Still Standing After Every Storm

Picture and the text below I copied from National Mall and Memorial Parks FB page

Yes, the Washington Monument is, on average, struck by lightning a few times a year. At 555 feet tall, it is the tallest structure in Washington, D.C. and a prominent target for lightning strikes.

To protect the amazing structure, lightning rods were installed on top of the monument before its completion in 1884. On December 28, 1934, someone scaled the scaffolding erected around the Washington Monument during repairs, and removed 107 of its 170 gold-plated, platinum-tipped lightning rod points. The points were valued at $8 each, which totaled $856, a large sum in 1934. The monument’s lightning rods have since been replaced with a non-platinum tipped version and updated during subsequent renovations.

While the electricity from a lightning bolt is grounded through a cable that travels 40 feet into the Earth, visitor safety is always a priority. For this reason, the National Park Service temporarily closes the Washington Monument during lightning storms. When visiting the park during summer be prepared for thunderstorms and be flexible in your plans.

Photo of a display of old lightning rods in the Washington Monument by National Park Service.