DuPont Underground
Operated:
1949 -- Present
Location:
1527 - 1583 New Hampshire Ave NW
38.9102, -77.0427
Key Figures:
Geary Stephen Simon, Julian Hunt, Capital Transit
Other Names:
DuPont Down Under
Historical Timeline
Trolley Station
In 1890, the first street car came to Washington D.C., but it quickly became popular and lead to tense congestion. In 1918, Congress sought to find a solution. World War II saw an influx of individuals using the system.
In 1949, Capital Transit created a trolley system through DuPont Circle.
After 13 years filled with labor protests and the rise of cars, the trolley came to an end. The underground was turned into a food court, which did not last long due to the poor conditions and the project individuals (such as Geary Stephen Simon) were in and out of jail:
“Apparently the ventilation failed within the first month and the place didn’t smell good ... I know people who went down there during summer months and it just was not pleasant."
-- Agnese
Contemporary Art
In 2003, Julian Hunt moved to D.C. from Barcelona, Spain, and quickly fell in love with the underground structure. He applied to make the space something new.
While he secured a 66 month lease, it is running out and he and others are working to make the current Underground a permeant experience under DuPont Circle.