NoMa/Sursum Corda in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gateway to The Nation's Capital
Hub, Home, Heart
— Greater H Street NE Heritage Trail —
With its view of the Capitol and Senate office buildings, and with the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court just a short stroll away, Union Station truly is the gateway to the heart of the nation's government. The station is also where official Washington mixes with the local city. Before air travel became common in the 1950s, Union Station attracted enormous crowds to salute arriving presidents, watch protesters, or shriek at the Beatles disembarking for their first live American concert.
Until the early 1950s, most of downtown Washington's public accommodations were segregated. Union Station was one of the exceptions. In its dining room, African American and white patrons could sit down and eat side by side.
Traffic at Union Station peaked during World War II (1941-1945). Throngs of military men and women passed through en route to training camps and battlefronts. Civilians, especially young women, arrived to staff the enormous war effort. But as air travel expanded, Union Station's importance declined. When the station underwent major renovations in the 1980s, its grand concourse was reconfigured to hold inviting shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
The 1990s brought the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, on this block, named for the Howard University-trained lawyer whose strategies helped end this country's legal segregation. Marshall later became the first African American Supreme Court Justice.
Erected 2012 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Railroads & Streetcars • Sports • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Greater H Street Heritage Trail, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the The Beatles series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 38° 53.813′ N, 77° 0.291′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in NoMa/Sursum Corda. Marker is on Columbus Circle Northeast south of F Street Northeast, on the left when traveling south. Located across the street from the east side of Union Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Columbus Circle Northeast, Washington DC 20002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Swampoodle (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Freedom Bell (about 500 feet away); Christopher Columbus (about 500 feet away); Delaware Avenue & Columbus Circle, NE (about 700 feet away); Roll Out the Barrel (about 800 feet away); “The President’s Trees” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Famine-Genocide in Ukraine (approx. 0.2 miles away); Community Caretakers (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northeast Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 707 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on February 11, 2014, by A. Taylor of Laurel, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2022, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 3. submitted on September 30, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on October 3, 2022, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 5, 6. submitted on September 18, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.