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You see, some brainless super mutant thought it would be funny to shoot at the shiny round thing on the Washington Monument.Three Dog

The Washington Monument is a large, pre-War obelisk at the center of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in 2277.

Background[]

The Washington Monument is a United States presidential memorial completed on December 6, 1884, commemorating the first president of the United States, George Washington.

The battered remains of the monument are still standing, towering above the ruins of the old capital city and the battle-torn Mall. The Washington Monument can be seen from nearly anywhere in the Capital Wasteland; at 555 feet tall, it is the tallest structure in the D.C. area.

The Washington Monument has been claimed as an outpost by the Brotherhood of Steel, as it contains the signal transmitter for Galaxy News Radio. Although the Brotherhood members are leveled characters, they may be killed by the more numerous super mutants.

Layout[]

The entrance of the monument contains two caved-in doors and an elevator. Only the elevator is accessible, which prompts a loading screen when activated. At the top, there are some machines, which are used to relay the Galaxy News Radio signal.

Outside the barricade to the northwest, one well-armed paladin guards a checkpoint containing a stockpile of several Brotherhood-owned ammunition boxes and health items. Just beyond the checkpoint to the west, the north side of the Reflecting Pool has been mined. At least eight frag mines have been laid down to protect that approach. The defenses are not without cause, as up to five vicious dogs frequent the area and often skirmish with the paladin, sometimes setting off the mines as they advance.

To the southwest, another well-armed paladin will usually be found patrolling the perimeter outside the walls.

Related quests[]

Notes[]

  • The monument can be used as impromptu player housing because it contains a usable bed (though resting in it does not give a well-rested bonus) and dropped items do not seem to disappear.
  • The Brotherhood insignia is stenciled on the two entrance doors. After passing between them, and the broken doorway beyond, the Lone Wanderer can jump from the second bench, over the broken wall to the left, to reach an area between the perimeter walls and monument walls. Around to the back of the monument (west) is an ammunition box, a missile launcher and three missiles.
  • The Washington Monument is one of the three buildings that can be seen from almost anywhere in the Capital Wasteland, the others being the MDPL-13 power station and Tenpenny Tower.
  • The monument is guarded by the Brotherhood of Steel's 2nd Monument Defense Detachment, led by Paladin Berrings.
  • The bronze statue of George Washington, which originally stood to the left of the elevator, has disappeared, with only its plinth left behind.
  • After the Lone Wanderer's first visit to the monument, the Brotherhood of Steel will no longer guard the gate, but will patrol the rear.
  • The top of the monument is one of the highest locations in the game, and through the cracks, one can see past the Capitol building.
  • The Washington Monument elevator is unique in Fallout 3, as it is the only elevator where the player rides in the elevator between landings, instead of transitioning with a loading screen.
    • Waiting in the elevator will not work, as when the waiting time is up, the player is still in the same place.
    • Operation: Anchorage (add-on) The only other elevator that the player actually rides in is the freight elevator at the Outcast outpost in Operation Anchorage.

Appearances[]

The Washington Monument appears only in Fallout 3, and is mentioned in Fallout 4 by Robert MacCready. It also appears in the Atomic Command Pip-Boy game in Fallout 4.

Behind the scenes[]

The Washington Monument, an entirely masonry-comprised structure, is based on the real world obelisk of the same name in Washington, D.C.

Bugs[]

  • PCPC Playstation 3Playstation 3Playstation 3 Xbox 360Xbox 360 Sometimes, fast-traveling from the top of the monument will cause the elevator to stay on the top floor. Upon reentering the monument, you are in a room with blacked-out hallways and only the elevator is accessible. Entering it causes you to go down to the bottom floor and then have to go all the way up again. [verified]
  • PCPC Playstation 3Playstation 3Playstation 3 If discovered before the "Galaxy News Radio" quest, Brotherhood of Steel Paladins patrolling the area will be hostile to the player. [verified]
  • PCPC Xbox 360Xbox 360 The button panel inside the elevator does not shake with the elevator as it "travels". This is because it is not parented. [verified]

Gallery[]

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