Southwest Waterfront in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Heyday of Four-and-a-Half Street
River Farms to Urban Towers
— Southwest Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 6, 2020
This quiet street was once Washington's answer to New York's Lower East Side. Fourth Street, known until 1934 as a 4½ Street, and nearly Seventh Street were Southwest's shopping centers.
Around 1900 this street was the dividing line between a mostly African American community living to the east and mostly Irish, Italian, and Jewish communities to the west. Yet black and white adults came together over life's necessities in the small shops along 4½ Street. Grocers, butchers, cobblers, and merchants supplied flour and sugar, fresh meat, clothing, and dry goods. German Jewish immigrants moved in during the Civil War, living above their small businesses. A larger wave of Eastern European Jews began arriving after 1880.
This street was the center of Jewish life in Southwest, but it was never exclusive. The Jewell Theater, showing movies to African American audiences, once sat here across from today's Amidon Elementary School. Children played together in alleys and schoolyards, and roamed to the Mall to visit the Smithsonian museums or play on the open fields.
Southwest's Jewish community produced a civic leader for the entire city, Attorney Harry S. Wender worked to make DC streets safer and to create playgrounds. In 1934, he helped bring black and white citizens together to persuade the city to tear up the worn-out cobblestones of 4½ Street, modernize it, and re-name it Fourth Street to symbolize its shiny new image. The whole neighborhood celebrated its rehabilitation with the first integrated parade in the city's history.
Erected 2004 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Southwest Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 38° 52.749′ N, 77° 1.068′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Southwest Waterfront. Marker is at the intersection of I Street Southwest and 4th Street Southwest on I Street Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 I Street Southwest, Washington DC 20024, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Mixing Bowl (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); ADA: Landmark Declaration of Equality for Americans with Disabilities (about 700 feet away); 20th Anniversary of ADA July 24, 2010 (about 700 feet away); Renewal and Loss (about 700 feet away); Change on the Waterfront (approx. 0.2 miles away); New Town in the City
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 6, 2020
Also see . . . River Farms to Urban Towers Booklet. (Submitted on October 20, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 6, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.