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.
Discover the anonymous story of Robert Muir, the Cairo Hotel Manager from the 1910s. Learn about his life, marriage to Marie, and his tragic death in 1931.
Explore the history of the Blaine Mansion at the turn of the century, built in 1881 and former home of James G. Blaine, former Speaker of the House, Senator, and twice the Secretary of State. See a color photo and what the area looks like today.
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 … Read more
