Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Amusement Palace
Cultural Convergence
— Columbia Heights Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 26, 2017
The intersection of 14th Street and Park Road has been the center of community life since at least 1871, when the neighborhood was called Mount Pleasant and storekeeper George Emery made his living on the northwest corner to your left. Emery's emporium, the first on upper 14th Street, marked the end of the line for the horse-drawn omnibus (coach) that carried residents to the Treasury and other points downtown. "Its stock ranged all the way from mowing machines to dry goods," wrote Emery's son Fred.
In 1892 the Washington and Georgetown Railroad Company began running electric streetcars up 14th Street to your left. After the line was extended in 1907, investors, including gramophone inventor and neighbor Emile Berliner, transformed the car barn into the Arcade, a combination market and amusement park.
Best known for its street-level vendor stalls, the Arcade over time boasted a movie theater, sports arena, bowling alleys, skating rink, and dance hall upstairs, not to mention carnival fun in the Japanese Maze and the House of Trouble. "The big Arcade building was crowded from end to end with one of the happiest throngs imaginable," wrote the Washington Post about opening night.
In November 1925 the newly organized American Basketball Association inducted DC's Palace Five. The Five (also called the "Laundrymen" for their first sponsor, Palace Laundry) played their first home-court Big League game at the Arcade. Some 2,500 fans watched them beat the Brooklyn Five, 18 to 17.
Erected 2009 by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1925.
Location. 38° 55.795′ N, 77° 1.956′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Columbia Heights. Marker is at the intersection of 14th Street Northwest and Kenyon Street Northwest, on the right on 14th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3131 14th St NW, Washington DC 20010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A City in Itself (within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); After the Hard Times (about 600 feet away); The Latino Intelligence Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Wilson Center (approx. 0.2 miles away); Turbulence and Change (approx. 0.2 miles away); Upheaval and Activism
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 26, 2017
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 26, 2017
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 26, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.