Columbia Heights sits at the center of one of Washington’s most dramatic stories of rise, fall, and revival. Once a thriving streetcar neighborhood, it was devastated by the riots that followed Dr. King’s assassination in 1968 and spent decades in decline before a remarkable turnaround in the early 2000s. These posts trace the full arc of Columbia Heights history.
In 1925, Grace Coolidge took the drive up 14th St. to attend a benefit for the Girl Scouts at the Tivoli Theater. Read about Mrs. Coolidge’s attendance at the special screening of J. M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” and see the original movie poster.
Before Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, we had the Whiting brothers playing roller hockey in Columbia Heights. Learn about the thrilling roller hockey matches of 1926 and the 24-hour roller skating race of 1922!
Take a look at the proposed Executive Mansion to be built on Meridian Hill, a plan championed by Mary Foote Henderson. See the extravagant design, plus learn more about Mrs. Henderson and other buildings that were never built in Washington.
Discover the strange history of Coke Dandruff Cure in Washington, D.C. at the turn of the century. Find out more about Henry Evans, a druggist on F St NW, and how he used cocaine as an ingredient in his dandruff cure. Explore the Carnegie Institution and its founding on January 28th, 1902.
A thrilling account of horses racing through crowded streets in response to fire alarms. Read about the dangerous conditions that prompted new regulations.
Discover the 1902 advertisement for plots in Columbia Heights with a great real estate boom and $500,000 investment in houses. Learn about the extended streetcar lines, healthy living environment, and payment options for lots. Explore the impact of Fulton R. Gordon, a major real estate player in D.C.
Explore the history of 1036 Park Rd. NW in Washington D.C. through a historical sleuthing mission. Uncover the stories from the 1912 building permit, the marriage of Benjamin and Olga, Joseph Bryant’s Commerce Department career, and City Wide Learning Centers.
