McPherson Square

McPherson Square is a public green space in downtown Washington D.C. situated between K Street and I Street to the north and south. Open lawns surround an equestrian bronze monument on a granite base, with office buildings forming a frame around the perimeter.

The square was included in Pierre L'Enfant's original city plan for Washington D.C. in 1791 as an open gathering space. It was named in honor of Civil War Major General James McPherson in 1881, more than 15 years after his death.

The central bronze equestrian statue depicts James McPherson and was created in 1876 by sculptor Louis Rebisso. The monument was cast using metal from captured weapons, connecting it directly to the Civil War era.

The nearby McPherson Square Metro station connects to the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines with entrance points at Vermont Avenue and 14th Street Northwest. The grounds are walkable and contain benches for resting throughout the space.

The square became a focal point for the Occupy D.C. movement in 2011, with protesters maintaining an encampment through early 2012. This occupation gave the space a role in the broader protest landscape of the nation's capital.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1791

Operator: National Park Service

Part of: L'Enfant Plan

Address: 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Website: https://nps.gov/articles/600230.htm

GPS coordinates: 38.90194,-77.03411

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02