Chevy Chase in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
What's in a Name?
Rock Creek Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
In 1932, Congress authorized that a fountain be built here to honor Francis G. Newlands. Why is it dedicated to such a controversial figure?
Newlands served as congressman, then senator, from Nevada here from 1893 to 1917. Newlands was the primary author of the Reclamation Act of 1902, which provided for large-scale irrigation projects in the arid West. He also supported the creation of the National Park Service, the Federal Trade Commission, and the right of women to vote.
At the same time, Newlands held and promoted White supremacist views. He saw the United States as a nation for Whites only and advocated for denying immigration, voting rights, and even citizenship to people of color.
As a wealthy and powerful real estate developer, Newlands founded The Chevy Chase Land Company in 1890. The company developed farmland on the outskirts of the nation's capital into the residential communities of Chevy Chase, DC, and Chevy Chase, Maryland. The high cost of homes and racial bias limited who could live in these developments. The consequences of historic housing discrimination endure to this day.
Thus, Newlands'
this page online
Today the fountain is managed by the National Park Service.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 58.04′ N, 77° 4.596′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in Chevy Chase. It was at the intersection of Chevy Chase Circle Northwest and Connecticut Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north on Chevy Chase Circle Northwest. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 20 Chevy Chase Circle Northwest, Washington DC 20015, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally,
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Francis Griffith Newlands (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chevy Chase Land Company of Montgomery County, Maryland (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Joseph Belt (within shouting distance of this marker in Maryland); Rock Creek Railway Streetcar (within shouting distance of this marker); Chevy Chase Theatre (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Original Federal Boundary Stone, District of Columbia, Northwest 7 (approx. Ό mile away in Maryland); A Man's Recollection (approx. 0.3 miles away); Segregated by Design (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Additional commentary.
1. About the fountain
The fountain sits on the border of DC and Maryland. Several years ago, DC residents advocated for the renaming of the memorial to the territorial DC Government. However, the DC Government lacked jurisdiction in the renaming since the park in the circle is administered by the National Park Service and was named by an Act of Congress. At this time in history, to rename the fountain would take another Act of Congress.
— Submitted September 21, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
2. Historical Context For This Removal
This marker was erected in December 2022 by the National Park Service. It was subsequently removed by the National Park Service in November 2025 under Executive Order (EO) 14253, titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. and the Department of Interior Secretarial Order(SO) 3431.
— Submitted April 14, 2026, by David Gerhardt of Manassas, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 586 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
