District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA INVENTORY OF HISTORIC SITES The D.C. Inventory of Historic Sites is the official list of historic properties maintained by the Government of the District of Columbia. These properties are deemed worthy of recognition and protection for their contribution to the cultural heritage of the city that is both national capital and home to more than a half million residents. The Inventory had its beginnings in 1964 and remains a work in progress. It is being continually expanded as additional survey and research supports new designations and more complete documentation of existing listings. At present, there are about 600 entries, covering more than 535 landmark buildings, 100 other structures, and 100 parks and places. There are also about two dozen designated building clusters and another two dozen neighborhood historic districts encompassing an estimated 23,500 buildings. Complete professional documentation of such a large number of properties to current preservation standards is an extensive undertaking that is still incomplete. For this reason, some listings in the Inventory provide a full description of the historic property, while others provide outline information only. Organization: The layout of the Inventory is designed to promote understanding of significant properties within their historic context. Designations are grouped by historical time period and theme, rather than being listed in alphabetical order. For organizational purposes, the historical development of the District of Columbia is divided into six broad historical eras, with separate sections on early Georgetown and Washington County, the port town and outlying countryside that were separate legal entities within the District for most of the 19th century. Under each main heading, there are subheadings by theme or building type, and under each subheading, related historic properties are listed in roughly chronological order. For listing purposes, the date of a property is generally considered its date of construction or primary historic development, except for properties designated primarily for association with an individual, in which case the individual’s period of residence or historical prominence is used. How to Find a Listing: A quick review of the table of contents will give a general understanding of the organization of the inventory. The table of contents is best used to search for a type or group of related properties. To search for a single property by name, consult the main alphabetical index at the end of the document. The index is cross-referenced by both historic and common name. If only a street address is known, there is also a street address index for added convenience. The street address index is particularly useful in checking whether a given property falls within the boundaries of a designated historic district. Cross-References: Extensive cross-referencing throughout the text of the Inventory is intended to serve several purposes. First, any thematic matrix requires an exercise of judgment in listing properties that are not always neatly categorized, and cross-references suggest alternate historical interpretations. Second, most historic districts and many buildings constructed over an extended period represent different facets of historical development and should be considered in multiple contexts. And finally, cross-referencing of key properties within historic districts helps broaden understanding of the many historically significant resources that can be overlooked for lack of separate historic landmark designations. Informational Listings: In addition to officially designated historic properties, the Inventory also includes informational listings for demolished landmarks and other recognized historic properties. These include properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as well as major properties determined eligible for National Register listing. Although these listings are not considered part of the official D.C. Inventory, the properties are protected under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Informational listings are italicized for ease of identification. For Further Information: Preparation of this inventory would not be possible without the assistance of numerous researchers and authors, whose work is gratefully acknowledged. More information can be found in official designation documents and the reference materials used in preparing this inventory. The bibliography provides a brief reference list, but is only a small sampling of the many sources of information on Washington history and architecture. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................................... I THE FEDERAL CITY (1790-1860) ......................................................................................................................... 1 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY ................................................................................................................................ 1 THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT .................................................................................................................................. 5 DISTRICT GOVERNMENT ....................................................................................................................................... 10 THE MILITARY ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 PUBLIC WORKS ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS ............................................................................................................................ 13 DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS ........................................................................................................................................... 13 EDUCATION, SCIENCE, AND CULTURE .................................................................................................................. 13 BANKING, BUSINESS AND COMMERCE .................................................................................................................. 14 RELIGIOUS LIFE ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 NEIGHBORHOODS .................................................................................................................................................. 15 SMALL HOUSES ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 LARGE HOUSES AND MANSIONS ........................................................................................................................... 17 AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE ........................................................................................................................... 19 GEORGETOWN (1751-1895) ................................................................................................................................ 21 PUBLIC WORKS ..................................................................................................................................................... 21 BUSINESS AND COMMERCE ................................................................................................................................... 22 INDUSTRY, WAREHOUSING AND SERVICES ........................................................................................................... 23 GOVERNMENT ....................................................................................................................................................... 24 PUBLIC SERVICES .................................................................................................................................................. 24 PUBLIC SCHOOLS................................................................................................................................................... 24 EDUCATION, SCIENCE, AND CULTURE .................................................................................................................. 24 FRATERNAL AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS ........................................................................................................... 25 RELIGIOUS LIFE ..................................................................................................................................................... 26 SMALL HOUSES ..................................................................................................................................................... 26 LARGE HOUSES AND MANSIONS ........................................................................................................................... 28 ESTATES ................................................................................................................................................................ 32 CEMETERIES AND PARKS ...................................................................................................................................... 33 AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE ........................................................................................................................... 33 WASHINGTON COUNTY (BEFORE