Skip to content
John Ericsson National Memorial, Washington, DC

Photo: Dan Vera, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory Buff

John Ericsson National Memorial

See James Earle Fraser's granite tribute to John Ericsson, the engineer behind the Civil War ironclad USS Monitor, near the Lincoln Memorial.

23rd St SW at Ohio Dr SW and Independence Ave SW · Washington, DC

About John Ericsson National Memorial

This memorial honors John Ericsson, the Swedish-born engineer who developed the screw propeller and designed the iron-plated USS Monitor during the Civil War. Sculptor James Earle Fraser placed a seated Ericsson, 6 feet 5 inches tall, in front of three standing figures that represent adventure, labor and vision. The pink Milford granite memorial is 20 feet high and was dedicated on May 29, 1926. It stands where 23rd Street, Ohio Drive and Independence Avenue SW meet, just south of the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington Memorial Bridge, and is free to visit.

  • #memorial
  • #sculpture
  • #civil war
  • #national mall
  • #free

What's around here?

The closest stops to John Ericsson National Memorial, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Korean War Veterans Memorial

    No admission fee

    Walk among 19 stainless steel soldiers on patrol beside a black granite wall etched with the faces of those who served.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    Steps awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Lincoln Memorial

    No admission fee

    Climb the marble steps where Dr. King spoke and take in the Mall's most moving view, free and open 24 hours.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    Steps awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

    No admission fee

    See Dr. King's 30-foot granite likeness emerge from the Stone of Hope beside the Tidal Basin, ringed by a wall of his words.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    0.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Constitution Gardens

    No admission fee

    A quiet park on the National Mall with a pond and island memorial.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Lady Bird Johnson Park

    No admission fee

    An island park in the Potomac River near the Pentagon, honoring Lady Bird Johnson and featuring spring bulbs, memorials, and river views.

    0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Iconic

    Tidal Basin

    No admission fee

    Walk the path around a 107-acre basin lined with cherry trees, past the Jefferson, FDR and Martin Luther King, Jr. memorials.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors