Washington, impressed by his ideas, eventually appointed him to design the city and its public buildings. The name District of Columbia came into use during the 19 th century. The US Capitol, at the east end of the Mall, is the hub of Washington s streets. The Capitol is situated at the intersection of East Capitol Street, North Capitol Street, South Capitol Street and the Mall. These three streets and the Mall split the city into these quadrants.
All numbered streets run north and south and the lettered streets run east and west.
Streets named after the states in the union run diagonally. Perhaps some of the greatest places to enjoy the District of Columbia Renaissance are the buildings that served various purposes in the history of DC and now serve entirely new purposes. For example, the Old Post Office Building Observatory and Pavilion, on Pennsylvania Avenue between 11 th and 12 th Streets NW, offers a spectacular view of the nation s capital from atop its 315-foot clock tower. The Pavilion houses over 50 shops, restaurants and a performing arts center. Another landmark is the famed train station in DC called Union Station .