Adams Morgan in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Roots of Reed-Cooke
Roads to Diversity
— Adams Morgan Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 9, 2019
In 1947, the building on your left opened as the National Arena, a public roller rink and bowling alley. It also hosted professional wrestling, roller derbies, and rock concerts. In 1986 it became the Citadel Motion Picture Center, where portions of Peggy Sue Got Married, Gardens of Stone, and other movies were filmed. In 1994 MTV recorded its town hall meeting with President Bill Clinton in the studio here in Reed-Cooke.
Reed-Cooke’s earliest African American settlers moved here from what is now Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park. The came in the late 1880s after Mary Foote Henderson evicted them from her property. Reed-Cooke became industrial as well as residential, with warehouses and car dealerships. The Church of the Savior’s missions and King Emmanuel Baptist Church (originally Meridian Hill Church), behind you on Kalorama Road, supported the community’s spiritual and social needs.
Like much of this area, Reed-Cooke experienced decline in the 1950s and 1960s. The Adams Morgan Planning Committee called its small industrial section a “deteriorating influence,” and wanted to demolish or adapt it along with nearby houses. But residents worked to fend off urban renewal and the Adams Morgan Organization, Jubilee Housing, Adams Morgan Community Development Corporation, King Emmanuel Baptist Church, and many others mustered funding to preserve buildings and create affordable apartments.
In 1981 ANC Commissioner Edward G. Jackson, Sr., coined “Reed-Cooke” for the area between 16th and 18th Streets, and led a community effort to make it official. The name, like Adams Morgan’s, recognizes two schools: the Marie H. Reed Community Learning Center (Champlain Street), and the H.D. Cooke Elementary School (17th and Euclid).
Erected 2005 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 3.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Adams Morgan Heritage Trail, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #42 William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.
Location. 38° 55.292′ N, 77° 2.321′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Adams Morgan. Marker is on Kalorama Road Northwest east of 17th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1631 Kalorama Road Northwest, Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Envoy (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Park Tower (about 600 feet away); Meridian Hill / Malcolm X Park
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 9, 2019
More about this marker. [Caption for photo group in upper right]:
Reed-Cooke in 1949, clockwise from bottom left: corner, Champlain and Kalorama; west of Onatario; and Champlain St. car dealer
[Caption, photo in lower left]:
The first tenant board of Jubilee Housing’s Mozart building (1630 Fuller St.) meets to discuss cooperative management in 1978.
[Caption, photo on right, center]:
Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts in The Pelican Brief, filmed at Citadel Studio.
[Caption, photo in lower center]:
Skaters enjoy the National Arena, 1979.
[Caption, photo on lower right]:
Demonstration by the Thunderbirds, professional roller derby team, at the arena, 1983.
Additional keywords. urban development, community organizing
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,222 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 15, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.