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.
An 1880 statistical map compiled by Lt. F.V. Greene shows property values across Washington, with land in Shaw and Mt. Vernon Square worth three to four times more than comparable plots in Dupont Circle.
In 1919, construction began on the luxurious Hadleigh Apartments in Washington, DC. Learn about the $2,000,000 building, the mortgage, and the major bus accident that happened nearby.
Take a look back in time and see what Dupont Circle in Washington, DC looked like in 1900. This amazing shot clearly shows the Patterson House (now the Washington Club) in the background. What a beautiful frozen moment in time!
The Dupont Underground is a network of abandoned streetcar tunnels beneath Dupont Circle, frozen in time since the last car ran in 1955.
This is the incredible story of Albert Deal, a Pennsylvania steamfitter who fell 120 feet down an elevator shaft at the Cairo Flats in 1894. Miraculously, he survived with only a sprained back! Find out the story behind this amazing tale.
There were a couple of requests a short while back to do a post on The Cairo, the most famous residential building in the city. You can Google it or check it out on Wikipedia, so no need to do the building’s history. I want to dig up the more anonymous stories of people associated with the building.
So, here’s one that I came across about a guy named Robert Muir. He was the Cairo Hotel’s manager back in the 1910s, about a little over 15 years into its existence.
Here’s a great color photo courtesy the D.C. Public Library Flickr photostream. It was taken, just at the turn of the century.
The house was built in 1881 and was the home of James G. Blaine, former Speaker of the House, Senator, and twice the Secretary of State. His LinkedIn resume would look pretty sweet.
Take a look at this serious car accident on Massachusetts and 21st St. NW from 1917 and then a recent Google Street View. Check out the photo from 1917 and then the recent Google Street View.
I’m really excited about doing this one and I’m sure there are a few of you out there that are really going to enjoy learning about our favorite spot, Kramerbooks.
Since 1976, this place has been a favorite place to find a book, grab a bite, some beer, or have some coffee and chat over dessert. Some of you may even remember when it hit the national spotlight in the late 90s when they refused to disclose Monica Lewinksy’s book purchases after being subpoenaed by Ken Starr.
Dupont would not be what it is today without this establishment and it’s clear that our President and his daughters agree. So, let’s get started with the next “If Walls Could Talk,” Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe at 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW.
By the way, let me prepare you for some serious turnover at this address. You’ll see what I’m talking about.
