WHAT YOU'LL SEE!

Welcome to Brightwood, where a distinguished past meets a promising present. A roam through Brightwood will reveal an illustrious Civil War legacy and an eclectic assortment of architecture and shops. So summon your inner history buff, grab your walking shoes, and check out this modern urban neighborhood!

"GET DOWN, YOU FOOL!"

More than one individual took credit for shouting this to President Lincoln while he stood, top hat and all, on the Fort Stevens parapet as Confederate soldiers took aim. That hot July day in 1864, Lincoln became the only sitting U.S. president to come under enemy fire.

If you’re a Civil War aficionado, Brightwood has stories galore. Not only is the area home to Fort Stevens, site of the only Civil War battle to occur in the nation’s capital, it also includes Battleground National Cemetery, the final resting place of 41 Union soldiers who fell that day.

MODERN TIMES

Although the residential portions of Brightwood have remained relatively unchanged over the years, Georgia Avenue has experienced some hard times. Today, however, this thoroughfare is enjoying a renaissance, thanks in part to the city’s Great Streets program. New residences and businesses are opening; old ones are receiving façade improvements. With the recreational attractions of nearby Rock Creek Park, the quiet, solid community is welcoming the next wave of people who appreciate Brightwood’s friendly spirit. Don’t forget to take a stroll down Georgia Avenue to check out the variety of businesses that line the strip.
This information provided courtesy of Cultural Tourism DC. For additional information, visit: http://www.culturaltourismdc.org