By law the tallest structure in
Washington, D.C., the Washington Monument stands 555 feet 5.125 inches in height. There are 897 steps to the top, but an electric
elevator brings visitors all the way up in seventy seconds (free tickets are required).
Marble taken from
Maryland was used in building the
monument, but only 153 feet were completed before the
Civil War and lack of funding brought construction to a half for 25 years. When it resumed, a marble slightly different in tone was used, causing a noticeable ring around the structure.
Source: http://www.tourmobile.com/sites-stops/washmon.html