Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
After the Civil War
Dupont Circle
— Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 13, 2018
Fire Fact, November 28, 1911
DC's first motorized fire engine was placed in service at Engine Company 24. Its engine house was the first to be built without a stable and manure pit.
Caption: Fire Department information and images courtesy of Capitol Fire Museum
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 By the 1990s, the callbox system had been replaced by the 911 system and was abandoned.
After the Civil War, the area around Dupont Circle developed rapidly. If you look north to the hill on the horizon, you can see where John and Mary Henderson built their mansion (1888). As a senator from Missouri, John (1836-1911) authored one of the anti-slavery amendments and voted against the removal of President Andrew Johnson. Mary (1841-1931) built the first "embassy row" between 2600 and 2800 16th St., and gave the Federal Government the land that became Meridian Hill Park, but only after she had tried strenuously to locate first the White House, then the Lincoln Memorial there.
At the northwest corner of 17th and P Sts. stood the Syphax Mansion, home of descendants of slaves owned by Robert E. Lee's father-in-law at Arlington House. The Syphax family has been prominent in DC education. At 16th and P Sts. is the Foundry United Methodist Church (dedicated in 1904, pictured at left), where President and Mrs. Clinton were parishioners.
Artist, Supon Phornirunlit
Originally from Thailand, Supon came to the U.S.A. in 1979 and settled first in Dupont Circle. His design studio has earned over 1,000 industry awards. He has written nearly three dozen graphic design books.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #17 Andrew Johnson series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 28, 1911.
Location. 38° 54.575′ N, 77° 2.303′ W. Marker has been reported unreadable. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Dupont Circle. Marker is at the intersection of P Street
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 13, 2018
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Foundry United Methodist Church Stormwater Features (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); You are standing at the edge of Embassy Row (about 600 feet away); Administration Building, Carnegie Institution of Washington (about 600 feet away); The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Building (about 600 feet away); Independence of Kazakhstan (about 600 feet away); The Cairo (about 600 feet away); Bernardo O'Higgins (about 700 feet away); The Stonesdale (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker. Back of marker has weather damage
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 14, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on July 12, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.