Mount Vernon Square in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
To Market, To Market
Midcity at the Crossroads
— Shaw Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 14, 2018
After this neighborhood's original Northern Liberty Market on Mount Vernon Square was razed in 1872, a new Northern Liberty Market was built along Fifth between K and L streets. When owners decided that fresh farm products weren't drawing enough customers, they added a massive second-floor entertainment space. This was Convention Hall (1893), the city's first convention center, seating 6,000. While farmers did business on the first floor, the second floor hosted balls, banquets even bowling tournaments. Soon it was called Constitution Hall Market.
When the Center Market downtown on Pennsylvania Avenue was razed in 1931 to build the National Archives, many vendors moved here. Convention Hall Market became New Center Market. Then in 1946 the building burned in a spectacular fire, visible for miles. Partially rebuilt with a low, flat roof, it continued to sell foodstuffs despite the arrival of modern supermarkets. But by 1966 the vendors were gone, and the building became the National Historical Wax Museum. When the museum closed, rock 'n' rollers flocked to "The Wax" for concerts. The city's second Convention Center opened in 1983 at Ninth and H streets, NW, and two years later the Wax Museum was demolished.
As you walk to sign 17, notice the handsome rowhouses on your right. These are part of a full square of 53 houses designed and built in 1890 by the prolific T. Franklin Schneider. Developing an entire square, though common in most city neighborhoods, was unusual in Shaw, where most houses were built individually.
Erected 2006 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 16.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Shaw Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 38° 54.253′ N, 77° 1.127′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Mount Vernon Square. Marker is at the intersection of L Street Northwest and 5th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on L Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 L Street Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Sweet Daddy" Grace (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); History in a House (about 700 feet away); Prather's Alley: A Story of Continuity (about 800 feet away); On the Path (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Place to Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roots of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral / Remembering "the Village"
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 14, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 14, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 14, 2018
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 14, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.