Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Theodore Roosevelt
Dupont Circle
| | Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood | |
Theodore Roosevelt resided in a number of houses in Dupont Circle. Two still standing are 1215 19th St. and 1820 Jefferson St. In 1898, he lived at 1810 N St. (below, since razed). That year he led a volunteer cavalry called the Rough Riders into battle in Cuba as part of the Spanish-American War. He came home a hero, and was elected governor of New York State. Roosevelt only served briefly as governor before accepting the Republican Party's nomination as William McKinley's running mate in the 1900 Presidential election. After President McKinley was assassinated in 1901. Roosevelt became the youngest man (age 42) to serve as U.S. President. During his term (1901-1909), the combative and crusading Roosevelt promoted conservation by giving government protection to open lands across the nation. He battled to limit the power of large corporations and to strengthen the United States as a power in foreign affairs.
By the turn of the century, Connecticut Ave. was changing from residential to commercial. A profusion of specialty shops drew upper-class patrons, and the promoters touted the exclusive shopping street as equal to New York's Fifth Ave. or Paris's Rue de la Paix. America's first licensed television station, W3XK, was established at 1519 Connecticut Ave. in 1928.
Image at left courtesy of The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
Artist | Jordan Potash
Jordan Potash, raised in Philadelphia, now resides in DC. An artiste and therapist, he creates expressive art rooted in Jewish spirituality. Designing sidewalk chalk murals around the fountain with friends was a great influence in this mixed media piece.
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.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Environment • Industry & Commerce • War, Spanish-American. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call, the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.
Location. 38° 54.432′ N, 77° 2.548′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Dupont Circle. It is on N Street Northwest
west of Connecticut Avenue Northwest, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1812 N Street Northwest, Washington DC 20036, 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: In Memory of Henry Martyn Robert (a few steps from this marker); John Witherspoon (within shouting distance of this marker); The National Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The mansion at 1801 Massachusetts Ave. (about 700 feet away); Tabard Inn (about 700 feet away); Myrtilla Miner (about 700 feet away); You are standing at the heart (about 700 feet away); The Paul and Phyllis Nitze Building (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. Dupont Circle Mural Key (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); HYBYCOZO (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Brewmaster's Castle (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,645 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 22, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.



