Here we are at Truxton Circle, a place named for something that no longer exists. This neighborhood in Northwest D.C. carries the name of a former traffic circle. The circle once stood at the intersection of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street.
Truxton Circle was constructed around 1900. It was named after US Navy Commodore Thomas Truxtun. The Truxton family once owned the land where the circle was built. Thomas Truxtun was a naval officer in the early U.S. Navy. President George Washington appointed him as one of the first six commanders. These commanders oversaw the construction of the original frigates. Truxtun commanded the Constellation and the President.
The traffic circle once featured a beautiful fountain in the middle. However, the circle became hazardous. It was a site of frequent traffic jams and accidents. In 1925, a traffic light was installed, but it did not solve the problems.
Finally, in 1947, the circle was demolished at a cost of $500,000. The adjacent fountain was removed. The reason? North Capitol Street needed widening to facilitate the flow of commuters.
Even though the circle is gone, the name Truxton Circle remains. It identifies this unique neighborhood. Truxton Circle is part of the Shaw School Urban Renewal Area, later known as the Shaw neighborhood. Shaw also includes Logan Circle and U Street.
Truxton Circle’s boundaries are New Jersey Avenue to the west. Florida Avenue is to the north. New York Avenue marks the southern border. North Capitol Street defines the eastern edge.
Within Truxton Circle, you will find late 19th-century houses. Several historical schools are here. Dunbar High School was the first public high school for black students in the United States. Armstrong Manual Training School is another notable school. Duke Ellington graduated from Armstrong.
Several other school buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the former John Mercer Langston School. Also listed are John Fox Slater Elementary School and the Margaret Murray Washington School.
The neighborhood is home to two civic associations. These are the Bates Area Civic Association and the Hanover Civic Association. These groups work to improve the quality of life in Truxton Circle.
Even without the circle, Truxton Circle remains a vibrant community. Its history is rich and its future is bright. The spirit of Commodore Thomas Truxtun lives on in the name. This is a reminder of the neighborhood’s unique past.