The Georgetown Metropolitan

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The Circulator bus will be free to ride from now on.
• You’ll now be able to find out whether it’s safe to swim in the Potomac in near real time.

3200 block of P St.

Today GM is inaugurating a new series: Ghosts of Markets Past. In it, he will identify homes throughout Georgetown that once held a commercial business (not always a market though). At one time, Georgetown was dotted with such establishments. But after restrictive zoning was put in place in the 1950s, and overall purchasing habits shifted towards larger regional supermarkets, these buildings were gradually converted to housing.

Of course some still remain, and they represent some of the most treasured assets of the neighborhood. But this series is about the ones that didn’t stay open.

And today GM starts with 2701 Dumbarton St. Records indicate that this building was constructed in 1869 and the original owner was Richard A. King.

The property is mentioned in Black Georgetown Remembered as hosting a “mom and pop” grocery. When it was listed for sale in 2014, it was described as one of the area’s first grocery stores. A mention in the Washington Evening Star indicates that as early as 1918, it hosted a market. In this case a market owned by L.H. Ferguson:

In 1927, the market was listed for rent, with listing reflecting the fact the property was at the epicenter of Georgetown’s historic African American community:

In 1933, it hosted a taxicab office:

By the 1950s, however, mentions of any business at this address stop. It would appear that is when the property shifted to solely residential. Continue reading →

Photo by Mike Maguire.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Would you be interested in a better pedestrian/bicycle link between Georgetown and the Palisades? Take this survey.
• Another canal bridge is going to be closed for a long rehab. This time it’s 31st St.

1500 block of Wisconsin Ave.

This week for Birds of Georgetown, GM will discuss the birds you’ll find plying the waterways of Georgetown. Of course by “waterways” that essentially means just the Potomac river and the C & O Canal. Here’s what you’ll find there:

Canada Goose:

The Canada goose, the scourge of youth soccer players hoping not to slide through poop, is prevalent in the DC area. Although naturally a migratory bird, the Canada goose can be found in the DC area year round.

They are easily recognizable by their white chinstrap set against an otherwise black neck and head. As large waterfowl go, they are not particularly aggressive towards humans (unlike swans, for instance). This is probably because they’ve come to expect little pieces of bread from us.

Mallard:

Probably the most common waterfowl you’ll find along the Potomac, this iconic duck is very likely the image most people think of when they think “duck”.

They also are famously dimorphic, meaning the males and females look very different. The male mallards have glossy green heads with a white ring around their necks. The female mallards are various shades of brown, with no flashy head gear.

Mallards often plant their eggs up in the residential parts of Georgetown. When the ducklings hatch, they have to make their way down at least to the canal. Humans often help. Continue reading →

Photo by Mike Maguire.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Dent Place Market now aiming for an April opening.
• Effort launched to recall Jack Evans (which would have little effect, since by the time the recall vote would be held, the normal election, which Evans could run in either way, won’t be too much behind.)

1500 block of 33rd St.

Please indulge GM a bit today. His daughter wrote a little song a while back. GM helped her pull it together and produced it into this summer’s hottest new club hit. Enjoy.

Photo by Chesapeake Bay Program.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• At least one current GU student appears to have willingly participate in the alleged admissions fraud.
• Beautiful hand-drawn aerial view of Georgetown circa 1990.