Tenleytown

Tenleytown is the historic name for a neighborhood in northwest Washington, DC. It is the second oldest neighborhood in Washington, being surpassed in age only by Georgetown. Additionally, Tenleytown shares the highest point in the city with neighboring American University Park at 410 feet (the city's lowest point, Potomac River is 1 ft. above sea level).

In 1790, the area was called Tennally's Town, named after resident John Tennally and his tavern. The area became known as Tenleytown in the 19th century, although the spelling Tennallytown was also in use for some time, as photographs of streetcars will attest.

Tenleytown houses Fort Reno, one of a ring of forts built to protect Washington DC from invasion during the Civil War. After the war, the fort was dismantled and is now a federal park which hosts a summer concert series of local bands.

Tenleytown and adjacent American University Park are serviced by the Tenleytown-AU stop on the Washington Metro Red Line. The mostly residential area acts as the "town" for American University, and a shuttle runs from the Metro stop to the main campus. The neighborhood is centered on Tenley Circle.

Tenleytown is home to one of the largest public high schools in the District: Woodrow Wilson Senior High School (Washington, DC). It is the location of some major independent schools, such as Sidwell Friends School and Georgetown Day School.

Tenleytown was transformed in 1941 when Sears Roebuck opened its department store on Wisconsin Avenue. The building later became Hechinger's and recently a mixed-use development complex, with luxury condos, a Best Buy, Container Store, and an Ace Hardware.

External links

• Tenleytown Neighborhood Association
• Tenleytown Historical Society