Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Georgetown's Watering Holes
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018
Georgetown's reputation for lively watering holes continues. Many of the buildings here on Wisconsin Avenue were originally private homes. Over the years they were converted to bars, restaurants and shops spurred by the city-wide historic preservation movement that began in the 1930s when Georgetown's charm and small town feel were rediscovered.
In 1933, William S. Martin and his son William G. Martin, a Georgetown University Hall of Famer who played three professional sports, founded Martin's Tavern behind you, the oldest family owned restaurant in Georgetown. Since its opening, the tavern has played host to presidents starting with Harry Truman, other politicians, journalists, sports figures, tourists and locals, and it continues to be a landmark on this corner. It has long been the site of intrigue and romance; rumor has it that alleged Soviet spy Alger Hiss, who lived in Georgetown, and Soviet operative-turned U.S. informer, Elizabeth Bentley, met their contacts at Martin's in the 1930s and 1940s — and that in 1953 John F. Kennedy proposed to Jackie in booth number 3.
When Georgetown was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967 it attracted fashionable shops, as well as restaurants and bars that soon grew to more than one hundred. Today, Georgetown has regained the social prominence that began in the early 1800s, and it is indeed a place to see and be seen.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Sports. In addition, it is included in the DC, Art on Call, the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1791.
Location. 38° 54.409′ N, 77° 3.785′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Marker is at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue Northwest and N Street
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 2, 2018
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Lutz (within shouting distance of this marker); A Drugstore Like No Other (within shouting distance of this marker); Dumbarton United Methodist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Georgetown Theater, Slave Pen, and the Marshall Family (about 400 feet away); Potomac No. 5 (about 500 feet away); Historic Preservation in Georgetown (about 500 feet away); Tayloe / Snyder House (about 600 feet away); The City Tavern (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 343 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on August 6, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 2, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.