“ WASHINGTON MONUMENT. A huge obelisk erected in the city of Washington, having a total height of 555 feet 51⁄8 inches. It is the highest masonry structure in the world. The cornerstone was laid in 1848 and work on the monument continued slowly until 1877, when it ceased, but was resumed in 1878, and finished in 1884. The Washington National Monument Society originated the plan and controlled the work of construction until 1877, when its property was conveyed to the United States. Maryland marble is the material out of which the monument was constructed. ”