by Ann Kessler A 1913 real estate map of Washington makes it look easy to drive into Rock Creek Park from Connecticut Avenue. Just turn onto Albemarle Street and continue […]
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A century ago, the neighborhood playground was… the neighborhood
In 2019, we published a series of recollections by Fred Rhodes (1913-2001), a federal worker whose long and varied resumé included the Manhattan Project and the Nixon administration. But a century […]
In 1967, the Giant Food in Van Ness was chandeliered and swanky, and above it was DC’s first indoor mall
by Ann Kessler I miss the Van Ness Centre Mall. Granted, it only existed for 16 years, but from 1967 on through 1983 it was part of the community and […]
On March 4th, learn more about the man behind Melvin C. Hazen Park – and the people he helped displace at Fort Reno Park
For decades as a city surveyor, Melvin C. Hazen had a vision for Tenleytown, which included a park at Fort Reno. Standing in his way – a community of Black […]
Forest Hills was nicknamed “Hanukkah Heights.” But Jews and Black people weren’t always welcome.
by Ann Kessler The history of DC real estate is marred by restrictive covenants that prohibited the sale of property to Jews, Black people, and other frequent targets of discrimination. […]
A century ago, poor and ailing children came to a Forest Hills “Country Home”
by Ann Kessler A 1907 Baist real estate atlas shows very little development in what would become Forest Hills. Sure, there were land owners with acres of land, and some […]
History: Who was Melvin C. Hazen?
by Ann Kessler In one newspaper article marking his passing in 1941 at the age of 73, Melvin C. Hazen was called “The Boss,” “First Citizen of Washington,” and “one […]
Harry Truman paid $120/month for his 4701 Connecticut Ave. apartment and loved to walk the neighborhood
by Ann Kessler President Harry S. Truman loved to walk. He did so almost every morning of his adult life. “I go every morning at 6:30 to 7:00 for a […]
One block, 90 years: From Piggly Wiggly to Bread Furst, and the “auto laundry” watching over decades of change
by Ann Kessler On the Flagship Car Wash at 4432 Connecticut Avenue there’s a sign that says “Since 1941.” It’s off by a decade. The car wash was built in […]
When Van Ness was known as “Gasoline Alley”
by Ann Kessler Looking at Connecticut Avenue between Van Ness and Albemarle Streets today, it might be hard to imagine that it was once a destination for drivers seeking gas […]
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