Dupont Circle takes its name from Civil War admiral Samuel Francis du Pont, whose statue anchored the traffic circle until 1884. The neighborhood has been one of Washington’s most fashionable addresses since the Gilded Age, home to grand mansions, rowhouses, and embassies that have defined its character across 150 years. These posts dig into the history behind Dupont Circle’s streets and buildings.
Check out this unbelievable offer from The Evening Star newspaper in 1906: a home for sale in Washington, DC for just $13,000! That same home is now worth over $1.4 million. Read the incredible story here.
From an 1820 Nourse farmhouse to a Masonic temple that never got built to the Washington Hilton of 1965, three entirely different DC landmarks used the same ten acres.
Discover the story of Stewart’s Castle, a lost gem of Washington DC’s architectural history. Learn about its design, famous residents, and ultimate demolition in 1901 in this post.
Take a look at the Dupont Circle Building from the air in the 1930s. See the iconic building, complete with Krispy Kreme and more, from a unique perspective.
This 1904 photograph of Dupont Circle shows the traffic circle before the granite fountain that stands there today was installed. The original bronze statue of Admiral Du Pont is visible at the center.
Take a look at this photograph taken from Blaine Mansion in the 1920s, looking east over Dupont Circle. You can see the Cairo Building in the background.
Uncovering the Historical Significance of Blaine Mansion in Washington DC – the only old Dupont Circle “castle” still standing and a great place to get some pizza and delicious craft beer today. Learn about the iconic 1880s home of James Blaine, Republican from Maine and three-time presidential aspirant.
We found a photo from 1935 of Massachusetts Avenue, but we’re not sure where it is. Any ideas? Go to lunch, show your friends, debate it and post your thoughts in the comments below. Are these homes still there?
Miriam Auerbach Wolf was 12 in this 1924 photo. She grew up to be the first woman life member of the Washington Board of Realtors’ Million-Dollar Sales Club.
