The Georgetown Metropolitan

1000 block of 33rd St.

GM was browsing through the Wymer’s DC photographic atlas and found this interesting photo, above. Wymer’s is a collection of photos by John Wymer, who walked around the city in the late 1950’s taking snapshots of average life. They were superimposed on a map that enables you to browse them by location.

The photo above is at Dumbarton and 28th. This was part of the historic Herring Hill neighborhood, which was the heart of the historic African American community in Georgetown. And this photo reflects it. You see a group of four children, who appear to be African American, playing by the street corner. Across the street stand two adults, chatting. Continue reading →

Photo by chubacheo.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• The Steve Madden is closing.
• Yet another women’s clothing store is open on M: Cynthia Rowley at 3312 M St.

1400 block of Wisconsin Ave.

GM lives on 33rd St. But it was once called Market St. Before that it was called West Lane (and Duck Lane for the part below M St.)

Around the corner from GM is Volta Pl. But that was originally called 4th St. Then it was called Q St. Not until the early 20th century did it get it’s current name. Up the block is Q St., which was originally 5th St. Then R St. It took over the Q name after Volta took its name.

Nearby is Volta Park. It was originally the Presbyterian church’s burial grounds. (There are probably still bodies buried all over the place around here). Eventually it took the name Georgetown Playground before it became Volta Park.

Q St. east of Wisconsin was first Back St. before it was Stoddert St. before it was Q St. Wisconsin Ave., in turn, was called High St. Then for a little while it was called 32nd St. And 32nd St. was called Valley Rd., but above R St. (which was called Road St.) it was called Observatory Place.

Georgetown itself was called Georgetown when it was an independent city. And then for a couple decades it was called West Washington before returning to its old name. Georgetown University always had the Georgetown name, but it used to call itself Georgetown College. George Washington University, however, used to be called Columbian College. (Columbia University in New York was originally called King’s College).

The point is this: names change. Sometimes old names simply get lost to history. Other times the old names are replaced to make a fresh start. That’s the reason most Georgetown street names got changed: to integrate them into Washington City’s street names after the two cities were merged. Continue reading →

Photo by Daniel Lobo.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Washington Harbour has a new owner.
• In defense of historic preservation (with a dash of recognition that it causes problems too).

Guy Mason Playground

GM received a brief comment the other day on an article from almost seven years ago. He wants to highlight it because it’s the type of comment that GM loves getting. In fact the whole comment thread to that old post is worth reading.

Specifically the comment was from a reader affirming that in deed there was a Mr. Henry’s in Georgetown and it had a hip crowd:

Mr. Henry’s was absolutely 1225 Wisc. I had many meals and drinks there. I once met John Waters and Divine there. I ran an escort service called the Stables and many of my “models” would meet there clients there. It was a safe spot to meet.

The rest of the thread is other people reminiscing on the spot. If GM can provide anything, he hopes he provides an opportunity for people to remember old times in a Georgetown from days gone by. And when they share those stories, all the better.

Here’s a clip of Roberta Flack, who famously made her name at Mr. Henry’s (and apparently, got her start at the Georgetown location before moving to the Capitol Hill location):

Photo by Matthew Benson.

Good morning Georgetown, here’s the latest:

• Morton’s has closed. Here’s some more info on the French restaurant that will replace it.
• Martin’s may not get the Obama-love, but Eater still calls it a classic worth going to. (Same for Clyde’s and 1789).

3200 block of P St.