When the Washington Monument was completed in 1884 it was the tallest structure ever constructed. Though it has since been surpassed by other landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, it still remains one of America’s most iconic monuments.

Dedicated to the nation’s first president this monument towers over the National Mall in Washington DC at 555 feet tall. The monument is a popular tourist attraction and offers spectacular views of the capital city. It took a team of 400 workers over 14 years to carve the shapes of the four former U.S. presidents into the granite and metamorphic rock.

A gift from France to the United States in 1886, this 305-foot statue of a robed Roman goddess stands as a symbol of American freedom. The statue is clad in copper, which gives it its famous green color that has naturally oxidized over time. Her seven crown spikes symbolize the seven continents and seas, while her tabula ansata is inscribed with the date of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

At 630 feet tall the Gateway Arch is one of America’s most recognizable structures and the tallest monument in the country. The Arch is a popular tourist attraction that allows visitors to ride up to the observation area and enjoy fantastic views of St. Louis from the top of this defining symbol of western expansion. The arch is also a significant architectural icon, cementing Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen as a pioneer of mid-century modern design.