Federal architecture in Washington
Federal architecture is a restrained classical manner with flat wall surfaces, fanlights over the door and delicate ornament around openings and mantels. It was current in the United States roughly from 1780 to 1830.
The stops that carry a construction date run from 1794 to 1831. 11 stops, 2.0 miles end to end. Of the stops, 5 are National Historic Landmarks.
Distances are straight lines between the coordinates in the National Park Service Register data, so the walk on the street will be longer. Nobody has walked or checked this as a route, and a listing does not mean a place is open to visitors. Stops last changed Sep 18, 2026.
All walking tours in Washington → · Every listing in Washington →
Map
Coordinates come from the National Park Service National Register spatial data, or from Wikidata where the spatial data has no point. The solid line joins the stops in walking order and is not a street route. Listings with a restricted address in the Register are never mapped and never become stops. Data refreshed November 02, 2026.
Walking order
- 1The OctagonNHL1799 New York Ave., NWBuilding · built 1799 · listed 1966start
- 2Ringgold-Carroll House1801 F St., NW.Building · listed 1973498 ft from stop 1
- 3Winder Building604 17th St., NW.Building · listed 19690.1 mi from stop 2
- 4Blair HouseNHL1651 Pennsylvania Ave., NWBuilding · built 1824 · listed 19660.1 mi from stop 3
- 5Decatur HouseNHL748 Jackson Pl., NW.Building · built 1818 · listed 1966481 ft from stop 4
- 62000 Block of Eye Street, NWSouth side of 2000 block of Eye St., NW.Building · built 1831 · listed 19770.4 mi from stop 5
- 7Arts Club of WashingtonNHL2017 I St., NW.Building · built 1802 · listed 1969511 ft from stop 6
- 8John Stoddert Haw House2808 N St., NW.Building · listed 19730.7 mi from stop 7
- 9Isaac Owens House2806 N St., NW.Building · listed 1973same block from stop 8
- 10Newton D. Baker HouseNHL3017 N St., NWBuilding · built 1794 · listed 19760.1 mi from stop 9
- 11City Tavern3206 M St., NW.Building · listed 19920.2 mi from stop 10
2.0 straight-line miles over 10 legs.
Taking it along
- Download the route as GPXFor a handheld GPS or a phone app
- Open all 11 stops in Google MapsSet the mode to walking once it opens
- Open the first stop in Apple MapsThe Apple Maps web link carries one destination, so this is stop 1 only
Other walks in Washington
- Beaux-Arts architecture in Washington15 stops · 1.7 milesBeaux-Arts is the grand classical manner taught at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, with paired columns, sculpted swags and monumental stairs. The Washington examples on this route went up between 1901 and 1926.
- Neoclassical architecture in Washington11 stops · 1.7 milesNeoclassical buildings borrow the columns, pediments and symmetry of Greek and Roman temples. The Washington examples on this route went up between 1902 and 1928.
- Renaissance Revival architecture in Washington11 stops · 2.0 milesRenaissance Revival draws on the Italian palazzo, with a rusticated ground floor, round arched windows and a strong horizontal cornice. The Washington examples on this route went up between 1836 and 1927.
- Art Deco architecture in Washington10 stops · 2.1 milesArt Deco uses stepped massing, vertical piers and flat geometric ornament in stone, metal and terra cotta. The Washington examples on this route went up between 1927 and 1941.
- Houses and mansions in Washington15 stops · 1.8 milesThe route links houses built between 1765 and 1925. Many are private homes and the stops are meant to be seen from the sidewalk.
Local history books for Washington
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Guidebooks to historic places in Washington, D.C.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.