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 —
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 6, 2010
1. Woodies Comes to F Street Marker
"Alvin, Washington, D.C., is the place for us."
So wrote Samuel Walter Woodward to his business partner, Alvin Lothrop, in 1879. The young entrepreneurs were looking for a new location for their innovative dry goods store near Boston, Massachusetts. Unhappy with the bargaining common in stores of the day, they were the first to charge a fixed price and to allow returns.
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 new importance as the center of a strong federal government. It had been thoroughly modernized, with broad paved streets and avenues, sewers, gaslights, and thousands of new trees. Americans were flocking to the newly important capital to take government jobs and start businesses.
Woodward and Lothrop joined them in 1880 and opened their store 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," the store was a Washington tradition until its closing in 1996.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number .7.)
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Downtown Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.847′ N, 77° 1.566′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in the Penn Quarter. Marker was at the intersection of F Street Northwest and 10th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on F Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1000 F Street Northwest, Washington DC 20004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named "Woodies" comes to F Street (a few steps from this marker); The Woodward and Lothrop "Woodies" Colorization Project (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Patrick's Parish (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 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
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 6, 2010
2. Woodies Comes to F Street Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker which has slightly different text.
Also see . . . Woodward & Lothrop. (Submitted on October 25, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 6, 2010
3. Woodies Comes to F Street Marker
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, September 6, 2010
4. The Woodward & Lothrop Department Store Building
- on F Street between 10th & 11th Streets, NW
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 937 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 24, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the marker reverse • Can you help?
