Downtown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Commodore John Rodgers House

April 12, 2022

1. Commodore John Rodgers House Marker

Inscription.

On this site Commodore John Rodgers built an elegant house in 1831. In it on April 14, 1865 an attempt was made to assassinate W.H. Seward, Secretary of State by one of the conspirators who murdered Abraham Lincoln the same night. The Hon. James G. Blaine afterward bought the house and died here.

The Lafayette Square Opera House was erected of steel skeleton construction, stone, terra-cotta, mackite and brick by

U.H. Painter, C.E.
to prove that an opera house can be made safe at all times from fire and panic. It was six months in building and was opened for business on September 30, 1895.

Erected 1902 by The Daughters of U.H. Painter.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Government & Politics • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 14, 1865.

Location. 38° 53.959′ N, 77° 2.092′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from

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Madison Place Northwest 0.1 miles south of H Street Northwest, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1510 H St NW, Washington DC 20005, 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: This National Courts Building (here, next to this marker); The Rodgers House (a few steps from this marker); United States Court of Claims (a few steps from this marker); United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals (a few steps from this marker); Freedman’s Savings And Trust (within shouting distance of this marker); The Tayloe House (within shouting distance of this marker); General Lafayette and his Compatriots (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cosmos Club (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, February 8, 2025

2. Commodore John Rodgers House Marker

The marker is in the building's interior corridor.

marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2022. This page has been viewed 434 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 12, 2022. 2. submitted on February 8, 2025, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.