Stewart's Castle

Stewart's Castle was a red brick mansion featuring a prominent stone turret and detailed ornamental elements positioned on the north side of Dupont Circle between Connecticut and Massachusetts Avenue. The structure displayed elaborate architectural details that reflected the Victorian design sensibilities of its era.

Architect Adolf Cluss completed this residential structure in 1873 for Nevada Senator William Morris Stewart, who encountered financial difficulties shortly after moving in. The building changed ownership multiple times and served different purposes during its relatively short existence.

The Chinese Legation occupied this house from 1886 to 1893, hosting large receptions that introduced Washington society to Chinese customs and traditions. These gatherings made the home a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures during that period.

The building sustained severe fire damage in 1879 from a defective flue, requiring extensive repairs to restore it to working order. Today only historical records preserve information about this former landmark, as it was demolished in 1901.

Despite its architectural value and social importance, the mansion stood for only about 28 years before its demolition in 1901 under Senator William Clark's ownership. This remarkably brief existence makes it a telling example of how quickly even notable buildings can vanish from the city's landscape.