Tenleytown

Coordinates: 38°56′46″N 77°04′44″W / 38.946°N 77.079°W / 38.946; -77.079
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the Washington D.C. neighborhood. For the Metro stop, see Tenleytown–AU station.
Tenleytown
Neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Top: Washington College of Law (left) and Wisconsin Avenue (right); bottom: Metropolitan Memorial Church (left), St. Ann's Church (center), and Eldbrooke Church (right)
Map of Washington, D.C., with Tenleytown highlighted in red
Map of Washington, D.C., with Tenleytown highlighted in red
Coordinates: 38°56′46″N 77°04′44″W / 38.946°N 77.079°W / 38.946; -77.079
CountryUnited States
DistrictWashington, D.C.
WardWard 3
Government
 • CouncilmemberMatthew Frumin
Area code202
Websitehttp://tenleytowndc.org/
Aerial view of Tenleytown from the southwest, looking towards Fort Reno Park and Wakefield. Tenley Circle is at the bottom right.

Tenleytown is a historic neighborhood in

Northwest, Washington, D.C.

History

In 1790, locals began calling the neighborhood "Tennally's Town" after area tavern owner John Tennally. Over time, the spelling has evolved and by the 19th century the area was commonly known by its current name, although the spelling Tennallytown continued to be used for some time in certain capacities,[1] including streetcars through the 1920s.

The area is the site of Fort Reno, one of the forts that formed a ring around Washington, D.C. during the American Civil War to protect the capital against invasions. It proved to be the crucial lookout point for preventing a siege of Washington, because it is the highest natural elevation point in the District of Columbia.

Fort Reno was decommissioned with the surrender of the

Confederate army. The last remains of Fort Reno were removed about 1900, when the land owned by the Dyer family was being prepared for a reservoir.[2]

Due to its elevation it is also the site of the oldest home in Washington, D.C., Charles Jones's home, called “The Rest,” is believed to have originally been built around 1700 and significantly expanded around 1800.[3] This home stayed in the Jones family until 1920 when the Magruders (local grocers) bought the home. In 1974, the current family owning the home bought the house and still own it today.

After the American Civil War, what is now Fort Reno Park developed into an African-American community. This community existed in tension with the white residents of Tenleytown, as well as major landholders. Eventually, a coalition of groups persuaded the unelected government of D.C. and the Federal Government to clear the community for segregated neighborhood resources: Deal Middle School, a park, and a water tower. The Reno School building, built in 1903 for African-American students, is one of the few remaining traces of this community.

Within the park boundaries lies the highest natural point in the District of Columbia, 409 feet above sea level. Fort Reno also hosts community gardens, free

concerts in the summer, sledding
in the winter, and tennis courts, playing fields, and dog-walkers year round. Jackson-Reed HS baseball now uses the ball field for its home games.

Tenleytown was transformed on October 2, 1941, when

Metro station is at the front of the building across from Whole Foods Market.[4]

In 2010, the Top of the Town: Tenleytown Heritage Trail opened. Starting at the Tenleytown–AU metro station, the trail passes neighborhood landmarks such as American University, Fort Reno Park, and the studios of WRC-TV, Washington's NBC-affiliated station.[5]

Geographic impact

The Cityline Building, home to The Container Store, condominiums, and the west entrance of the Tenleytown-AU Station

The neighborhood is home to the highest point in Washington,

District of Columbia government reversed its position, and the incomplete tower was demolished in August 2006.[6]

Transportation

Tenleytown and adjacent

32, 36, 33, 30S, 30N, 37, D32, H2, H3, H4, M4, W45, and W47 serve the neighborhood, all making stops at the station.[8]

The neighborhood is defined by

Washington College of Law
, on the site of the former Immaculata School, also bounds the western edge of the circle.

Education

Jackson-Reed High School
Janney Elementary School

The area is served by the District of Columbia Public Schools. Tenleytown is zoned to:

Tenleytown is the location of several independent schools, including National Presbyterian School (PS-6) and Georgetown Day School, whose 2021 campus expansion allowed its lower and middle schools to join the high school in Tenleytown.

The District of Columbia Public Library system operates the Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library, whose 2011 building sits at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Albemarle Streets.[12]

Historic landmarks

Several Tenleytown landmarks are listed on the

Immaculata Seminary Historic District, and the Eldbrooke United Methodist Church and its adjoining Methodist Cemetery. There are two educational properties listed on the NRHP: Jackson-Reed High School and Janney Elementary School
.

References

  1. ^ "Tenleytown, Tennallytown, or Tenallytown?". Ghosts of DC. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  2. ISBN 0-9606986-1-2
    .
  3. ^ "the Tenleytown Historical Society". www.tenleytownhistoricalsociety.org. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  4. ^ Forgey, Benjamin (September 3, 2005). "Top Floor: Home Goods". The Washington Post.
  5. ^ a b "Digital Signal Sources". The Washington Post.
  6. ^ Schwartzman, Paul (March 18, 2006). "Steel 'Monstrosity' In Tenleytown To Be Dismantled". The Washington Post.
  7. ^ {{Cite web | How Washington, DC universities get commuters out of cars |url=https://mobilitylab.org/transportation-demand-management/commuter-services/how-washington-dc-universities-get-commuters-out-of-cars/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Mobility Lab |language=en-US}}
  8. ^ "Timetables". Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
  9. ^ "Elementary Schools" (2016-2017 School Year). District of Columbia Public Schools. Retrieved on May 27, 2018.
  10. ^ "Middle School Boundary Map" (2016-2017 School Year). District of Columbia Public Schools. Retrieved on May 27, 2018.
  11. ^ "High School Boundary Map" (2016-2017 School Year). District of Columbia Public Schools. Retrieved on May 27, 2018.
  12. ^ "Hours & Locations." District of Columbia Public Library. Retrieved on October 21, 2009.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tenleytown, Washington, D.C..

https://mobilitylab.org/transportation-demand-management/commuter-services/how-washington-dc-universities-get-commuters-out-of-cars/https://mobilitylab.org/transportation-demand-management/commuter-services/how-washington-dc-universities-get-commuters-out-of-cars/

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