The U.S. Capitol has its own subway system.

U.S. History

B eing a member of Congress comes with some unusual perks — like access to the U.S. Capitol’s hidden subway. Operating since 1909, its three lines shuttle lawmakers between offices and chambers in small cars that resemble an amusement park tram more than a major metropolitan subway system. Closed to the public but occasionally glimpsed by visitors, the system operates out of sight on Capitol Hill.

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By the Numbers

Rooms in the Capitol building

540

Windows in the Capitol dome

108

Did you know?

Congress almost left Washington, D.C., after the War of 1812.

Along with many other structures in Washington, D.C., the Capitol was set ablaze by the British on August 24, 1814, in a major escalation of the War of 1812. Benjamin Latrobe, who served as architect of the Capitol at the time, described the damaged building as “a most magnificent ruin.” As a result, Congress considered relocating not only to a different building but to a different city altogether — most likely Philadelphia, which had served as the nation’s capital from 1790 to 1800. The legislature instead convened at Blodgett’s Hotel until December of 1815, when it moved to the Brick Capitol (now the site of the Supreme Court) until the Capitol building was reopened in 1819.