The Neighborhoods of Logan, Scott, and Thomas Circles (DC) (Images of America) [Paperback]

Paul K. Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 2001

From the farm and orchard lands of the mid-1880s to the Civil War encampments, from modest wood frame homes to vast residences of Victorian splendor, the area surrounding the closely located Logan, Scott, and Thomas Circles has for many years been at the center of a rich history. Comprising a diverse architectural and social heritage, these neighborhoods have played a part in the great story of the capital city and have been home to the workingman and woman, the wealthy, the middle class, and the politically powerful alike. Following their use as the site of hangman's gallows for Civil War traitors, all three circles evolved into lush parks surrounded by the elegant, Victorian-era homes that housed nearly all of the nation's elite by the 1890s. Prior to the turn of the twentieth century, these neighborhoods were home to Washington's most influential citizens pioneers and politicians, generals and industrialists and, in the 1930s, to well-known leaders of the city's African-American community, such as Mary McLeod Bethune and Bishop Charles M. Sweet Daddy Grace. Logan Circle survives much as it was today, but many readers will not recognize the early homes, now long gone, that once surrounded Scott and Thomas Circles and have since been replaced by office buildings, hotels, and commercial establishments. Fortunately, a compelling visual record of the development of Logan, Scott, and Thomas Circles remains.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Neighborhoods of Logan, Scott, and Thomas Circles is the second Images of America title by author and historian Paul K. Williams, who has also compiled a visual history of Dupont Circle. The proprietor of Kelsey & Associates, a historic preservation firm specializing in building histories, Mr. Williams has gathered vintage photographs and combined them with an informative text in this new volume to tell the unique story of three Washington, D.C. communities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (November 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738514047
• ISBN-13: 978-0738514048
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,543,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great neighborhood resource, May 2, 2002

By 

Philip C Spalding (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Neighborhoods of Logan, Scott, and Thomas Circles (DC) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Williams is doing a marvelous job of illuminating the history of Washington DC's neighborhoods (first title was the Dupont Circle neighborhood & forthcoming 'Greater U Street'). Discriminating eye for the photographs that illustrate architectural history, social history & the portraits of those who shaped neighborhood development.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Three Circles in Washington D.C., September 15, 2008

By 

Robin Friedman (Washington, D.C. United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Neighborhoods of Logan, Scott, and Thomas Circles (DC) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Within a few blocks of each other in Washington, D.C. lie three circles with equestrian statues commemorating three American heroes. Logan Circle, located at the intersection of 13th street and Rhode Island and Vermont Avenues N.W. and Massachusetts Ave N.W. honors General John Logan, a hero of the Battles of Vicksburg and Atlanta, a founder of Memorial Day, and a U.S. Senator and unsuccessful vice-presidential candidate in 1884. Thomas Circle, located about two blocks west of Logan Circle at 14th and Massachusetts Ave N.W. honors Civil War General George Thomas, one of the Union's greatest generals best-known as the "Rock of Chickamauga". Two blocks further west at 16th and M Street is Scott Circle, named for Winfield Scott, a hero of the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, several Indian wars, and the Civil War, and unsuccessful presidential candidate in 1852. Each of the three circles has a long history and each has witnessed much of the varied life of the city.

In his book "The Neighborhoods of Logan, Scott, and Thomas Circles", (2001), Washington D.C. architectural historian Paul K. Williams offers a photographic history of each of the three circles. This book is part of the "Images of America" series of Arcadia Press which celebrates in photographs much of the local history of the United States. Williams has written several books on Washington D.C. neighborhoods for Arcadia Press, including a volume on Dupont Circle, which lies only a few blocks west of Scott Circle. In his book, Williams presents a brief introduction to Logan, Thomas, and Scott Circles, followed by separate chapters devoted to each neighborhood.

Today's Logan Circle began its history as a Civil War camp which became notorious as a site for hanging deserters and spies. After the Civil War, the Circle became a premier Washington, D.C. residential area, the home of notables such as Ulysses Grant and John Logan himself. At the turn of the Century Logan Circle became home to Washington D.C.'s black elite. The statute to Logan was dedicated in 1901, and Congress changed the name of the circle from "Iowa Circle" to Logan Circle in 1930. Beginning in 1940s, Logan Circle entered into a long, severe period of decline and blight. Together with Thomas Circle, Logan Circle became the center of Washington D.C.'s red-light district, downplayed somewhat by Williams. Rehabilitation of the area began in earnest in the 1970s and continues today. The area was recognized as a Historic District in 1972. Williams offers fascinating views of the many historic homes in the Logan Circle area and of persons who have called Logan Circle home, including early Civil Rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune, and Bishop Charles "Sweet Daddy" Grace, the founder of the D.C. church known as the "United House of Prayer for all People." The most impressive photographs are those of Logan Circle itself, at various times, seasons of the year, and states of repair. The Circle and General Logan bear witness to the changes seen in the area.

Thomas Circle is today the site of one of Washington D.C's busiest intersections, but it too began as a rural area. The statue to General Thomas dates from 1879. Unlike Logan Circle, Thomas Circle became commercialized. The large residences which one occupied the area were replaced by large hotels and businesses, creating today's urban environment. The Luther Place Memorial Church and the Christian National City Church lie on the northeast and northwest sides of Thomas Circle and add great presence. An underpass was constructed under the Circle on Massachusetts Avenue in 1940. Here again, Williams' most impressive photographs are those of General Thomas and his circle, such as the stunning photograph of the statue during a cold winter night of 1918 (p. 69). Williams again downplays the lengthy period of notoriety of Thomas Circle.

Scott Circle actually includes three memorials. In thinking about this book, I visited Scott Circle and watched the endless flow of pedestrians and traffic. Scott Circle itself has no place to sit, and I went to the large memorial to the German physician Samuel Hahnemann, dedicated in 1900 (p. 98) just east of the statue of Scott. Scott's statue dates from 1874. Just west of the statue to Scott is a statue to Senator Daniel Webster, dedicated on a winter's day in 1900.( p. 95) During its early years, Scott Circle was home to large mansions owned by the politically powerful and the wealthy. The character of the area changed, and today Scott Circle consists of office and apartment buildings that bear little relationship to the historical character of the area that Williams documents. Williams offers interesting photographs of the interiors and exteriors of the old mansions. He falls victim to confusion in mistaking Winfield Scott for his near namesake, General Winfield Scott Hancock, the Union hero of the Battle of Gettysburg. The purported photograph of Winfield Scott in Williams' book (p. 87) is in fact a photo of Hancock. Scott Circle has an interesting history but little of the racy past of Logan and Thomas Circles.

Williams offers a gentrified but still excellent introduction to three old neighborhoods. It is a delight to walk through these Circles and to think about what these distinguished generals on horseback have seen over the years.

Robin Friedman