“A captivating oasis in the heart of Capitol Hill” That’s how I’d describe Stanton Park. Stanton Park isn’t just a green space. It’s a living testament to Washington DC’s history.
This four-acre park nestled between C Street and 4th and 6th Streets NE is one of the larger Capitol Hill parks. Did you know it was featured on Pierre L’Enfant’s original 1791 city plan? That’s right. Stanton Park was always meant to be here a central part of our nation’s capital.
It’s named after Edwin M Stanton. He was President Lincoln’s Secretary of War during the Civil War. His attempted removal even led to President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment. Quite a legacy for a park’s namesake. But here’s a twist. The statue at the center of Stanton Park isn’t of Edwin Stanton. It’s of General Nathanael Greene. This Revolutionary War hero commanded the Army of the South. He’s credited with driving the British out of the Carolinas and Georgia in 1782.
The park itself has seen quite a transformation over the years. The formal walkways and flower beds you see today were introduced during a 1933 redesign. A playground a lovely addition for families was added in 1964. Stanton Park is a perfect blend of nature and urban planning.
The land was originally part of Houp’s Addition owned by Jonathan Slater since 1764. William Prout purchased it in 1791. The federal government acquired it that same year for streets and avenues. The park itself was first improved in 1878. It’s been serving the community ever since. Stanton Park is located within the National Register Capitol Hill Historic District. The statue of Nathanael Greene is part of a larger group of Washington’s Revolutionary War statues in the National Register.
So next time you visit Stanton Park remember you are standing on ground with a rich and layered history. You are walking in a space that has witnessed the city’s growth. This is more than just a park. It’s a living piece of DC’s story. A beautiful place to relax and reflect on the past.