West End in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Across 23rd St. and Rock Creek
Dupont Circle
— Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood —
Police Call Boxes such as this one (originally painted blue) were installed in the District after the Civil War. Officers on foot patrol used this secure telegraph system to contact the station, accessing the box with a now highly collectible "gold key." This system was used until the late 1970s when it was abandoned in favor of more modern communication methods.
Across 23rd St. and Rock Creek lies Georgetown. Predating Washington, DC, Georgetown was incorporated in 1752. It became part of the new District of Columbia in 1791, but remained a separate city until 1871.
Built in the 1930s, the gas station at 23rd and P Sts. (1930s) was the first commercial structure in DC to comply with new design regulations requiring that the design reflect its neighbors; note the Church of the Pilgrim (above) at 2201 P St. The gas station replaced the Washington Riding Academy, which opened 1888 when this area was still sparsely developed.
Where 23rd St. becomes Florida Ave., above P St., President George Washington's coach-and-four forded Rock Creek on his way to or from Mt. Vernon from New York or Philadelphia when they were the seat of the Federal Government.
DC painter/teacher Tom Wagner grew up in Pennsylvania's coal mining region, whose "ravaged topography's interplay with man and
this page online
Artist | Tom Wagner
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1752.
Location. 38° 54.518′ N, 77° 2.956′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in West End. Marker is at the intersection of O Street Northwest and 23rd Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west on O Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1414 22nd Street Northwest, Washington DC 20037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The building on this corner (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Taras Shevchenko Memorial (about 500 feet away); Washington Before Washington (about 600 feet away); The first houses south and west of Dupont Circle (about 700 feet away); Before the city built a bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tomáš G. Masaryk (approx.
More about this marker. Back of marker appears to have weather damage
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 13, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
