Pleasant Plains in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Cleaning Up Cowtown
Lift Every Voice
— Georgia Ave./Pleasant Plains Heritage Trail —
The area west of this spot once was an Irish and German immigrant neighborhood known as “Cowtown.” That's because, before 1871, cows, pigs, and sheep roamed freely here, while those kept in Washington City, south of Boundary Street (today's Florida Avenue), had to be penned. A stream bordering Sheridan Avenue carried away the reeking refuse from Cowtown's slaughter houses.
While the livestock and slaughterhouses eventually left, the low-income multi-ethnic neighborhood's poor reputation remained. Odessa Marie Madre DC's own “Al Capone,” grew up here and later ran a Cowtown “jill joint” selling bootleg liquor. By the 1940s juvenile gangs ,known as the “Bonecrushers” and “Fifth Street Tigers” committed not-so-petty crimes. Then local police officer Oliver Cowan created the Junior Police and Citizen Corps, so youth could “solve its own problems.” “Kids caught breaking street lights were named Inspectors of Streets and Lights,” reported the Washington Post. Unlike the segregated Boys' Clubs and Boy Scouts, the Corps encouraged, interracial friendships and included girls. Juvenile arrests dropped dramatically.
From the 1880s to the 1950s, Garfield Hospital stood just west of here. Garfield Terrace, DC's first public housing designed for e1derly residents replaced the hospital in 1965, bringing innovative wheelchair-accessible foot paths and community kitchens.
Corby Brothers Bakery opened across the street from here in 1911. Brothers Charles and William Corby grew very rich after inventing machines and processes that revolutionized baking and led to mass distribution of bread. 'Eventually Continental Baking bought out the Corbys and the factory turned to making Wonder Bread. Howard University then bought and adapted the old plant for offices and shops.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Avenue / Pleasant Plains Heritage Trail, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 38° 55.264′ N, 77° 1.332′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Pleasant Plains. Marker is at the intersection of Georgia Avenue Northwest (U.S. 29) and Barry Place Northwest, on the right when traveling south on Georgia Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2400 Georgia Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Will Marion Cook Family Residence Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tau Beta Pi
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 29, 2017
Additional keywords. HBCUs
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,202 times since then and 182 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 15, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on November 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 15, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.