Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
From 1890 to 1910
Dupont Circle
— Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood —
From 1890 to 1910, some of the nation’s finest architects built mansions at or near Dupont Circle in Queen Anne, Richardsonian Romanesque, Italian Renaissance or Colonial Revival style.
Wealthy couples living elsewhere built most of the early mansions. They sought a home in DC for the social season - January to April – because of a desire to socialize with the presidents, members of Congress, and foreign diplomats (especially if there was a daughter to marry off), and a realization that social status lacking at home could be attained here through lavish entertainment. The Phillips Collection (1600 21st St.), a partial exception, was built by a young family from Pittsburgh who felt the air was better here.
During the years 1916-1920, Lucy Mercer visited her divorced mother at the Decatur Apartments (2131 Florida Ave.), while Lucy's “good friend,” Franklin D. Roosevelt, lived around the corner (2131 R St., left). At 2122 Florida Ave., the "horse door” on the right once led to a stables where in the 1850s African Americans fleeing the South – travelers on the Underground Railroad – could hide while awaiting passage further north.
Sidebar:
Fire Alarm Boxes such as this one (originally painted red) were installed in the District after the Civil War. Telegraphs transmitted the box number (top) to a fire alarm center. This system was used until the 1970s when the boxes were converted to a telephone system. By the 1990s, the callbox system had been replaced by the 911 system and was abandoned.
Fire Fact July 2, 1919
Truck Company 2 responded to 2132 R St. NW, residence of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, to remove portions of an anarchist’s body from treetops and roofs after an apparent bomb prematurely exploded.
Fire Department information and images courtesy of Capitol Fire Museum
Artist Arlette Jassel
Arlette Jassel has lived, worked and exhibited in Washington, DC for years. Washington is the muse and inspiration for her painting and sculpture, which include bronze, steel and wood sculpture as well as document illustrations.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 336.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1919.
Location. 38° 54.759′ N, 77° 2.804′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Dupont Circle. Marker is at the intersection of R Street Northwest and 21st Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on R Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2101 R Street Northwest, Washington DC 20008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Blanche K. Bruce and Josephine Beall Willson Bruce Residence (within shouting distance of this marker); Alberto Santos-Dumont (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cosmos Club (about 600 feet away); Connecticut Ave. from Lafayette Square to Ashmead Place (about 600 feet away); American News Women's Club (about 600 feet away); Vassil Levsky / Васил Левски (about 600 feet away); Fraser Mansion (about 600 feet away); 2019 Q Street NW (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 519 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 8, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.