Washington Circle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Washington Circle |
|
|---|---|
Washington Circle during spring
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Public transit access | Foggy Bottom–GWU station |
Washington Circle is a busy traffic circle in Washington, D.C., USA. It is located in the northwest part of the city. This circle sits between the Foggy Bottom and West End neighborhoods. It is also part of the Ward 2 area.
The circle is where several important streets meet. These include 23rd Street, K Street, New Hampshire Avenue, and Pennsylvania Avenue. A tunnel carries the main lanes of K Street (which is U.S. Route 29) right under the circle. Other local lanes of K Street meet the circle above ground.
Contents
History of Washington Circle
How the Circle Began
Washington Circle first appeared on a map in 1791. This map was drawn by Pierre L’Enfant, who designed the city of Washington, D.C. L'Enfant's plan showed streets laid out in a grid pattern. Many intersections and other circles were also part of his design.
Washington Circle was placed in a very important spot. It connects four major roads. New Hampshire Avenue leads from the circle to DuPont Circle. Pennsylvania Avenue offers a nice view towards the White House. The circle also connects 23rd and K Streets.
Growing in the 1800s
By 1850, Washington Circle and the area around it were slowly developing. New Hampshire Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue became more important roads. However, 23rd and K Streets were still not fully developed. The circle itself was quite plain back then. It was even known as a dangerous part of the city.
In 1851, K Street, which was the widest road in the area, also got paved. More than thirty buildings were built around the circle, especially between New Hampshire and Pennsylvania Avenues. The growth of Washington Circle was slow. This was partly because the government did not fully support the city's development at first.
The Civil War Years
The American Civil War happened from 1861 to 1865. Washington Circle played an important role for the Union Army during this time. In 1862, streetcar tracks were put around the circle. These tracks were used to move war weapons and machinery.
South of the circle, along 23rd Street, was a Union army camp called Camp Fry. This camp was a place where wounded soldiers could recover. After the war, Camp Fry was taken down. Old St. Paul’s Church was built in 1866. It was the first church near the circle. St. Ann’s Infant Asylum was also in the area during the 1860s.
Washington Circle Today
The neighborhood around Washington Circle changed a lot in the 1900s. George Washington University moved its campus to the Foggy Bottom area. This part of the city was originally meant for homes. But with the university moving in, the area became more focused on institutions. For example, the George Washington University Hospital is now located on the southeast side of the park.
Neighborhood Around the Circle
The Foggy Bottom campus of George Washington University (GWU) is right next to Washington Circle. GWU's Square 54 complex is just south of the circle. This area is also home to The George Washington University Hospital. The closest subway station is Foggy Bottom–GWU on the Washington Metro system.
Statue of George Washington
In the middle of Washington Circle, there is a large bronze statue. It shows George Washington riding his horse during the Battle of Princeton. The artist, Clark Mills, created this sculpture. It was placed in the circle on February 22, 1860.
The idea for the statue came from the Continental Congress in 1783. But it wasn't until 1853 that the statue was ordered. It cost $60,000 to make. Mills designed General Washington in a heroic and grand style. The horse in the statue was based on a wild horse caught in Kansas. Today, the National Park Service takes care of the park area around Washington's statue.
Images for kids
-
Washington Circle's park
See also
In Spanish: Washington Circle para niños
