Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Houses With A Prospect
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 27, 2018
The early mansions of wealthy ship owners, merchants and land speculators in this part of Georgetown were built high above the Potomac River with fine views, or prospects, of the harbor filled with ships and the wilds of Virginia on the other side. Streets were narrow and paved with stones. The residences were often self-sufficient with livestock, orchards and kitchen gardens alongside formally designed landscapes.
The beautiful Georgian house behind you was finished in 1789 for the first secretary of the navy, Benjamin Stoddert, who called it Halcyon House. The original house was built to face the river, so the front door could not be seen from the street. The Palladian façade you see was added much later. Its handsome gardens were laid out by Pierre L'Enfant, who planned the city of Washington. After a century of neglect, the house was restored by John Dreyfuss, who in the 1970s embarked on a 17-year effort to bring the house back to its original glory.
Prospect Street is still a popular promenade, linking Georgetown University to the town's commercial streets — Wisconsin Avenue and M Street. On the south side of M at the foot of 34th is Forrest-Marbury House, where George Washington dined in 1791 with Georgetown landholders to secure land for the new District of Columbia. West of the house is a beautiful park that marks the site of the home of Francis Scott Key, author of The Star-Spangled Banner. The house was built in 1802 and demolished in 1949 for the construction of an elevated highway along the waterfront. It was this demolition and the public outcry that prompted Congress to pass the Old Georgetown Act, setting the boundaries of the Georgetown Historic District and protecting the buildings within its limits. The adjacent bridge—Key Bridge—was named in Key's honor.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1789.
Location. 38° 54.353′ N, 77° 4.078′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Marker is at the intersection of Prospect Street Northwest and 34th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west on Prospect Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 Prospect Street Northwest, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Halcyon House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Halcyon House
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 27, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 27, 2018
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 27, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.