Penn Quarter in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"Woodies" comes to F Street
Civil War To Civil Rights
— Downtown Heritage Trail —
"Alvin, Washington, D.C., is the place for us."
So wrote Samuel Walter Woodward to his business partner, Alvin Lathrop, in 1879. The young Massachusetts entrepreneurs were looking for a new location for their innovative dry goods store. Breaking from the then-usual practice of bargaining with customers over prices, the pair introduced new practices: fixed prices and the option to return goods.
Woodward recognized the new vitality and promise of the nation's capital. Since the end of the Civil War just 14 years earlier, Washington had grown in stature as the center of a strong federal government. It had been thoroughly modernized with broad paved streets and avenues, sewers, gaslights, and thousands of young trees. The expanding capital attracted new residents eager to fill government jobs and start businesses.
Woodward and Lothrop joined them in 1880 and opened Boston Dry Goods near Seventh and Pennsylvania Avenue. In 1887, they moved their establishment, now enlarged to a modern "department store," to this location, spearheading the development of F Street as the city's premier downtown shopping boulevard. Affectionately known as "Woodies," Woodward & Lothrop was a Washington tradition until its closing in 1996.
Erected by
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Downtown Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 38° 53.847′ N, 77° 1.575′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in the Penn Quarter. Marker is on F Street Northwest west of 10th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 F St NW, Washington DC 20004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Woodward and Lothrop "Woodies" Colorization Project (within shouting distance of this marker); John J. Donovan, Jr. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Patrick's Parish (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Woodward and Lothrop "Woodies" Colorization Project (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Woodward and Lothrop "Woodies" Colorization Project (about 300 feet away); Abraham Lincoln (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Woodward and Lothrop "Woodies" Colorization Project (about 300 feet away); John Wilkes Booth's Escape (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Related marker. Click here
!["Woodies" comes to F Street Marker [Reverse] image. Click for full size.](Photos6/693/Photo693980.jpg?122202222400PM "\"Woodies\" comes to F Street Marker [Reverse]. Click for full size.")
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 2, 2022
2. "Woodies" comes to F Street Marker [Reverse]
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
