Fort McNair

A closed off area of town because of the military, Fort McNair is rich in history due to its status as a post for the United States Army. While some argue that this makes them feel safer living in Washington, DC, I doubt there is a line beating down the door to come live here. At best this neighborhood is quiet, at worst it is sterile and cold. At the time I'm writing this, Fort McNair is the only site listed on this website that does not have neighborhood photos. Take that as a sign of its extreme exclusivity, and maybe look just slightly northern in the Waterfront area.

A few years ago I ran the Marine Corp. Marathon and remember seeing this neighborhood for the first time as I ran along Ohio Drive S.W.. I wondered what was there as I noticed the nice homes. Now I know that I was looking at Fort Lesley J. McNair. This is a army facility located in the southwest section of the city along the Anacostia and the S.W. Waterfront, that is home to the National War College. The main entrance is located off of P Street S.W., which offers Metro Bus access.

In addition to the National War College, military members will also find the Industrial College of the Armed Forces here as well. There are no other schools on the base.The facility is relatively small by military standards, so one must assume that that eating, recreation and other facilities are small in comparison. One would assume that what is on the base is very nice given the nature of the base. One thing is for sure, the homes along 1st Avenue are very very nice!

Crime, well I would not expect that there is any as this is a secured facility with no access to civilians allowed without DOD identification.

Fort McNair is a military community and base right next to Buzzard Point. It has been there since the 18th century, being the first fort to protect DC from potential invaders. The only form of housing there is military housing, both for single officers and those accompanied by their families. Because of the diversity of programs at McNair, there are also military officers from allied states there as well. Walking the streets, you may hear more languages than just English being spoken: although the official language will be English at all times, nonetheless others may be spoken at home. Like other military posts, amenities include a post office, commissary, military exchange (shop for military personnel), a clinic, and many offices. Because it is an academic center, Fort McNair also has a library and many classrooms.
If you live there for military reasons, Fort McNair has no crime besides the occasional petty theft, and anything bad that happens will be dealt with by military justice. Of course, if you have kids then you might find a great place to play catch, and plenty of babysitting. Prepare to have your children bussed off base to go to school, as there isn’t one on base.

Fort McNair is the third oldest active military based in the United States. Its two century history is surpassed only by West Point and Carlisle Barracks. In addition to be the official home of the army’s vice chief of staff, it also has the honor of housing the famous “Old Guard,” dedicated to the serve and protection of the President of the United States.

Obviously those who live here are attached in some way to the military. While there may a few military contractors in residence from time to time, soldiers and their families make up the vast majority of the community’s population.

Generally, they are stationed here for one of three reasons. The first group are officers, and the families of officers, attending the National Defense University in preparation for some assignment at home or overseas. Others come to study at the elite Inter-American Defense College. There are only a few students allowed in this advanced college at a time, and they must all carry a rank of colonel or higher. Finally, some residents are here to study, work or teach at the US Army Center for Military History.

Because of the high concentration of officers, Fort McNair tends to have a higher standard of living than most other military installations.