Neighborhoods of Upper Northwest DC
A Civil War encampment in Tenleytown, showing the area's strategic importance during the war. Library of Congress.
Upper Northwest Washington, D.C. encompasses several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character, history, and development story. Together, they form one of the most desirable residential areas in the nation's capital.
Tenleytown
Character
The historic heart of Upper Northwest, Tenleytown is a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood centered on Wisconsin Avenue.
Boundaries
- Generally bounded by Fessenden Street to the south
- Yuma Street to the north
- Reno Road to the east
- 42nd Street to the west
Key Features
- Wisconsin Avenue commercial corridor
- Metro Red Line station (Tenleytown-AU)
- Fort Reno Park (highest point in DC)
- Historic street grid dating to colonial era
[See the Tenleytown page for detailed history]
American University Park (AU Park)
Character
A quiet, family-oriented residential neighborhood of single-family homes developed primarily in the 1920s.
Boundaries
- Massachusetts Avenue to the south
- Wisconsin Avenue to the east
- Nebraska Avenue to the north
- Western Avenue (Maryland border) to the west
Key Features
- Approximately 2,700 homes
- Mix of Colonial, Craftsman, and Tudor Revival architecture
- Janney Elementary School
- Strong community identity
Development History
- Initial development by Croissant & Stone (1896-1897)
- Major development by W.C. & A.N. Miller Company (1920s)
[See the AU Park page for detailed history]
Friendship Heights
Character
An urban commercial and residential area straddling the DC-Maryland border, historically known as a regional retail destination.
Boundaries
- Fessenden Street NW and Tenleytown to the south
- Somerset Terrace and Willard Avenue (Maryland) to the north
- River Road to the west
- Reno Road and 41st Street to the east
Key Features
- Major retail corridor (though changing)
- High-rise residential development
- Metro Red Line station
- Cross-border character shared with Maryland
Recent Evolution
The neighborhood has undergone significant change: - 2020: Lord & Taylor and Neiman Marcus closed - 2022: Mazza Gallerie closed - 2024: Redevelopment focusing on residential density
Historic Retail
For decades, Friendship Heights was the only place in or near DC with multiple traditional department stores: - Bloomingdale's - Saks Fifth Avenue - Lord & Taylor (closed 2020) - Neiman Marcus (closed 2020)
Wesley Heights
Character
An upscale residential neighborhood of large homes on generous lots, developed as one of the first master-planned communities in the United States.
Boundaries
- Located west of Tenleytown
- Borders Spring Valley to the north
- Cathedral Heights to the south
Development History
1923: W.C. & A.N. Miller began development after acquiring 80 acres.
The Miller brothers created a planned community featuring: - Large Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival homes - Elevated sites with views of the Potomac River - A shuttle service to the Wisconsin Avenue streetcar - A community clubhouse (Wesley Heights Community Club)
Architectural Character
- Large homes on generous lots
- Predominantly Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival styles
- Curvilinear streets following natural topography
- Mature tree canopy
Discriminatory Covenants (Historical)
Prior to the 1968 Fair Housing Act, property deeds for houses in Wesley Heights included religious and racial covenants excluding African Americans, Jews, and other minorities.
One deed from December 1928 stated:
"...shall not be sold to any person of the Semitic race, blood or origin which racial description can be deemed to include Jews, Hebrews, Armenians, Persians and Syrians."
These covenants are no longer enforceable but remain on some original deed documents.
Spring Valley
Character
One of Washington's most prestigious residential neighborhoods, known for its large homes, curving streets, and wooded setting.
Boundaries
- Located northwest of American University
- Borders Wesley Heights to the south
- Massachusetts Avenue forms the eastern boundary
Development History
1929: W.C. & A.N. Miller acquired 300+ acres west of Wesley Heights for development.
Key innovations: - First curvilinear development of such magnitude in DC - Streets designed to fit the contour of hills and valleys - Many original trees preserved - Modeled on planned communities in Shaker Heights, Ohio
The Millers sought to develop Spring Valley into the "Garden Spot of Washington."
WWI Chemical Weapons Legacy
Spring Valley sits on land once used as the American University Experiment Station, where the U.S. Army conducted chemical weapons research during World War I.
Since 1993, when contractors discovered buried ordnance: - 1,632 properties have been tested for contamination - 177 properties found with high levels of arsenic - Ongoing remediation efforts continue
[See the American University page for more on this history]
Notable Residents
Spring Valley has been home to numerous politicians, diplomats, and prominent figures, attracted by its large homes and privacy.
Reno City (Historic - Destroyed)
Character
A racially integrated, predominantly African American community that existed from the post-Civil War era until the 1920s.
Location
The site of present-day Fort Reno Park, Deal Middle School, and Jackson-Reed High School athletic fields.
Population
- Approximately 100 homes
- About 75% Black and 25% white
- Stores, churches, and a fraternal lodge
Destruction
In the 1920s, the community was deliberately destroyed through: - Systematic condemnation of homes - Demolition of African American properties - Displacement of residents
The land was then used for: - Fort Reno Reservoir - Alice Deal Junior High School - Wilson High School athletic fields
Legacy
The Jesse Reno School building (1903) is one of the few remaining physical traces of this community.
[See the Fort Reno page for more details]
Comparative Overview
| Neighborhood | Primary Development Era | Character | Housing Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenleytown | 1790s-present | Mixed use, commercial/residential | Varied |
| AU Park | 1890s-1930s | Residential, family-oriented | Single-family homes |
| Friendship Heights | 1920s-present | Commercial, urban | Mix of single-family and high-rise |
| Wesley Heights | 1920s | Upscale residential | Large single-family homes |
| Spring Valley | 1920s-1930s | Prestigious residential | Large single-family homes |
| Reno City | 1866-1920s (destroyed) | Working-class residential | Small homes |
Common Themes
Transportation-Driven Development
All neighborhoods were shaped by transportation: - The Georgetown-Frederick Road created Tenleytown - The streetcar (1890) opened areas for development - The automobile influenced Spring Valley's design - The Metro (1984) continues to shape the area
The Miller Legacy
The W.C. & A.N. Miller Company shaped much of Upper Northwest: - Wesley Heights (1923) - Spring Valley (1929) - AU Park (1920s development)
Their emphasis on planned communities, architectural covenants, and preservation of natural features established the character of these neighborhoods.
Racial History
The area's history includes: - Displacement of Native Americans (Nacotchtank people) - Destruction of Reno City (African American community) - Discriminatory deed covenants - Ongoing efforts at recognition and reconciliation
Educational Excellence
The neighborhoods are served by highly regarded public schools: - Janney Elementary School - Alice Deal Middle School - Jackson-Reed High School
This educational infrastructure is a major factor in the area's desirability.