Navy Yard in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

One of DC's Oldest Neighborhoods

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018

1. One of DC's Oldest Neighborhoods Marker

Inscription. In 1815 the Washington City Canal, linking the Anacostia River to the Potomac via downtown Washington, was completed. The canal attracted businesses where it met the Anacostia River. Among the first was the eight-story sugar refinery of merchant Thomas Law. Law's refinery later became a brewery. James Barry traded here as well. (His farm across the Anacostia eventually was sold for the fabled Barry's Farm settlement of formerly enslaved men and women.) A tobacco inspection warehouse operated nearby. And, in the early years before the canal became polluted and unreliable, well-to-do Washingtonians built large houses near its banks.

Soon the Navy Yard, with its steady employment, dominated the neighborhood. At first a center of ship building, the yard shifted to weapons production and became the Naval Gun Factory. By the 1840s the grand homes of the early merchants were giving way to modest worker housing.

While Washington, DC expanded and modernized, this area, known as the Navy Yard section, saw little change. Small businesses and row houses gave the look of an aging small town. In the 1940s the city began replacing

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the old houses with affordable housing: the Carrollsburg (1941) and Arthur Capper (1956) Dwellings, and Carroll Apartments for seniors (1964). After the Southeast-Southwest Freeway isolated the area physically in the late 1960s, few outsiders ventured here. Light industries and garages operated alongside a small entertainment district. As elsewhere, the arrival of Metrorail in 1991 signaled new era. With the new NAVSEA Headquarters, U.S. Department of Transportation building, Nationals Park, and revitalization of the Carroll Apartments leading the way, the new neighborhood took hold.

Erected by Canal Park, Capitol Riverfront, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, One City, District of Columbia Housing Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 38° 52.703′ N, 77° 0.197′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Navy Yard. It is at the intersection of K Street Southeast and 2nd Place Southeast,

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018

2. One of DC's Oldest Neighborhoods Marker

on the right when traveling east on K Street Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 M Street Southeast, Washington DC 20003, 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 North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Walk on the Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Water, Water Everywhere (about 600 feet away); 1925 (about 700 feet away); Taxiway Guidance Sign / Crossing Gate and Flashing Light Signal / Channel Marking Buoy (about 700 feet away); Ship's Propeller / Airplane Propeller / Truck Wheel (about 700 feet away); 1922 (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southeast Washington.

Other markers no longer nearby. Insignia on M (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018

3. One of DC's Oldest Neighborhoods Marker

another marker now near it); 909 Capitol Yards (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 100M (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Collective (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Homewood Suites Hotel (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 200 I (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); 1015 Half (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Capitol Quarter (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); One Hill South (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Canal Park (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.