Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A House Shaped Like a Stop Sign
When Colonel John Tayloe the Third built his townhouse in 1799, he didn't go for a standard rectangle. He built the Octagon House. As the name suggests, its unique shape is its de…
Read the story
When Colonel John Tayloe the Third built his townhouse in 1799, he didn't go for a standard rectangle. He built the Octagon House. As the name suggests, its unique shape is its defining feature, making it one of the grandest and most unusual homes from the late Federalist era.
It even features decorative Coade stone imported all the way from England. The house is so significant that it served as the temporary home for President James Madison and First Lady Dolley Madison in 1814. It's a National Historic Landmark that proves sometimes the best way to stand out in the neighborhood is to add a few extra corners.
Updated June 2026