Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The first houses south and west of Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle
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Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, October 10, 2015
1. The first houses south and west of Dupont Circle Marker
The first houses south and west of Dupont Circle were built mostly of brick or brick and sandstone using Queen Anne, Chateauesqe, Richardsonian Romanesque or Georgian Revival styles. The Queen Anne style building at 1400 21st St. has a splendid and unique keystone arch. On both sides of O St., as well as on the 1400 block of less-known Hopkins Place (1400 block), are turn-of-the-century houses that have been restored to their original condition.
Don't miss 2020 O St. (left), where James Beauchamp "Champ" Clark lived while serving as Democratic floor leader and sometimes speaker of the House. Clark ran against Woodrow Wilson for the Democratic nomination for President in 1912. Leading figures of both parties, including President Wilson, visited Clark here. The home is now part of a three-house inn.
Police Call Boxes such as this one (originally painted blue) were installed in the District after the Civil War. Officers on foot patrol used this secure telegraph system to contact the station, accessing the box with a now highly collectible "gold key." This system was used until the late 1970s when it was abandoned in favor of more modern communication methods.
Artist Deena Gorland
DC native and Dupont Circle resident Deena Gorland has been a photographer since 1983. She holds a B.F.A.
this page online
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1400.
Location. 38° 54.518′ N, 77° 2.809′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Dupont Circle. It is at the intersection of 21st Street Northwest and O Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south on 21st Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 21st Street Northwest, Washington DC 20037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Before the city built a bridge (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Workshop Center of the Arts (about 500 feet away); The House of Brig. Gen. George P. Scriven (about 600 feet away); Dewi Saraswati (about 700 feet away); Across 23rd St. and Rock Creek (about 700 feet away); Indonesian Embassy / Walsh-McLean Mansion
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 13, 2018
2. Back of Marker
Dupont Circle
Art on Call
The Dupont Circle Art on Call project explores neighborhood history and local fire and police events. It also celebrates our diverse political, artistic and intellectual community by presenting original artwork by 22 local artists featuring the hub of our neighborhood. Dupont Circle and the beautiful fountains designed by Daniel Chester French.
Art on Call is a program of Cultural Tourism DC with support from
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
District Department of Transportation
This call box is sponsored by:
Alan and Heather Kaye Jacobs
Dupont Circle Art on Call Corporate Sponsor
PNC Bank
This community project also supported by
Dupont Circle Association and the Dupont Circle Conservancy, Inc.
and generous donations from community residents and businesses.
See all 22 Dupont Circle Call Boxes!
Development Committee Members:
Marilyn Newton, Chair
Michael Beidler
Phil Carney
Elaine Faye
Carol Galaty
Bill Glew
Gil Hill
Steve Hoglund
Maureen Lynch
Gary McLeod
Amanda McNally
James H. Mears
Gerald Allen Schwinn
Tour guide, map and artist information available at: www.DupontCircleCallBox.com
Graphic design coursesy of: e-lanestudio
Fabrication: Gelberg Signs
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Brewmaster's Castle (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, October 10, 2015
3. The first houses south and west of Dupont Circle Marker
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, October 10, 2015
4. The first houses south and west of Dupont Circle Marker
Marker with the Queen Anne style building at 1400 21st St. NW mentioned in the text in the background. Note the "splendid and unique keystone arch" on the right side of the building.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, October 10, 2015
5. The first houses south and west of Dupont Circle Marker
2020 O St. NW house of "Champ" Clark mentioned in the text, now part of The Mansion on O Street Inn.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 652 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on January 13, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 12, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
