Brevet Lt. General Winfield Scott

The statue at Scott Circle portrays the general mounted on horseback in full field uniform, holding binoculars and facing south toward the White House. The bronze figure rests upon a substantial granite base that extends beneath the entire monument at this intersection of three major avenues.

Erected in 1874, this monument became the first of many Civil War general statues placed throughout Washington's traffic circles and public spaces. Scott's military career spanned from 1808 until 1861, during which he held the highest command position in the United States Army.

The inscription displays Scott's name and rank, honoring his long tenure as the nation's top military officer during a transformative period. Visitors notice how the figure's posture and gaze reflect the authority and responsibility he carried throughout his career.

The monument stands at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue, and 16th Street NW in an accessible public plaza. The surrounding sidewalks allow visitors to walk around all sides of the statue and view it from different angles.

The granite base supporting the statue was the largest single stone ever quarried in the United States at the time of its completion. This remarkable engineering feat reflects the importance placed on Scott and made the monument an exceptional achievement of its era.

GPS coordinates: 38.90724,-77.03653

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:07