DuPont Circle is an historic neighborhood just inside the “Old City”, that part of Washington included in Pierre L’Enfant’s original plan for the capital. It was a popular place for the late 19th century captains of industry to build mansions for their families, although all too many of these lovely historic residences have fallen to the wrecking ball. 
Today, there are many Victorian bay front town homes on the side streets, and a few of the original mansions remain as clubs and embassies. At 15 DuPont Circle, The Washington Club occupies the only remaining original mansion on the Circle.
After World War II, the neighborhood lost its chic. When I first moved to Washington in the early 70’s, DuPont Circle had a really high funk factor, and was the neighborhood of choice for gutsy urban pioneers and the local Bohemians. (In the 1970's, my sister, Joan, even wrote a folk song about some urban pioneers whose house was for sale, and they were bribing a wino to leave their stoop during the Open House and go over to the next block.) By the time I got my real estate license, it was still a little dicey, with run down mansions being purchased by people who wanted to restore them to their original glory days. 
Now, DuPont Circle has reclaimed its luster and is a favorite neighborhood for people who want to be close to downtown where the action is. It is an historic district with a combination of restored townhouses, condominiums and rental apartments. And once again, the neighborhood is chic and trendy.
It’s an easy walk to downtown offices and a healthy walk to the White House and Old Executive Office Building. And along Connecticut Avenue, 17th and 18th Streets, there are lots of great restaurants and some interesting shps. The Metro station, which is about 200 feet below the Circle, makes the neighborhood an easy commute to many downtown offices, National Airport, Union Station and other parts of the area.
I guess back in old days, before the Congressional Medal of Honor, if you served with great distinction, you got a traffic circle! DuPont Circle had it’s name changed from Pacific Circle to honor Rear Admiral Samuel Francis DuPoint, who served in the Civil War and was the superintendent of the US Naval Academy.
This sounds like a really cool area with so much within walking distance. That Washington Club actually looks more like a boutique hotel than a private home!
My aunt and uncle live in Princeton but they had a place at Dupont Circle - quite a lively place.
I will be visiting DC sometime w/my daughter this year - GW, Georgetown, etc. and will probably touch base w/you on the visits. It may even be worth a blog for you - prospective parents buying for kids..Anyway, just got back from Vanderbilt in Nashville tonight.
Hi Patricia,
When an out-of-town, make that out-of-the-country client contacted me because of my ActiveRain profile to help him with colors and other fix ups and also possibly stage his condo at 18th and T Streets, NW for sale, I looked on AR for the perfect REA for him, in case he doesn't have one, and your name came up with this delightful blog. Great marketing! Call me, and let's talk.