Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-158 (REWIND SPECIAL) 

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (September 29, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we look back to September 2023 for a special “Rewind Edition” – Cornerstone: Only the beginning for this church building. (NOTE: Steve Kovacs is on a family sojourn and will return with all new FWM Friday, October 3, 2025)              

WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

The cornerstone for Washington National Cathedral was laid on this day in 1907 and the cathedral was completed on this day in 1990, 83 years later.

While commonly referred to as Washington National Cathedral, the church’s official name is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.  Its medieval design contains 112 gargoyles, including one of Darth Vader, and 215 stained glass windows, one of which houses a moon rock.

The Episcopal church is the 6th largest cathedral in the world and 2nd largest in the US.

Colton’s map of Georgetown and Washington D.C. with decorative vignettes from 1855 is presented here.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.