Brightwood in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Streetcar Named Brightwood
Battleground to Community
— Brightwood Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 18, 2020
The Large Structure across Georgia Avenue opened in 1909 as a "car barn" for the Brightwood Railway. The facility could service more than 40 streetcars at once, and often did so late at night. As a young boy in the 1950s, Thomas Reardon remembered the busy barn as "a scary place" where streetcars' lights gleamed in the darkness "like the eyes of monsters." Powered at first by horses, the streetcars by 1893 ran on electricity provided by overhead lines. Congress prohibited overhead lines south of Florida Avenue, so southbound streetcars stopped there to switch to an underground conduit.
With two quick rings on the bell, the conductor alerted passengers that he was about to move. At night, residents recalled, the hum of the streetcar could be heard for blocks. Buses replaced streetcars here in 1960 (citywide in 1962). Subsequently the car barn housed a series of auto dealerships.
Next to the old car barn at 5921 Georgia Avenue, Sidney Hechinger opened his third building-supply store in 1927. Three years he built a substantial Art Deco Style store on the site. The longstanding and prosperous Hechinger family business had begun in 1911 with a wrecking and salvage company located at 6th and C streets, Southwest. Three generations of Hechingers directed the company with a strong sense of civic responsibility. John Hechinger, Sr., served as chairman of the first city council of the 20th century. The family sold the business in 1997, and the buyers closed its doors forever two years later.
Erected 2008 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 18.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco, and the Brightwood Heritage Trail series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 38° 57.754′ N, 77° 1.685′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Brightwood. Marker is at the intersection of Georgia Avenue Northwest (U.S. 29) and Peabody Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north on Georgia Avenue Northwest. The marker is on the southwest corner of Peabody Street and Georgia Avenue. However, remnants of the streetcar tracks remain embedded in the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6000 Georgia Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Rock on Brightwood Avenue (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Build It And They Will Come (about 400 feet away); “Get Down You Fool” (about 500 feet away); Aunt Betty's Story
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 18, 2020
Regarding A Streetcar Named Brightwood. The car barn has been razed and has been replaced with the strip mall that includes the Wal-Mart.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,056 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on April 6, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.