Barry Farm in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Barry Farm Dwellings
An East-of-the-River View
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Just beyond this sign is the edge of Barry Farm Dwellings, built during World War II for African American families. The war had caused acute housing shortages, so people divided large homes into rooming houses, took in boarders, or crammed into apartments. In addition, the government built racially segregated dormitories and housing projects. This section of the old Hillsdale neighborhood was razed for Barry Farm Dwellings, one of ten projects built east of the river to house African American families. Residents had to show they had jobs, marriage licenses, and the ability to pay rent.
Hannah Hawkins was one of Barry Farm's first residents, arriving as a child in 1942. "It was a wonderful place," she remembered, though one with many rules: no laundry on the lines on Sundays and no playing on the grass.
Residents shopped in Almore Dale's market across Sumner Road (since razed). In turn the Dales and their neighbors enjoyed the activities of the Barry Farm Recreation Center.
The rec center brought residents together for movies, team sports, arts and crafts, and concerts. Dances and homework kept young people busy and out of trouble. Adults came for social and political activities. Junkyard Band, known for its hit single "Sardines," got its start at the center before making its name on the
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Eureka Park, DC's first black-owned amusement park, occupied part of the Barry Farm site from 1895 to 1918. The park offered picnic areas, a merry-go-round, dancing, and live music. Both Eureka and its next-door rival Green Willow Park hosted conventions featuring nationally prominent African American speakers.
Erected 2013 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Anacostia Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.
Location. 38° 51.58′ N, 76° 59.707′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Barry Farm. It is on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Southeast north of Sumner Road Southeast, on the right when traveling south. On the grounds of Birney School behind a fence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2501 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue Southeast, Washington DC 20020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Campbell African Methodist Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Roads That Divide (within shouting distance of this marker); Hillsdale
Another marker is no longer nearby. Barry Farm - Hillsdale (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, February 22, 2025
4. Barry Farm Dwellings Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 656 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on February 24, 2025, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
