Judiciary Square in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Building Out the Square
Civil War to Civil Rights
— Downtown Heritage Trail —
The Great Depression (1929-1941) meant economic catastrophe for millions of Americans, but in Washington it meant a building boom as the Federal Government staffed up to the end the economic crisis. In 1931 alone Congress approved new government buildings and schools, street paving, bridges, and sewers Thousands found badly needed work.
By this time, the Old City Hall/Courthouse had lost most of its DC government functions. The city's commissioners, police and fire chiefs, and engineers had moved to the 1908 District Building (now the John A. Wilson Building) on Pennsylvania Avenue. But as the city needed more offices, planners looked again at Judiciary Square.
By 1943, the Judiciary Square courthouses and offices you can see from here were complete. Municipal architect Nathan C. Wyeth designed the 1941 Art Deco style Municipal Center across Indiana Avenue for the police and fire departments' headquarters and other agencies.
For Judiciary Square, Wyeth designed three courthouses to harmonize with the Old City Hall; the Juvenile Court at 409 E. Street, and the Police and Municipal Courts framing today's National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
One Judiciary Square, across Fourth Street, became DC's city hall between 1992 and 2001, while the District Building on Pennsylvania Avenue underwent renovation. In 2007, as part of Mayor Adrian Fenty's "Greening the District" program, the building received a green roof.
The Francis Perkins U.S. Department of Labor building, ahead of you along D Street, honors President Franklin D. Roosevelt's secretary of labor, the first woman Cabinet member and the principal architect of the Social Security Acct and other worker protections.
Erected 2012 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number e.5.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Heroes. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, and the Downtown Heritage Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1931.
Location. 38° 53.701′ N, 77° 0.977′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Judiciary Square. Marker is at the intersection of 4th Street Northwest and Indiana Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling south on 4th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 4th Street Northwest, Washington DC 20442, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Discover DC / Judiciary Square (a few steps from this marker); Roger Brooke Taney (within shouting distance of this marker); Old City Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sitting in Judgment (about 400 feet away); Old City Hall and District of Columbia Court House (about 400 feet away); A Courthouse Reborn (about 600 feet away); National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (about 700 feet away); Washington City Spring (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Additional keywords. Sgt. Henry J. Daly Building
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 760 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on December 14, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on April 29, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on December 14, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on April 29, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 13, 14. submitted on December 14, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.