wisconsin then introduced legislation to rename the street Constitution Avenue, which was eventually passed by both the House and Senate and signed into law by President Herbert Hoover on February 25, 1931. The street received its new name on February 26, 1931, and the widening project began soon after, with the city finalizing its engineering plans. Constitution Avenue's western half now defines the northern border of the National Mall and extends from the United States Capitol to the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge.
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The United States Department of Justice, located on Constitution Avenue
The United States Department of Justice is located on Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC. The building, which was completed in 1935, is bordered by Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues and Ninth and Tenth Streets, Northwest, and holds over 1,000,000 square feet of space.
The Department of Justice was created in 1870 during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. Its functions originally date back to 1789 when Congress created the office of the Attorney General as a part-time position. Over time, the role of the Attorney General expanded, and in 1867, the House Committee on the Judiciary conducted an inquiry into the creation of a "law department" headed by the Attorney General. The following year, Congressman William Lawrence introduced a bill in Congress to establish the Department of Justice, which was signed into law by President Grant on June 22, 1870.
The immediate function of the Department of Justice was to preserve civil rights and fight against domestic terrorist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, who were using violence and litigation to oppose the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. During the early years of Grant's first term, there were 1,000 indictments against Klan members, with over 550 convictions from the Department of Justice. By 1871, the number of indictments had increased to 3,000, with 600 convictions.
Today, the mission of the Department of Justice, as stated on its official website, is to "enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans."
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The National Mall, which is bordered by Constitution Avenue
The National Mall is a landscaped grass lawn that stretches from the US Capitol Building to the Washington Monument Grounds, approximately a mile to the west. The National Mall, which is bordered by Constitution Avenue on its north side and Independence Avenue to the south, is one of the most symbolic and significant places in America. It is visited by approximately 24 million people each year, making it America's most-visited national park.
The National Mall was conceived in 1791, modified in 1902, and constructed, for the most part, in 1932-36. It was designed by Pierre L'Enfant, who envisioned a garden-lined "grand avenue" approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) in length and 400 feet (120 m) wide, in an area that would lie between the Congress House (now the US Capitol) and an equestrian statue of George Washington. The statue would be placed directly south of the President's House (now the White House) and directly west of the Congress House. The National Mall's width varies between 300 feet (91 m) and 656 feet (200 m).
The National Mall is a significant space for public gatherings and events, where constitutional rights of speech and peaceful assembly are expressed. It has been the setting for national conversations, from protests of soldiers seeking their World War I pensions to citizens advocating for their civil rights. The Mall plays host to events of all sizes almost every week, including political demonstrations and cultural celebrations.
The National Mall is bordered by several museums, art galleries, cultural institutions, memorials, sculptures, and statues. Notable landmarks include the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the National Gallery of Art. The Mall also contains museums of the Smithsonian Institution, such as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
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The Tiber Creek/Washington City Canal, which was filled in to create Constitution Avenue
Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., was created by filling in the Tiber Creek/Washington City Canal. The canal operated from 1815 until the mid-1850s, connecting the Anacostia River (then called the "Eastern Branch") to Tiber Creek, the Potomac River, and later the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal.
The Washington City Canal fell into disuse in the late 19th century, and the city government covered over or filled in various sections in the 1870s. The Tiber Creek portion of the canal was filled in at the direction of Alexander "Boss" Shepherd, the city's director of Public Works, who oversaw a series of infrastructure improvements, including grading and paving streets, planting trees, installing sewers, and laying out parks. The new street constructed over the canal was initially designated as B Street NW and was later renamed Constitution Avenue NW.
The Lockkeeper's House, built in 1837 near the present-day intersection of 17th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, was preserved and is now the oldest building on the National Mall. The house is a reminder that a canal once flowed through D.C.
Today, Constitution Avenue is a bustling thoroughfare in the heart of Washington, D.C. While the canal no longer exists, its legacy lives on in the avenue's name and the buildings that line it, including the Internal Revenue Service Building, which is partially built on wooden piers sunk into the former creek bed.
On a separate note, there was a military parade on Constitution Avenue celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary. The parade featured tanks, drawing visitors from near and far, and the avenue was mostly open to pedestrians and cyclists the next day as crews worked to restore normalcy.
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CityCenterDC, an outdoor mall located near Constitution Avenue
CityCenterDC is an outdoor mall located near Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. It is a vibrant neighbourhood development with a mix of condominiums, apartments, offices, public spaces, hotels, restaurants, and shops. The mall boasts over 40 shops, including high-end brands such as Chanel, Hermes, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany. There are also various dining options, including Piccolina, Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee, Momofuku, Milk Bar, and Fig & Olive.
The mall is easily accessible by public transport, with two nearby Metro stops: Mount Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center (Yellow and Green lines) and Gallery Place-Chinatown (Yellow, Green, and Red lines). The DC Circulator’s Georgetown-Union Station route also stops in front of the mall at New York Avenue and 9th Street. There is also a parking garage located directly underneath the mall, and most restaurants offer valet services.
CityCenterDC is known for its sleek white exterior and network of breezeways, making it easy for shoppers to walk from store to store. The development takes up several city blocks and has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. It is a great place to visit for shopping, dining, and entertainment, with something to offer for everyone.
In addition to the wide range of shops and restaurants, CityCenterDC also hosts various events and activities throughout the year. For example, visitors can celebrate the arrival of spring with a photo underneath the iconic pink lanterns or participate in a Father's Day celebration. With its convenient location, world-class shopping and dining options, and vibrant atmosphere, CityCenterDC has become a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the nation's capital.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitution Avenue is a major east-west street in Washington, D.C.
Constitution Avenue was originally known as B Street.
The street was renamed to reflect its significance and history, as it was once a river and played a crucial role in the city's development.
There are plenty of things to do near Constitution Avenue, including visiting museums, dining at CityCenterDC, and exploring the history of the area.
Yes, many federal departmental headquarters, memorials, and museums line Constitution Avenue, including the Internal Revenue Service Building and the United States Department of Justice.
