Adams Morgan in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The "Duke" Ellington Memorial Bridge
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 14, 2013
1. The Duke Ellington Memorial Bridge Marker
Edward Kennedy Ellington
1899-1974
Native Son
Composer - Performer - Playwright
International Statesman of Goodwill
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Bridges & Viaducts.
Location. 38° 55.405′ N, 77° 2.852′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Adams Morgan. It is on Calvert Street Northwest west of Biltmore Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. On the Northeast abutment of the Duke Ellington Bridge in Adam's Morgan. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1971 Calvert Street Northwest, Washington DC 20009, 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 the North Atlantic Region, 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: Resilience and Resistance (here, next to this marker); Seeking Freedom (a few steps from this marker); Archaeology in Adams Morgan: Surveying the Walter Pierce Park Cemeteries, 2005-2013 (a few steps from this marker); Rediscovery and Remembrance (a few steps from this marker); Soldiers, Sailors, and Refugees of War (a few steps from this marker); Historic Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Soldiers and Sailors Buried at Mt. Pleasant Plains Cemetery, 1870-1890 (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Archaeology in Adams Morgan (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Duke Ellington at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on September 18, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Additional commentary.
1. The Calvert Street Bridge
The Calvert Street Bridge carrying Calvert Street over the Rock Creek gorge was named for Duke Ellington after his death in 1974. The Indiana limestone clad concrete span was built in 1935 to replace a shaky iron trestle bridge built to carry streetcars.
— Submitted August 20, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 17, 2013
2. The Duke Ellington Memorial Bridge Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 17, 2013
3. The Duke Ellington Memorial Bridge
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 17, 2013
4. Air Transportation
Art Deco Panel by Leon Hermant on the southwest abutment of the bridge.
"a youth soaring over the clouds, represents the daring and earnestness of this new achievement"
"a youth soaring over the clouds, represents the daring and earnestness of this new achievement"
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 17, 2013
5. Water Transportation
Art Deco Panel by Leon Hermant on the Northwest abutment of the bridge.
"a female figure, symbol of the smooth motion of ships over oceans and rivers"
"a female figure, symbol of the smooth motion of ships over oceans and rivers"
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 17, 2013
6. Rail Transportation
Art Deco Panel by Leon Hermant on the northeast abutment of the bridge
"a male figure, typical of the powerful modern steam engine, flying over the network of tracks covering the country. He holds the Caduceus emblem of trade"
"a male figure, typical of the powerful modern steam engine, flying over the network of tracks covering the country. He holds the Caduceus emblem of trade"
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, August 17, 2013
7. Road Transportation
Art Deco Panel by Leon Hermant on the southeast abutment of the bridge
"The speedy automobile which replaced the old vehicular traffic over our highways, is represented by a woman leaning over a chassis"
"The speedy automobile which replaced the old vehicular traffic over our highways, is represented by a woman leaning over a chassis"
Photographed by Jack E. Boucher, HAER, 1993
8. Duke Ellington Bridge
Aerial view of the south elevation looking northeast, taken by Jack E. Boucher.
The bridge has security fencing because it was a suicide bridge, used 1940's-70's
The bridge has security fencing because it was a suicide bridge, used 1940's-70's
MLK Library
9. Calvert Street Bridge, 1891
Historic view of the earlier Calvert Street Bridge, ca. 1891, built for the Rock Creek Railway Company.HAER/MLK Library
Negative No. 8427
Negative No. 8427
Photographed by Wikipedia
10. Clifford Berryman Cartoon, 1922
This Cartoon from Feb. 19, 1922 spoofs the shakiness of the old trestle bridge in the Jazz age.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,541 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on August 20, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
