Mount Vernon Square in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Seventh Street Develops
Midcity at the Crossroads
— Shaw Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 16, 2009
1. Seventh Street Develops Marker
In 1864 St. Patrick’s parish opened an Immaculate Conception Church for Catholics living far from its downtown F Street home. This imposing Gothic style building was completed a decade later. Renowned actress Helen Hayes was baptized here in 1900. Immaculate Conception’s community work included its Washington Catholic Hour radio show on WOL (1921-1962). For 99 years, until 1964, the church operated Immaculate Conception School for boys at 711 N Street. It is now an elementary school. Girls attended Immaculate Conception Academy nearby at Eighth and Q streets until 1954.
After much of this area was destroyed in the 1968 riots, Monsignor Joshua Mundell worked to stabilize the neighborhood, encouraging church and federal government collaborations to build modern apartments.
The Seventh Street Savings Bank building is a remnant of the block’s business era. The combination bank/residential building opened in 1912. After many mergers, it closed for good in 1983.
Seventh Street developed as a business street because of good transportation. Back in 1810, Congress chartered the Seventh Street Turnpike from Pennsylvania Avenue to Rockville, Maryland. At first omnibuses (horse-drawn wagons) carried passengers along Seventh. Then in 1862 Congress chartered street railways, with a Seventh Street line.
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Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Shaw Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 38° 54.427′ N, 77° 1.309′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Mount Vernon Square. Marker is at the intersection of 7th Street Northwest and N Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south on 7th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Immaculate Conception Catholic School (within shouting distance of this marker); Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Reaching for Equality (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Community Anchors
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 4, 2019
2. Seventh Street Develops Marker
Reverse of marker
More about this marker. [ Photo Captions:]
A Church of the Immaculate Conception alter boy, 1937. (Washington Post.)
Shooting hoops across N St. from church, 1972. (Washington Post.)
Renowned actress Helen Hayes was baptized in 1900 at Immaculate Conception Church where her parents married. (Courtesy of the Helen Hayes Society.)
This machine, photographed below Seventh and L sts., bored subway tunnels.
Wooden decking here covered the excavation here for Metro's Green and Yellow Lines, 1985. (Washington Post.)
Father Joshua Mundell and Immaculate Conception School children. (Immaculate Conception School.)
National Bank of Washington was the last bank to occupy the Seventh Street Bank building. (The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.)
[Photo caption on reverse:
The
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 16, 2009
3. Seventh Street Develops Marker
with Immaculate Conception Church and the 7th Street Bank Building in background across the intersection.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Helen Hayes. (Submitted on November 8, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Wikipedia entry for the Washington Metro. (Submitted on November 8, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,431 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 8, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on November 4, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on November 8, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
