Tiber Creek, a natural watercourse that once passed through the National Mall, was fully enclosed underground during the 1870s.

A stone bridge over Tiber Creek at 2nd Street was also built during this time, being replaced by a brick arch in 1817.

However, water pressure from the submerged Tiber Creek would make it difficult to drive the piles.

Water pressure from the submerged Tiber Creek made it too difficult to drive the piles.

The canal then turned sharply to the west, joining a straightened and channelized Tiber Creek, which had earlier flowed westward.

East of the marker, Tiber Creek was transformed into the Washington City Canal.

Through the center of it ran the principal branch of Tiber Creek.

As part of the plan, the remainder of Tiber Creek was also filled in.

In the late 1800's, Tiber Creek met the Potomac on what would become Constitution Avenue.

By then, Tiber Creek had been covered over, the swamps dredged and filled, the land reclaimed.