Plans for the Future Capital District

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Plans for the Future Capital District (74)

Thomas Jefferson. Map of the Capital District, 1791. Manuscript map. Thomas Jefferson Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (74)
[Digital ID# us0074]

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This plan for the United States capital district, which became known as Washington or the District of Columbia, was drawn by Thomas Jefferson in 1791. As secretary of state, Jefferson was one of the leaders in planning the capital district. Jefferson’s rough map shows the Capitol and president’s house before final placement decisions were made. The federal government did not move to Washington until November 1800.