Woodley Park in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
From Woodley to Woodley Park
The first development called “Woodley” named after the Woodley estate (now home to the Maret School), was owned by Mrs. A. E. Kervand and was first recorded as a subdivision in 1875. Winding Woodley Lane was its main street. By 1878 lots in Woodley Park were advertised as “2 to 10 acre lots, 20 minute walk from P Street Circle; the finest Country seats ever offered for sale about the city.” But few people were enticed to move to this distant suburb.
Connecticut Avenue was extended in 1890 because of the private efforts of Senator Francis G. Newlands, who built the road to provide access to his new development of Chevy Chase. Senator Newlands, who owned the Woodley estate at the time, sought the advice of nationally known landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted regarding development of the area. Olmstead advised that Connecticut Avenue “be regarded as the main channel of a great river, with other streets and avenues as tributaries” — which it later became.
In Woodley Park, Connecticut Avenue bisected the older subdivision, becoming its most dominant thoroughfare and entirely overriding the importance of winding Woodley Lane in the picturesque design of the suburb. After the “Million Dollar Bridge” was completed in 1907 over the deep ravines of Rock Creek Park, development in the area began in earnest.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 55.72′ N, 77° 3.444′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in Woodley Park. Marker was at the intersection of Cathedral Avenue Northwest and 29th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on Cathedral Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2818 Cathedral Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Long & Winding Woodley Road (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mihran Mesrobian (about 500 feet away); Redwood (about 700 feet away); Woodley Estate (approx. 0.2 miles away); Woodley Road Neighbors (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Long and Winding Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); Anup Joshi (approx. 0.2 miles away); Conservation Geography (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 474 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on January 7, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.