Carver Langston in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Langston Golf Course and Driving Range

2600 Benning Road, NE

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

Langston Golf Course and Driving Range Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 19, 2018

1. Langston Golf Course and Driving Range Marker

Inscription. Until 1939, the only place for African Americans to play golf in Washington was West Potomac Park. That year, in response to petitions by African American golfers asking Interior Secretary Harold Ickes to desegregate the city's public golf courses, Ickes instead permitted construction of a nine-hole course for blacks there on an abandoned trash dump. Golfers continued their pressure until Ickes finally issued an order to desegregate Washington's golf courses in 1941. Always open to all, Langston Golf Course attracted local residents and celebrities, including singer Billy Eckstine, pro golfer Lee Elder, and boxer Joe Louis. Langston memorializes Virginia abolitionist and congressman John Mercer Langston (1829-1897).

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Sports. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 38° 53.903′ N, 76° 58.214′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Carver Langston. Marker is on 26th Street Northeast north of Benning Road Northeast, on the

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right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2600 Benning Road Northeast, Washington DC 20002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Langston Golf Course (within shouting distance of this marker); Langston Terrace Dwellings / Hilyard Robinson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Kingman & Heritage Islands (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Welcome to Kingman & Heritage Islands (approx. 0.4 miles away); Native Fish of Kingman and Heritage Islands (approx. 0.4 miles away); Native Birds of Kingman and Heritage Islands (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Native Birds of Kingman and Heritage Islands (approx. 0.4 miles away); Clark Calvin Griffith (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northeast Washington.

More about this marker.
Caption:
"The First Tee" at Langston Golf Course
Oil painting by Linwood Barnes

Also see . . .
1. Langston Golf Course and Driving Range. African American Heritage Trail entry (Submitted on January 19, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

2. Langston Golf Course. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 10, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 19, 2018

2. Langston Golf Course and Driving Range Marker

John Mercer Langston image. Click for full size.

University of Texas via Wikipedia, unknown

3. John Mercer Langston

Howard University law professor and namesake of the golf course

Langston Golf Course Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 19, 2018

4. Langston Golf Course Sign

Langston
Golf Course

United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service

Sign on Benning Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 19, 2018

5. Sign on Benning Road

Langston Golf Course
Grille | Lessons | Range

A banner found elsewhere in Carver-Langston image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 30, 2024

6. A banner found elsewhere in Carver-Langston

It interprets the story of Langston Golf Course’s namesake.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 402 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on January 10, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 6. submitted on March 31, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.