{"id":114030,"date":"2021-03-26T07:10:09","date_gmt":"2021-03-26T14:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/?p=114030"},"modified":"2026-02-26T05:20:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T13:20:23","slug":"living-in-the-midst-of-history-in-d-c-s-fort-totten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/living-in-the-midst-of-history-in-d-c-s-fort-totten\/","title":{"rendered":"Living in the Midst of History in D.C.\u2019s Fort Totten"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fort Totten got its name from a fort that was built during the Civil War as part of the Northern Defenses. The fort itself is mostly in ruins but is located at a high point overlooking the Soldiers’ Home or Military Asylum, and President Lincoln’s summer home. It is located in Washington close to Silver Spring, Maryland and several miles from the U.S. Capitol.<\/p>\n

Where is Fort Totten?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Fort Totten is a neighborhood located in Ward 5 of Northeast Washington, D.C. It is situated between Riggs Road and Bates Rd and North Capitol Street NW.<\/p>\n

The neighborhood is very close to the Catholic University of America, Providence Hospital, Rock Creek Cemetery and Soldiers Home Cemetery.<\/p>\n

History<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Fort Totten neighborhood got its name from an actual Civil War-era fort built by General Joseph Gilbert Totten.<\/p>\n

The fort has 20 guns and mortars, as well as a large 100-pounder Parrott rifle for long-range firing. It\u2019s a great place to visit in order to learn a bit of history.<\/p>\n

Lifestyle<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What to Do<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cycling and hiking are popular among residents. Fort Totten Park and the Washington Metropolitan Branch Trail run from the Silver Spring Metro Station to Washington Union Station in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

You can walk around the remains of\u00a0the Civil War fort which gave the neighborhood its name, but the area is not very well-maintained. Also go for a visit to President Lincoln’s Cottage, which is nearby to experience history.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by National Gallery of Art (@ngadc)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n