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Washington, D.C., District of Columbia / Public art

Equestrian statue of John A. Logan

A grand 25-foot bronze equestrian statue of General John A. Logan, serving as the focal point of the historic Logan Circle neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

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Equestrian statue of John A. Logan
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Where is the Equestrian statue of John A. Logan located?

The statue stands in the center of Logan Circle, a public park and traffic circle in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Northwest Washington, D.C., at the intersection of 13th Street, P Street, Rhode Island Avenue, and Vermont Avenue.

What is the Equestrian statue of John A. Logan known for?

It is a bronze equestrian statue depicting John A. Logan in full Civil War uniform on a forward-striding horse. The monument is one of 18 Civil War monuments in Washington, D.C., listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Who designed the monument?

The memorial was designed by American sculptor Franklin Simmons, with a base designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt.

What are the features of the statue's pedestal?

The bronze and granite pedestal features allegorical figures representing War and Peace, as well as relief panels illustrating scenes from Logan's life and career.

When was the statue dedicated?

The statue was dedicated on April 9, 1901, in a ceremony attended by President William McKinley.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Equestrian statue of John A. Logan is a monumental bronze sculpture located in the center of Logan Circle, a public park and traffic circle in Northwest Washington. Designed by American sculptor Franklin Simmons with a base created by architect Richard Morris Hunt, the memorial was dedicated on April 9, 1901, in a ceremony attended by President William McKinley. The statue depicts General Logan in full Civil War uniform astride a forward-striding horse, sword in hand, symbolizing his leadership and influence as a soldier, politician, and advocate for veterans. Standing approximately 25 feet high, the monument rests on a tall bronze and granite pedestal. This base is adorned with allegorical figures representing War and Peace, as well as relief panels illustrating scenes from Logan's life and career. Interestingly, some of these reliefs were initially viewed as historically inaccurate, leading to a minor public uproar. However, Logan's widow, Mary, explained that these depictions were intended to be illustrative rather than literal historical records. As one of eighteen Civil War monuments in Washington, D.C., the statue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The surrounding area, originally known as Iowa Circle, was renamed by Congress in 1930 to honor Logan, who was also a brief resident of the neighborhood. The memorial now serves as a focal point for the Logan Circle Historic District, surrounded by lawns, trees, and historic late 19th-century residences.

Visitor tips

  • Be cautious when crossing the traffic circle to reach the central park area.
  • Walk around the perimeter of the circle to admire the surrounding late 19th-century residences.
  • Look closely at the relief panels on the pedestal to find the illustrative scenes of Logan's career.

Nearby context

The statue is located at the intersection of 13th Street, P Street, Rhode Island Avenue, and Vermont Avenue. It is a central piece of the Logan Circle Historic District and also contributes to the 14th Street Historic District, placing it in a vibrant neighborhood known for its high-end architecture and historic rowhouses.

Sources

Evidence and links