Anacostia is a historic neighborhood in
Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C. , formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790...
Its historic downtown is located at the intersection of Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. It is the most famous neighborhood in the Southeast quadrant of Washington, located east of the
Anacostia RiverThe Anacostia River flows for about 8.4 mi from Prince George's County in Maryland, USA and through Washington, D.C. where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Arsenal Point. The name "Anacostia" derives from the area's early history as Nacotchtank, a settlement...
, which the area is named after. Like the other quadrants of Washington, D.C., southeast encompasses a large number of named neighborhoods, of which Anacostia is the most well known. It includes part or all of an
Anacostia Historic District that was listed on the
National Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1978. Often the name
AnacostiaAnacostia is a historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Its historic downtown is located at the intersection of Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. It is the most famous neighborhood in the Southeast quadrant of Washington, located east of the Anacostia River, which the area is...
is used to refer to the entire portion of the city that is southeast of the Anacostia River, and not just the small core area shown on red on this map.
History
The name "Anacostia" comes from the name of a Nacochtank
Native AmericansNative Americans in the United States is the phrase that describes indigenous peoples from North America now encompassed by the continental United States, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii. They comprise a large number of distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of...
settlement along the
Anacostia RiverThe Anacostia River flows for about 8.4 mi from Prince George's County in Maryland, USA and through Washington, D.C. where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Arsenal Point. The name "Anacostia" derives from the area's early history as Nacotchtank, a settlement...
. Captain
John SmithCaptain John Smith Admiral of New England was an English soldier, explorer, and author. He is remembered for his role in establishing the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown, Virginia, and his brief association with the Virginia Indian girl Pocahontas during an...
explored the area in 1608, and met Anacostans while traveling up the "Eastern Branch" or Anacostia River.
The core of what is now the Anacostia historic district was incorporated in 1854 as
Uniontown and was one of the first suburbs in the District of Columbia. It was designed to be financially available to Washington's working class, many of whom were employed across the river at the
Navy YardThe Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy. The Yard currently serves as a ceremonial and administrative center for the U.S...
; its (then) location outside of and isolated from the city made its real estate inexpensive. The initial subdivision of 1854 carried
restrictive covenantA real covenant is a legal obligation imposed in a deed by the seller upon the buyer of real estate to do or not to do something. Such restrictions frequently "run with the land" and are enforceable on subsequent buyers of the property...
s prohibiting the sale, rental or lease of property to anyone of African or Irish descent. Abolitionist
Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, (born circa 1818 February 20, 1895) was an American abolitionist, women's suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer...
, often called "the sage of Anacostia," bought Cedar Hill, the estate belonging to the developer of Uniontown, in 1877 and lived there until he died in 1895. The home is still maintained as a historical site in Anacostia.
During the
Civil WarThe American Civil War , also known as the War Between the States and several other names, was a civil war in the United States of America. Eleven Southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America...
, Anacostia was protected by a series of forts upon the hills southwest of the city. Following the conclusion of the war, the forts were dismantled and the land returned to its original owners.
Anacostia, always part of the District of Columbia, became a part of the city of Washington when the city and District became conterminous in 1878.
Anacostia's population remained predominantly White up until the 1950s, with Whites comprising 87% of the population. During the 1950s, the
Anacostia Freeway (I-295)Interstate 295 in the U.S. state of Maryland and in Washington, D.C. is a spur route connecting I-95/I-495 and Maryland Route 210 on the Potomac River to Interstate 695 in downtown Washington.-Route description:Although I-295 technically begins at the Capital Beltway , a pair of mainline...
was constructed. The highway imposed a barrier between the Anacostia neighborhood and the
Anacostia RiverThe Anacostia River flows for about 8.4 mi from Prince George's County in Maryland, USA and through Washington, D.C. where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Arsenal Point. The name "Anacostia" derives from the area's early history as Nacotchtank, a settlement...
waterfront. Numerous
public housingPublic housing is a form of housing tenure in which the property is owned by a government authority, which may be central or local. Social housing is an umbrella term referring to rental housing which may be owned and managed by the state, by not-for-profit organizations, or by a combination of...
apartment complexes were also built in the neighborhood. With the flight of much of the middle class out of the neighborhood during the 1950s with the opportunity to move to newer housing in postwar suburbs, Anacostia's demographics changed dramatically as the neighborhood became predominantly African American. Later events with the rise of drugs and poverty adversely affected the area.
Shopping, dining, and entertainment facilities throughout greater Anacostia are limited, as development slowed with a decrease in income in the area. Residents often must travel to either the suburbs or downtown Washington for these services. Anacostia, however, does have a year-round ice skating rink at Fort Dupont Park; the city police boys' club; and a "tennis and learning center", combining sports with academic tutoring in Congress Heights.
In 2005
Trinity Washington UniversityTrinity Washington University, founded in 1897 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, is a Roman Catholic university located in Washington, D.C. across from Catholic University of America and the Dominican House of Studies...
opened its Town Hall Education Arts & Recreation Campus (THEARC), which includes a
Covenant HouseCovenant House is the largest privately-funded childcare agency in the United States providing shelter and service to homeless and runaway youth.-Mission and Principles:MISSION...
. Free summer evening jazz concerts are also given weekly in Fort Dupont Park. The annual Martin Luther King Birthday Parade is a notable annual event along the Avenue bearing Dr. King's name. Starting in 2006 the annual parade date was changed from January to April. (Also see the separate article on
Congress HeightsCongress Heights is a largely residential neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C. Although it is in the poorest section of what is generally regarded as inner-city Washington—the area east of the Anacostia River -- it is very likely the most economically diverse, and most suburban, neighborhood...
). In January 2007 a new large supermarket opened to serve the neighborhood.
Present day
As of the 2000 Census, Anacostia's population is 92% African-American, 5% Non-Hispanic White, and 3% other. High crime rates, associated with drug trade, reached a peak in the 1990s. In 2005, 62 of Washington, D.C.'s 195
homicideHomicide refers to the act of a human killing a human being. A common form of homicide, for example, would be murder. It can also describe a person who has committed such an act, though this use is rare in modern English...
s occurred in the 7th District of the
Metropolitan Police DepartmentThe Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, also known as the DC Police, DCPD, MPD, DC Metro, and MPDC is the municipal police force for Washington, D.C...
, which also includes the neighborhoods of Barry Farm,
Naylor GardensNaylor Gardens is a small neighborhood located in southeast Washington, D.C. It is bounded by Suitland Road to the north, Southern Avenue to the south, Naylor Road to the west, and Branch Avenue to the east. The neighborhood is located in the area south and east of the Anacostia River.Naylor...
, and
Washington HighlandsWashington Highlands is a large residential neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C., bounded on three sides by Oxon Run Park and on the fourth side by Southern Avenue. It is the largest residential neighborhood in Ward 8, the poorest and least developed section of Washington...
. This figure is down from the 7th District's peak of 133 homicides in 1993.
The Anacostia National Historic District is listed on the
National Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The historic district retains much of its mid-to-late 19th-century low-scale, working-class character, as is evident in its architecture.
In 1959, an Anacostia landmark, the "World's Largest Chair", was installed at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and V Street, SE. The chair was built by
Bassett FurnitureBassett Furniture is a furniture manufacturer headquartered in Bassett, Virginia, United States.It was founded in 1902 by John David Bassett and C.C. Bassett. Bassett Furniture is one of the oldest furniture manufacturers in Virginia and has been producing hand crafted furniture for over 100 years....
for Curtis Brothers Furniture Store, formerly located at this site. In the summer of 2005, the
Big Chair – as it is known – was removed for repairs, then returned in April 2006.
Important facilities in the Anacostia area include
Bolling Air Force BaseBolling Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Southwest Washington, D.C., between the Potomac River and Interstate 295 and is conjoined with Naval Support Facility Anacostia. The base was named in honor of Colonel Raynal C...
, Anacostia Naval Air Station, Saint Elizabeth's psychiatric hospital (more than 100 years old), and Greater Southeast Community Hospital. The
Washington Navy YardThe Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy. The Yard currently serves as a ceremonial and administrative center for the U.S...
and the
Washington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly-built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK...
professional baseball stadium are both located on the North side of the
Anacostia RiverThe Anacostia River flows for about 8.4 mi from Prince George's County in Maryland, USA and through Washington, D.C. where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Arsenal Point. The name "Anacostia" derives from the area's early history as Nacotchtank, a settlement...
in southeast Washington.
Central Anacostia is served by Anacostia Senior High School, a general academic high school part of the District of Columbia public school system. Ballou High School is in southern Anacostia. The area has many middle and elementary schools.
Culture
- The Anacostia Museum
The Anacostia Community Museum is a Smithsonian Institution museum in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., United States, opened in 1967...
, a branch of the Smithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its shops and its magazines...
, was established in 1967 by S. Dillon RipleySidney Dillon Ripley was a noted American ornithologist and leader in wildlife conservation. He served as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution from 1964 to 1984.-Biography:...
, then-Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
- The Honfleur Gallery
The Honfleur Gallery located on Good Hope Road in the historic Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., is a gallery that was established in January 2007 by the Action to Rehabilitate Community Housing group. The art gallery opened amid concerns of whether an art gallery was what the...
, located near the corner of Martin Luther King Ave and Good Hope Road is a gallery showcasing nationally-known works alongside that of local artists. It also hosts a bi-monthly poetry series called Intersections, sponsored by the American Poetry Museum.
- The home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, (born circa 1818 February 20, 1895) was an American abolitionist, women's suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer...
, known as the "Lion of Anacostia", sits atop a hill overlooking the Anacostia neighborhood on W Street SE
Transportation
The neighborhood, served by the
Anacostia Metro stationAnacostia is a Washington Metro station in Washington, DC on the Green Line.The station is located in the Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast Washington, with entrances at Shannon Place and Howard Road, near Martin Luther King, Jr...
, is a ten minute ride on
Washington Metro'sMetrorail, commonly called Metro, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C. and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name...
Green LineThe Green Line of the Washington Metro consists of 21 rapid transit stations from Branch Avenue to Greenbelt. It starts in Prince George's County, Maryland, runs through all four quadrants of the District of Columbia, and exits back out into Prince George's County...
from downtown Washington; other metro stations on the Green and Orange lines serve other parts of Greater Anacostia.
Anacostia Waterfront Initiative
Founded in 2000, the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative plans to revitalize a piece of the
Anacostia RiverThe Anacostia River flows for about 8.4 mi from Prince George's County in Maryland, USA and through Washington, D.C. where it joins with the Washington Channel to empty into the Potomac River at Arsenal Point. The name "Anacostia" derives from the area's early history as Nacotchtank, a settlement...
waterfront to promote community and appreciation of one of the District of Columbia's greatest natural resources.
Plans include numerous parks restored of their natural wetlands and forests, canoe tie-ups, a playground, a four-acre 9/11 Memorial Grove, and an Environmental Education Center. The Center will engage visitors in learning about the history and use of the Anacostia River through a , two story complex topped by a green roof/nursery center with classrooms, labs and a multipurpose area beneath.
http://www.anacostiawaterfront.net/PROJECTS/KINGMANISLAND/tabid/83/Default.aspx Studios ArchitectureStudios Architecture is an international architecture and interior design firm founded in 1985. It has a company-wide staff of 200 and offices in Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Paris.- Awards :...
was chosen to be the Architect of the project, while the administrating agency will be the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation.
http://dc.gov/mayor/news/release.asp?cp=1&id=696
See also
- Congress Heights
Congress Heights is a largely residential neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C. Although it is in the poorest section of what is generally regarded as inner-city Washington—the area east of the Anacostia River -- it is very likely the most economically diverse, and most suburban, neighborhood...
- Fort Greble
Fort Greble was an American Civil War-era Union fortification constructed as part of the defenses of Washington, D.C. during that war. It protected the junction of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, and from its position on a bluff in the Congress Heights, precluded any bombardment of the Washington...
- Fort Stanton
Fort Stanton was a Civil War-era fortification constructed in the hills above Anacostia in the District of Columbia and was intended to prevent Confederate artillery from threatening the Washington Navy Yard. It also guarded the approach to the bridge that connected Anacostia with Washington...
- Bellevue
Bellevue is a residential neighborhood located in Southwest Washington, D.C, east of Bolling Air Force Base. It is bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SW to the west and northwest, Joliet Street SW to the south, and First Street and South Capitol Street on the east. There are many garden...
- Washington Highlands
- Hillcrest
Hillcrest is a neighborhood in the southeast quadrant of Washington, D.C., United States. Hillcrest is located in Ward 7, east of the Anacostia River. Hillcrest is a rather affluent and well-kept neighborhood. Former mayor Marion Barry is a former resident. Current residents include D.C. Council...
External links