Most People Don’t Realize This Unique Tunnel In Washington DC Exists

Underneath Dupont Circle is an abandoned underground trolley station that is made up of a series of passageways that extend for nearly a mile. It is coming to light after almost 50 years.

The tunnels originally opened in 1949 and connected to above ground trolley tracks but the trolley system closed in 1963 as ridership decreased and more Americans started driving. The tunnels were abandoned but parts were used as a fallout shelter in the 1970s. In 1995, part of the underground station was transformed into an unsuccessful food court and closed in less than a year.

But now Dupont Underground, an arts coalition is transforming the old trolley station and tunnels into a 75,000 square interactive arts, design, and architectural destination. In April, the Dupont Underground hosted its first art installation, an exhibit called Raise/Raze by Josh De Sousa and his wife and business partner Nancy Hou, which featured 650,000 plastic balls that guests could mix, match, and recreate. The first portion of the tunnel system will open this fall.

The future of the Dupont Underground is still unknown but the unique space and history could attract more and more interest and who knows what could happen?