The Origins of Washington, D.C. – Madison's WordPress

“What did they say to you to get you to sell New York City down the river?” – The Room Where it Happens, the Hamilton Soundtrack.

During the presidency of George Washington, New York was our Nation’s Capital. During his second term, it was moved to Philadelphia, which held the title for ten long years. When Congress passed the Residence Act in 1790, it was then decided that Washington, D.C. would be the final destination for what we know well today.

Washington decided on the Potomac for easy ship navigation, and with what we now know as Georgetown and Alexandria (VA) serving the purpose of port cities. The city has multiple names after prevalent individuals, with the federal territory (District of Columbia) being named after Christopher Columbus, and L’Enfant Plaza being named after Pierre Charles L’Enfant, the planner for the city.

This is an image of the Capitol building prior to it being burned by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812. — Capitol Building before burning, Library of Congress.

The building of the Capitol and the White House were nearly finished when Congress moved, and after the War of 1812, reconstruction occurred for both buildings and many more.