The Octagon - Lafayette Square - District of Columbia

In 1799, Colonel John Tayloe III who was owner of the luxurious Willard Hotel in Washington D.C., built a mansion at the corner of New York Avenue and 118th Street in Lafayette Square.  The house was an unusual shape, however contrary to it's name, it has six sides, not eight.  This is because then entryway to The Octagon is a round room.  During the time it was constructed, the method if building a round room was to use an eight sided wall to construct it.  They were known during the period as an octagon salon.  Tayloe lived in the home with his wife and family. The Tayloes had fifteen children in all. However, it would be the death of two of the Tayloe daughters that would give The Octagon it's haunted reputation. Read the full story>>

The Octagon - Lafayette Square - District of Columbia