U Street Corridor in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Strivers' Section
Dupont Circle
— Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 20, 2017
Police Call Boxes such as this one (originally painted blue) were installed in the District after the Civil War. Officers on foot patrol used this secure telegraph system to contact the station, accessing the box with a now highly collectible "gold key." This system was used until the late 1970s when it was abandoned in favor of more modern communication methods.
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You are in the "Strivers' Section" of Washington, DC. The name derives from the area's longstanding association with leading individuals and institutions in the African American community. Beginning in the 1870s, this area has been associate with many prominent African American leaders in business, education, politics, and government. Leading the list is Frederick Douglass, world-renowned abolitionist, orator, and writer. Douglass owned the Second Empire style row of houses located at 2000-2008 17th St., (above) built in 1875-76. James E. Storum, an educator and entrepreneur who founded the Capital Savings Bank, the city's first African American-owned bank, lived at 2004 17th St. Calvin Brent, a noted architect lived on V St. James C. Dacy, editor, and DC Recorder of Deeds, lived in the area between 1904 and 1910.
Architecturally, Strivers' is characterized by late-19th and early-20th-century row houses. The Edwardian 1700 blocks of T and U Sts. remain architectural focal points in the district.
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Artist, Steven Strichter
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Urban planner Stichter's relief prints (wood- and linoleum-block, letterpress) and improvisational quilts often depict Washington residential architecture and scenes.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.
Location. 38° 55.027′ N, 77° 2.296′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in U Street Corridor. Marker is at the intersection of U Street Northwest and 17th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on U Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Calvin T.S. Brent Residence (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Prestige Address (about 500 feet away); Todd Duncan Residence (about 700 feet away); Mrs. Henderson's Legacy (approx. 0.2 miles away);
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 5, 2019
More about this marker. This historic district represents an important and architecturally rich period in the development of the Nation's capital. It was the home of the city's early black middle class. Social, political, and religious leaders made their homes in the area of what is now the Strivers' Section.
Also see . . .
1. Strivers’ Section Historic District. DC Historic Sites website entry (Submitted on July 9, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Strivers' Section, African American Heritage Trail. Cultural Tourism DC website entry (Submitted on October 21, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 5, 2019
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 13, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 18, 2023
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 579 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on February 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on October 21, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on January 14, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 5. submitted on November 18, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.