DC Circles #1 - Logan Circle

Having lived in Paris I am used to circles. In France we call them "rond-points" (or roundabouts in English), and yes, driving around (and even walking around through) these circles can be a pain.  I do find delight in discovering these circles around D.C., as it does remind me of my time living in France. 

These traffic circles are part of the L'Enfant Plan, an urban plan of the city of Washington, developed in 1791 by Major Pierre L'Enfant. L'Enfant was appointed by President George Washington to design the future city, which would later become the District of Columbia. And yes, Monsieur L'Enfant was French, hence the inspiration. 

This is part one of my series of Washington D.C. traffic circles: Logan Circle.

Logan Circle was initially known as Iowa Circle, in line with L'Enfant's naming of avenues and circles after US states. In 1930,  Congress changed the name to Logan Circle in honor of John A. Logan, a commander during the civil war, who lived on 4 Logan Circle from 1885 until his death. 

Unlike the other D.C. circles, this circle is purely residential. This has become my neighborhood circle when I moved to 11 & L Streets in July, and I would spend summer afternoons passing through the circle on my way to the busy commercial sections of 14th and P, and  U Streets. Logan Circle is part of two historic landmarks, the Logan Circle Historic District, and the Fourteenth Street Historic District. 

The Logan Circle Historic District is my personal favorite, containing late 19th century row houses designed in the late Victorian and Romanesque revival architecture. 

Aside from the historic row houses, Logan Circle is also perfect for: sunbathing (with some privacy), pit stop on your way to 14th St & P, jogging, walking your dog and chit chat over coffee (my recommendation: The Coffee Bar on 12th & S Streets).