10. DC's Hidden Language Cryptos Pike Washington_Monuments.m4a
This topic explores the esoteric connections and historical mysteries embedded within the architecture and monuments of Washington, D.C., suggesting that organizations like the Freemasons have left their "imprint on the world." Key sections detail the controversy and influence of Albert Pike, a prominent Freemason, and examine various statues dedicated to George Washington, particularly the controversial "American Zeus" statue that links him to Greco-Roman deification. Furthermore, the source investigates several stone and metal structures—including the "Kryptos" sculpture at the CIA headquarters, the Vox Populi columns, and the design and construction of the Washington Monument—highlighting symbolic elements and the persistent rumors of secret societies influencing American history and civic design.
When you picture Washington, D.C., you likely see the iconic images: the gleaming white dome of the Capitol, the stoic gaze of Lincoln in his memorial, and the sharp point of the Washington Monument piercing the sky. These structures are symbols of American history, projecting an image of timeless authority and democratic grandeur. But look closer. Beneath this grand, well-known facade lie bizarre, forgotten, and truly surprising stories literally carved into the city's stone.
These are not dusty footnotes in a history book; they are tales of scandal, artistic controversy, and unsolved mysteries hidden in plain sight. From sacred cathedrals harboring Sith Lords to revered presidents depicted as half-naked gods, the stone and steel of the capital hold secrets that challenge our perception of these national landmarks. This article will reveal four of the most incredible stories behind D.C.’s famous (and not-so-famous) structures, uncovering the strange history etched into the city's very foundation.
Following the death of George Washington, a quasi-deification of the first president swept the nation. Eager to capture this sentiment, Congress commissioned sculptor Horatio Greenough in 1832 to create the "ultimate statue of Washington" for the Capitol rotunda. What they got, however, was not what anyone expected.
Eight years later, Greenough unveiled his masterpiece: Washington patterned after the colossal statue of the Greek god Zeus at Olympia, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The sculpture showed the revered president shirtless, "in a toga and his torso naked as a proverbial jaybird." The public, accustomed to seeing the dignified and fully-clothed "Father of His Country," was appalled. The throne itself was ornate, featuring depictions of the Greek gods Helios and Hercules. But it wasn't enough to distract from the central figure. Author Nathaniel Hawthorne perfectly captured the public's shock:
"I imagine he was born with his clothes on, and his hair powdered, and made a stately bow on his first appearance in the world."
The controversy was only part of the problem. Weighing more than twenty tons, the statue was ultimately determined to be too heavy and dangerous for the floor of the Capitol rotunda. After a brief and embarrassing stint outside, it was finally hauled off to the National Museum of American History, where it can be found to this day, "lurking in an alcove" and offering a solemn blessing to an escalator.
The Washington Monument we know today—a clean, elegant obelisk—is the product of a long and troubled history. The original plan, designed by Robert Mills, was far more elaborate and, frankly, bizarre. It featured a 600-foot obelisk rising from a massive, circular Greek-style temple, or pantheon, which would have included a statue of Washington driving a horse-drawn chariot. Aesthetically, the ambitious design was considered "a nightmare."
Fundraising was slow, relying partly on a campaign for states and organizations to contribute inscribed memorial stones. This led to a major scandal when Pope Pius IX donated a block of marble from the Temple of Concord in Rome. In 1854, members of the anti-Catholic Nativist party, known as the "Know-Nothings," broke into the construction yard, stole the "Pope's Stone," and are rumored to have dumped it into the Potomac. They then seized control of the Monument Society through a rigged election.