Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Nob Hill
Cultural Convergence
— Columbia Heights Heritage Trail —
For nearly 50 years, this corner was home to Nob Hill Restaurant, one of the nation's first openly gay bars for-and run by-African Americans.
Started in the 1950s as a private social club, Nob Hill went public in 1957. Patrons enjoyed entertainment ranging from male dancers to weekly “Gospel Hours” with local church choirs. One regular called the low-key club “a house party that charged a cover.” When Nob Hill closed in 2004, it was considered DC's longest-operating gay bar.
Across Kenyon Street are the playing fields of Harriet Tubman Elementary School. The school opened in 1970 amid controversy over whether it would destroy the neighborhood's essential character. Despite resident efforts to block the school; construction went ahead, displacing 17 longstanding businesses along 11th Street and fine, three-story rowhouses on 13th, Irving, and Kenyon Streets.
The remaining single-story commercial strip behind you dates back to the early 1910s, shortly after the 11th Street streetcar line arrived and increased foot traffic here.
As you proceed to Sign 8, you'll pass Columbia Road, where Ralph Bunche lived at number 1123 in the early 1930s. Bunche later founded Howard University's Political Science Department and served as a U.S. diplomat. For his work on establishing the state of Israel, Bunche received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950, the first African American so honored.
Erected 2009 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 7.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 38° 55.804′ N, 77° 1.678′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Columbia Heights. Marker is on 11th Street Northwest north of Kenyon Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 Kenyon Street Northwest, Washington DC 20010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Charles R. Drew and Lenore Robbins Drew (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Park Road Community Church (about 800 feet away); "Treat Me Refined" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Holmead Legacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Changing Landscape (approx. 0.2 miles away); A City in Itself (approx. ¼ mile away); Urban Oasis (approx. ¼ mile away); Hobart Community Parks (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 19, 2020
Also see . . . DC's oldest bar, Nob Hill, shuts its doors after 50 years. By Sean Bugg and Randy Shulman, Metro Weekly, February 25, 2004. (Submitted on July 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. LGBT LGBTQ 🏳️🌈
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 793 times since then and 85 times this year. Last updated on July 24, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on July 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.