Adams Morgan in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Serving the Neighborhood
Roads to Diversity
— Adams Morgan Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 13, 2018
Furs by Gartenhaus and truffles by Avignon Freres. Hand-crafted ice cream from Budd's. Beginning in the 1910s, such neighborhood favorites occupied the commercial buildings to your right developed by Sanner and Barr. These fashionable shops catered to the 18th and Columbia neighborhood and drew Washingtonians from all over. Even Senator Harry S. Truman and General Dwight D. Eisenhower enjoyed French pastries in Agivnon Freres's first garden tea room, 2429 18th Street. In 1940, when Isidore Gartenhaus opened a fur shop at 1789 Columbia Road, this area was still "a little Park Avenue," recalled his son Stanley. The thriving business eventually moved to the former Riggs Bank at 1801 Adams Mill Road.
After World War II (1941-1945), businesses began changing as people of means moved to more suburban locations. Residential buildings had aged, leading to lower rents that attracted a diverse population seeking affordable housing. Yet Furs by Gartenhaus remained until after the riots that followed the 1968 assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Then the furrier moved to Bethesda, Maryland. Avignon Freres remained in the Orcino family until 1986. By the mid-1970s, new Latino enterprises catered to immigrants, while a few hip shops drew cosmopolitan shoppers.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, to your left, opened in 1912, 30 years after church founder Mary Baker Eddy first lectured in Washington. The church donated the land for Unity Park to the community. It also served as an aid station for the victims of the tragic Knickerbocker Theater roof collapse in 1922. More recently its youth camps serve the neighborhood.
Erected 2005 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Adams Morgan Heritage Trail, the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 38° 55.401′ N, 77° 2.509′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Adams Morgan. Marker is on Columbia Road Northwest north of Euclid Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1773 Columbia Road Northwest, Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A People Without Murals Is A Demuralized People (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tragedy at 18th and Columbia (about 300 feet away); "Suburban" Development
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 13, 2018
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 29, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 105 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 13, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on September 1, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.