Foggy Bottom: DC's Oldest Settlement
The Foggy Bottom Washington DC neighbothood conjures many descriptions depending on the demographic: “college” for George Washington University students, “work” for many U.S. State Department and World Bank employees, “old money” for residents, and “Metro” for those trying to reach Georgetown. However, the Foggy Bottom Washington DC neighborhood is one of the oldest in the district, situated by Rock Creek Parkway and the transition separating the National Mall, Dupont Circle and Georgetown.
For many, Foggy Bottom can be easily forgotten, a place that people visit only if they have tickets to the Kennedy Center, friends studying at GW, or are taking the Metro towards Georgetown. However, Foggy Bottom offers a unique blend of history, politics, academia, residential life and gardens. Its quiet streets invite many with money to buy condos and houses in the area, such as within the infamous Watergate complex. GW has since purchased many buildings in the neighborhood as it continues to grow in size.
Foggy Bottom, situated where the Potomac River and Rock Creek meet, is one of the earliest settlements in DC, settled by a German named Jacob Funck in 1763. In that year he set land aside for the Concordia German Evangelical Church, which was founded in 1833. Today, the church still exists, running as The United Church. Foggy Bottom was possibly named for the smoke given off by the industries that were once situated there – glass plants, breweries and city gas works. The neighborhood is also home to the American Meridian, designated by Congress in 1850 and marked on the ground.
Today, Foggy Bottom enjoys a waterfront, views of the National Mall and the start of Rock Creek Park, with its winding paths and park system. Students often gather at the popular McFadden's bar, while those with more money in their pockets head to Kinkead's, one of DC's top-rated seafood restaurants. The Kennedy Center's rooftop terrace offers spectacular views of the Potomac, with free nightly performances at the Millenium Stage.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
