Cleveland Park is one of Northwest DC’s most architecturally distinctive neighborhoods, full of Victorian cottages, Queen Anne houses, and early 20th century apartment buildings. The neighborhood got its name from President Grover Cleveland, who summered here in the 1880s when the area was still well outside the city. These posts dig into the history behind Cleveland Park’s streets and buildings.
In late May 1957, Marilyn Monroe slept on a sofa bed in a Forest Hills den while her husband Arthur Miller stood trial in Federal Court for contempt of Congress. She bicycled the neighborhood in sunglasses, sat by a backyard pool, and held one news conference on the front lawn at 3625 Appleton Street NW. For seven days, the biggest movie star in the world was a houseguest in Northwest DC.
AI anxiety isn’t new. In 1949, an MIT professor turned down a corporate contract because he feared machines would replace human judgment. A year later, Washington had its own “electronic brain” on Connecticut Avenue. We’ve been having this argument for 75 years.
Learn the fascinating story of how Reno Road in North Cleveland Park almost became Washington Avenue in honor of the west coast state. Find out why the proposal was opposed by Senator Howard Cannon of Nevada.
From beauty shop to shoe shop to 2Amys, explore the history of 3715 & 3713 Macomb St. NW in Washington DC. Learn about the expert barber and shoe repairman that used to occupy the space before it changed hands!
At the time, Grover Cleveland lived north of the city in a lovely old estate called Oak Hill. Eventually, the neighborhood that grew up around his home was named for him: “Cleveland Park”.
In the late 1800s, Cleveland Park was a summer retreat for wealthy Washingtonians, elevated and breezy, far from downtown’s heat.
Take a look back at Connecticut Avenue Highlands (now Cleveland Park) in 1910 with this old advertisement. Check out more of our awesome old ads here!
Take a look back at the 1925 ad for a beautiful home in Washington, DC. See how much it’s worth today and learn more about the current residents
Phoebe Apperson Hearst grew up poor in rural Missouri, married a mining magnate, and became one of the wealthiest women in America. She spent her fortune on public education for Washington children. Here is her story, and why a school in Cleveland Park bears her name.
