Neighborhood profile: Brightwood

Located to the east of Rock Creek park and south of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the neighborhood of Brightwood stretches across DC's northwest quadrant to 5th Street NW. 

When a major thoroughfare connecting Rockville, Maryland and Washington City was first built in the early 1800s, what would one day become the neighborhood of Brightwood sprang up along today's Georgia Avenue. Brightwood (at other times also called "Brighton" and "Crystal Springs"- for the many springs that flowed out of Rock Creek) was a small outpost that included a post office, a chapel, a roadside inn and tavern and a toll house for the turnpike. Later, a horse racing track would attract even more attention to the little neighborhood.

But when the Civil War erupted in 1861, the quiet little area of Brightwood quickly changed as it became the home of Fort Stevens. Guarding the northern entrance into the city, on July 11, 1864, Union troops went out from the fort to confront Confederate troops in what would be the only battle fought within the city limits of Washington DC. According to some accounts, President Lincoln rode out to the fort on July 11th and 12th, even briefly coming under enemy fire. By the end of the 12th day of July, the Confederate army was retreating and the Union had won.

Brightwood also served as the makeshift home to another army: Coxey's Army. In 1894, unemployed workers descended on the Capitol from their camp in Brightwood, lobbying the government to create jobs building roads and for other public works improvements. Coxey's Army march was the first significant popular protest march held in the city and thousands gathered to participate or watch. In fact, a little known author at the time, L. Frank Baum, observed the march and- some say- his famous novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz reflects what he saw.

You probably won't find a tin man, lion and scarecrow roaming down Georgia Avenue, but what you will find in today's Brightwood are single family homes, townhouses, small apartment buildings and a good amount of retail. With easy access downtown (or to the Emerald City, if you prefer) and a quick trip into tranquil Rock Creek Park, Brightwood continues to be a neighborhood sought out for both its quiet atmosphere and it's proximity to many of DC's office buildings.  

If you're interested in looking at homes in the Brightwood neighborhood or other areas throughout DC, contact me to help you navigate your way through the home buying process!