The Beginnings of a Revolution

Washington DC must be a model of how other cities should operate. Many communities in the Washington area are starting to be more eco-conscious, concentrating on how the community impacts the environment and what changes can be made to lessen the carbon footprints. The Dupont Circle Corridor, located in Northwest DC, is home to a growing environmental movement. Though this should be no surprise as the Dupont community has been at the forefront of many movements throughout history as noted in Paul K. William's book Images of America: Dupont Circle.

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Theodor Horydczak Collection, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-H824-0224]

The Dupont community was created in 1870 as part of Pierre L’Enfant’s plan for Washington DC. Before then, the area was marshy and wooded, housing only large country estates. After the Civil War, an influx of citizens moved into Washington DC and real estate agents started to acquire more of the vast land, creating more houses and businesses in the area

 By the mid-1870s, many of the upper-middle classes of the Victorian era, such as diplomats, political leaders, socialites and dignitaries, started to move into the town houses along the neighboring, tree-lined streets.

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Theodor Horydczak Collection, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-H824-0224] 

The area started to receive more international attention, attracting more international businesses and people. Many residential properties started to change to commercial use in the 1920s, creating more of a diverse landscape. Mansions turned into banks and embassies while townhouses were being replaced with shops, restaurants and hotels. 

Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing Company Collection. 

This was increasingly apparent during and after World War II when many residential areas started to “accommodate government workers aiding in the war effort”.

In the 1960s, when hard times fell, the area “became a gathering place for homeless, hippies, and drunks. It was also a gathering place for early homosexual rights protests and Vietnam war demonstrations”.

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Theodor Horydczak Collection, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-H824-0224] 

From this point onward, the Dupont community has not only become internationally and politically diverse but also diverse in religion and sexuality, becoming one of the first openly accepting communities in Washington DC.