The area is anchored on the southern end by the award-winning Meridian Hill Park. The federally-administered land is one of the more beautiful parks in the area with its stunning Cascade and fountains and surrounding huge mansions. It lies at the edge of the escarpment overlooking downtown. From the homes along the ridge one can see the Capitol dome, the Washington Monument, Georgetown, and on a clear day Bailey's Crossroads in Virginia. Once on the ridge, the land known historically as Pleasant Plains, becomes fairly flat, only gently slopping up to the north.
Homes here are generally large with three stories and a full basement.
The houses typically have faux fireplaces, high ceilings, wood floors and lots of handcrafted woodwork throughout the house. Remember that ice storm in January when all those power lines came crashing down and shut off electricity for thousands of homes. There were three nearly parallel lines of streetcars and a fourth just west of the neighborhood. With the opening of the Columbia Heights Metro station, some of this easy access to public transportation will be brought back. For more information, call 332-6468.