TENLEYTOWN

'Tenleytown' is the historic name for a neighborhood in northwest Washington, DC. It shares the highest point in the city with neighboring American University Park at 429 feet (the city's lowest point, Potomac River is 1 ft. above sea level).
In 1790, the area was called Tennally's Town, named after resident John Tennally and his tavern. The area became known as Tenleytown in the 19th century, although the spelling 'Tennallytown' was also in use for some time, as photographs of streetcars will attest.
Tenleytown houses Fort Reno, one of a ring of forts built to protect Washington DC from invasion during the Civil War. After the war, the fort was dismantled and is now a federal park which hosts a summer concert series of local bands.
Tenleytown and adjacent American University Park are serviced by the Tenleytown-AU stop on the Washington Metro Red Line. The mostly residential area acts as the "town" for American University, and a shuttle runs from the Metro stop to the main campus. The neighborhood is centered on Tenley Circle.
On Tenley Circle itself is St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, a large imposing stone church that serves area Roman Catholics. On the opposite side of the circle is Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church.
Tenleytown was transformed in 1941 when Sears Roebuck opened its department store on Wisconsin Avenue at Albemarle Street. At the time the store was notable for its size and for its rooftop parking. In the 1990s, Sears abandoned its retail operation at the location and the building was used by Hechinger's hardware until its demise in the late 90s. In the 2000s, the building was converted to a mixed-use development complex, with luxury condos on the top level; and a Best Buy, Container Store and an Ace Hardware at street level. The west entrance to the Metro stop is at the front of the building.

Contents

Education

External links

Education

The area is served by the District of Columbia Public Schools district.
Tenleytown is zoned to:

★ Janney Elementary School

★ Deal Junior High School

★ Woodrow Wilson High School
Tenleytown is the location of some major independent schools, such as Sidwell Friends School and Georgetown Day School.

External links

★ Tenleytown Neighborhood Association

★ Tenleytown Historical Society