Whitehall

Street in Westminster, central London, England, between Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament; it includes many of Britain's principal government offices and the Cenotaph war memorial.

The street derives its name from Whitehall Palace which was largely destroyed by fire in 1698. Of the palace only the Palladian Banqueting House (1622) survives, designed by Inigo Jones for James I. Whitehall is also the site of the headquarters (1753) of Horse Guards, the Household Cavalry.

Among the many government offices in Whitehall are the Admiralty, Home Office, and Ministry of Defence.

Whitehall Palace A mansion was built here in the early 13th century by the justiciary, Hubert de Burgh. It was the residence of the archbishops of York from about 1250 until it was taken from Cardinal Wolsey by Henry VIII, who enlarged it and renamed it Whitehall; it remained the chief royal residence in London for about 150 years. The fine Banqueting House includes a ceiling painted by Rubens. From a window in the hall Charles I stepped onto the scaffold for his execution in the street below.

Whitehall

Town in Washington County, east New York; population (1990) 4,400. It is located on the South Bay of Lake Champlain, and the north end of the Champlain Canal, 35 km/22 mi northeast of Glens Falls, on the Vermont state border. This traditional mill town and railway centre has a number of industries and is an Amtrak rail stop. It was settled in 1759.

Whitehall

Town in Franklin County, central Ohio; population (1990) 20,600. It is located 11 km/7 mi east of Columbus, of which it is a commuter suburb. Manufactures include water coolers and packaged meats. US military reservations lie directly north of the city.

Whitehall

Town in Allegheny County, southwest Pennsylvania; population (1990) 14,500. It is located 8 km/5 mi south of Pittsburgh. It is a primarily residential suburb.