The American Elm that Grew Along with America

Historical marker location:

900 Constitution Avenue Northwest, The National Mall, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Constitution Avenue Northwest (U.S. 50) west of 7th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east.)

The city was built on a swamp: The area that is now Washington, D.C. was originally a swampy, marshy region along the Potomac River. The construction of the city involved extensive drainage and landfill projects to make the land suitable for building.