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Ghosts of DC

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Dupont Circle

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.

If Walls Could Talk: Big Bear Cafe

November 22, 2021January 20, 2012 by ghostsofdc
Big Bear Cafe

Big Bear Cafe is a lovely coffee shop which has warmed up Bloomingdale residents since 2007. It’s a favorite of many in the neighborhood and, for better or worse, people in other neighborhoods (this Portlandia clip is very àpropos). It’s Friday afternoon and we’re on the cusp of a chilly, rainy weekend. So, let me … Read more

Categories If Walls Could Talk Tags Bloomingdale, Dupont Circle 2 Comments

Digging Deeper: Elmer Ardeeser, the Driver From 1930 Dupont Circle Car Crash

April 27, 2026January 11, 2012 by ghostsofdc

This blog post investigates Elmer Ardeeser, the driver at the center of a 1930 Dupont Circle car crash. Elmer had an interesting past, including ties to Babe Ruth’s orphanage. Learn more about the event and the people involved.

Categories From the Crazy Vault Tags 1930s, Baseball, Dupont Circle, U.S. Census 2 Comments

Jimi Hendrix at the Washington Hilton: A Look Back at the Guitar God’s 1968 Performance in D.C.

April 27, 2026January 8, 2012 by ghostsofdc
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Washington Hilton 1968

Relive Jimi Hendrix’s incredible performance at the Washington Hilton on March 10th, 1968. Featuring concert footage, photos, a setlist, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning review from the Washington Post.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1960s, concerts, Dupont Circle, Hotels 21 Comments
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