You Won't Believe How America's Landmarks Could Have Looked

Rejected designs that reveal what might have been

A pyramid in downtown Chicago, a Capitol building with a weathervane that looks like a giant chicken. Believe it or not, these are just some of the proposals for American landmarks that didn't make the cut. Read on to see some of the most remarkable rejected designs.

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is one of the American capital's star attractions, but the obelisk you see today is actually a watered-down, cheaper version of the original plan devised by architect Robert Mills in 1845.

Washington Monument

Mills envisaged a Neoclassical columned temple at the base of the obelisk, topped by an ostentatious statue of George Washington in a chariot. The society in charge of building the monument balked at the price tag and in the end chose to build just the obelisk.

Chicago Tribune Tower

One of Chicago's most admired and well-known buildings, the resplendent neo-Gothic Tribune Tower soars into the Windy City sky like an ancient supersized cathedral. The ornate skyscraper, which was completed in 1925, is the handiwork of New York-based architects Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells.

Chicago Tribune Tower

Hood and Howells' Neo-gothic design was one of 259 entries in an international competition launched in 1922 to create a new HQ for the Chicago Tribune newspaper. Some of the more outlandish entries included an arched building crowned by a globe, an Art Deco pyramid and a skyscraper featuring the head of a Native American chief.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

One of the most famous and beautiful suspension bridges on the planet, San Francisco's glorious Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic in 1934. The 1.7 mile-long crossing, which has been declared a Wonder of the Modern World, was designed by engineer Joseph Strauss.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Strauss actually had a different design in mind before he went with the clean suspension bridge San Franciscans know and love today. The original plan was for a bizarre hybrid suspension and cantilever bridge that lacks the exquisite simplicity of Strauss' final design.

United States Capitol, Washington DC

The United States Capitol in Washington DC is famous for its massive dome too, which is actually made of cast iron rather than stone. The building is the product of a design competition set by the then Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson in 1792, and judged by President George Washington.

United States Capitol, Washington DC

The dome was actually a later addition to the winning entry designed by architect William Thornton. Fortunately, Jefferson passed on this entry by amateur James Diamond, which features an eagle weathervane that looks like a giant chicken.

The White House, Washington DC

Proposals for a new 'President's House' were also submitted to Jefferson's design competition. Irish-born architect James Hoban got the gig, and the sophisticated mansion was eventually completed in 1800.

The White House, Washington DC

The White House might very well have looked like this. The domed design, which is said to have been submitted anonymously by Jefferson via Virginia builder John Collins, was admired by Washington and nabbed second place in the competition.  

Arlington Memorial Bridge, Washington DC

Staying in DC, a crossing over the Potomac River to memorialize America's fallen was in the pipeline for decades before Congress finally approved the Neoclassical bridge by architectural firm McKim, Mead, and White, and the Arlington Memorial Bridge was completed in 1932.

Arlington Memorial Bridge, Washington DC

This more distinctive Neo-Gothic design was proposed by architect Paul J. Pelz in 1887 as a homage to General Ulysses S. Grant. Congress wasn't too keen on facilitating a memorial to Grant and blocked funding of the original design, eventually giving the all-clear for the Neoclassical bridge years later.

Grand Central Terminal, New York

A number of architectural firms vied to conceive New York's Grand Central Terminal in 1903, and the contract to design the station was awarded to two firms: Reed & Stem and Warren & Wetmore.

Grand Central Terminal, New York

The stunning Beaux-Arts station, which is famous for its cavernous hall, is one of the Big Apple's most esteemed landmarks, but it could well have been a Neo-Gothic palace, complete with a 60-story tower, if this proposal by McKim, Mead & White had won the competition.

Library of Congress, Washington DC

Architect Paul J Pelz's design for the Library of Congress, which has since been renamed the Thomas Jefferson Building, ultimately prevailed, but several plans were considered for the building following a competition in 1873.

Library of Congress, Washington DC

More like a cathedral than a civic building, this Neo-Gothic design was also in the running, as was a ridiculously palatial Beaux-Arts design. Pelz's winning design boasts a similar Beaux-Arts style but is far less fussy and embellished.

Chrysler Building, New York

Arguably the most beautiful skyscraper in the world, the magnificent Chrysler Building in Manhattan is an Art Deco masterpiece adored by New Yorkers and visitors to the city alike. The iconic building was designed by William Van Alen and completed in 1931.

Chrysler Building, New York

This fascinating series of images shows how the design of the skyscraper was developed and refined by Van Alen. The New York-based architect came up with several designs for the crown of the skyscraper before settling for the terraced design we know today.

Lincoln Memorial

While Washington missed out, America's monument to Abraham Lincoln does take the form of a Greek Doric temple, complete with columns and classical sculptures. Completed in 1922, the Washington DC memorial was designed by architect Henry Bacon.

Lincoln Memorial

Several competing designs were in the running though, including a simple log cabin, an Egyptian-style pyramid and a ziggurat designed by John Russell Pope.

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