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Capitol. The state-named avenues and the grid pattern remain to this day.

The National Mall was designed as one of these "grand avenues" and is currently the central strip of parkland around which most of the city's monuments are built. However, L'Enfant's intended use for the Mall was not always followed, for it has served in many different capacities, including hosting military campaigns and housing a railroad station from 1872 to 1909.

L'Enfant was so egotistical and unwavering in his plans that he once demanded the destruction of a house that was impeding space he had assigned to the future New Jersey Avenue. According to the "Early Landowners" section of the Capitol Hill History Project, estate owner Daniel Carroll's mansion protruded into the street plans by only a few feet. Carroll was financially compensated after his house was torn down, and he soon rebuilt half a block further away from the road. Such was the severity of the Frenchman architect.

L'Enfant was loyal and passionate, but he was also an opportunist who did not hesitate to paint himself in the best light. Unfortunately, he also routinely ignored directives from city commissioners who oversaw the project. This haughtiness alienated many friends, including George Washington, and he was forced off the project in early 1792.

== Ellicott And Banneker ==

After L'Enfant left, accomplished surveyor Andrew Ellicott, who was also part of the project, modified the position of a few radial avenues, revised a handful of building designs, and named the city streets. Less than a month after L'Enfant's dismissal, Ellicott's new city plans were ready for engraving. (At the time, engraving was a tedious job that involving etching into a metal, most likely copper or steel, so final plans had to be exact.)

Both L'Enfant and Ellicott adhered to the concept of topography governing building placement. Many important structures were built atop hills, including the Capitol and The President's House (later renamed The White House).

Two Benjamins were part of the project, and this caused confusion for many years. One was Benjamin Banneker, a free black man with near genius intelligence, who mostly worked as a mathematician and astronomer. The other was Benjamin Ellicott, Andrew's brother. According to Bob Arnebeck, published author of Washington, D.C. history, Banneker surveyed the land while the Ellicott brothers actually designed the city.

Banneker learned to read, thanks to his grandmother and some formal

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