Dupont Circle

Dupont Circle is a round traffic circle and park in Northwest Washington with a marble fountain at the center, surrounded by benches and grassy areas. The streets radiate outward in all directions, and the surrounding neighborhood is lined with Victorian rowhouses, small shops and cafés.

The circle was originally called Pacific Circle and was renamed in 1882 to honor Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont. In the early 1900s, wealthy families moved into the area, and after World War II the neighborhood became a center for artists, students and activists.

The name honors Samuel Francis Du Pont, a naval officer from the 19th century, whose statue was later replaced by the current fountain. The neighborhood has been a center of queer culture since the 1970s, with bookstores, cafés and gathering spots frequented by gay and lesbian residents.

The metro station has two entrances, one at Q Street and one at 19th Street, both serving the Red Line. The park sits in the center of a multi-lane intersection, so pedestrians should use crosswalks to reach it safely.

Nearby is the Strivers' Section, a historic neighborhood where Frederick Douglass owned five rowhouses in the late 19th century. The original Du Pont statue was removed by his family in 1921 and replaced with the current fountain because they found the depiction unfitting.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Shares border with: West End

GPS coordinates: 38.90964,-77.04344

Latest update: December 17, 2025 07:31