Francis Griffith Newlands Memorial Fountain

The Francis Griffith Newlands Memorial Fountain is a circular water feature located at Chevy Chase Circle, positioned where Maryland meets the District of Columbia. The basin measures approximately 60 feet across and creates a water jet that rises roughly 30 feet when the fountain operates.

The fountain was designed by Edward W. Donn Jr. in 1933 and constructed in 1938 using funds provided by the widow of Senator Francis Newlands. His widow, Edith McAllister Newlands, sponsored the project as a tribute to her late husband.

The fountain sparked community discussions about historical representation, leading to the removal of its commemorative plaque in 2020.

The fountain is maintained by the National Park Service and sits on a public plaza easily visible from the surrounding streets. Visit during daylight hours when the water feature is most visible and the surrounding grounds are well-lit.

The fountain holds a listing on the National Register of Historic Places and has become the subject of ongoing naming debates within the community. Changing its official name would require an act of Congress, making it an unusual case for a public water feature.

Location: Maryland

GPS coordinates: 38.96761,-77.07715

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:44