Fort Totten

The Fort Totten neighborhood in Northeast DC takes its name from a Civil War-era fort, one of a series of defenses built around the perimeter of the District after the First Battle of Bull Run in Virginia. While off the beaten path and not a tourist attraction, the remains of the fort still exist. Located to the north of Capitol Hill, land that long ago was farmland is now a primarily a residential community. Fort Totten is also home to the Washington Hospital Center, the largest private not-for-profit hospital in DC, which has a world-wide reputation for its heart and trauma services.

Like much of the surrounding area, homes in the Fort Totten area tend to be row or townhomes built shortly after World War II. The Metro stop in the community – not surprisingly named Fort Totten – is one of the few in Washington, DC that has not spurred significant development, but there are plans underway that could change the face of the neighborhood.

North Capital Street runs along the west side of Fort Totten, offering easy access to Capitol Hill to the south and suburban Maryland to the north. Buses provide great service through the area, and the Fort Totten Metro is the jumping off point for access to the entire metro system.