Tucked
between North Capitol Street and Second Street in northwest D.C. is an enclave of
tree-lined streets and early twentieth-century brick row houses,
many topped with conical towers and many built by the era’s
dominant developer, Harry Wardman. It’s known as Bloomingdale,
named for a former estate that was divided and sold in 1889. Only
two miles north of the U.S. Capitol, the area attracted
development when the North Capitol streetcar line extended and a
commute to downtown became possible. Bloomingdale’s mix of row
houses, some elegant and spacious and others more modest,
attracted a range of buyers. During the walk you’ll be introduced
to many of the prominent residents who located there as well as
to the architects who gave these blocks a distinctive
character. Although Bloomingdale builders often put
restrictions in deeds that stipulated houses could be occupied
only by whites, the neighborhood’s location and housing stock
made it especially attractive to black buyers, many who were
employed at nearby Howard University. One was the attorney who helped
abolish racially restricted housing nationwide–based on a
case involving a property in Bloomingdale. We’ll show you
where. We’ll also reveal the location of a “secret” park. (PHOTO
Ronnie R via Flickr)
$20 per person
($5 discount with federal or military I.D.)
MEET IN THE
LITTLE PARK ACROSS THE STREET FROM BIG BEAR CAFE (1700 FIRST
STREET, NW)
Led by
Brian with special guest Sarah
Shoenfeld,
lead historian for the LeDroit Park/Bloomingdale
Heritage Trail.
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