Penn Quarter in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John Wilkes Booth’s Escape
Civil War to Civil Rights
— Downtown Heritage Trail —
“My brother saw Booth as he came down the alley and turned into F Street.” —Henry Davis, 1902
Twelve-year-old Henry Davis and his brother often looked out the back window of their Ninth Street home before they went to bed. They were fascinated by the comings and goings of actors and stagehands at the rear of Ford’s Theatre, at the other end of the alley on 10th Street.
On the evening of April 14, 1865, Henry went to bed early, but his brother stayed up and was a witness to history. He saw a man limp from the back door of the theater, struggle onto a horse being held for him, and dash down the alley toward F Street. It was the famous actor and Confederate supporter John Wilkes Booth, the matinee idol of his day. He had just shot President Lincoln as he sat in his box, watching Our American Cousin.
Booth had been trying to capture the president for months. Now the plan was to murder Mr. Lincoln, but this plan had come together only hours before. At six p.m., Booth and his co-conspirators met at the Herndon House, which once stood just steps from this alley on the corner of Ninth and F, where the Courtyard by Marriott hotel is today. There it was agreed that Booth’s fellow conspirator Lewis Powell would kill Secretary of State Seward, and George Azerodt would kill Vice President Johnson. Booth took Lincoln for himself.
Azerodt’s will apparently failed him. Powell severely wounded Seward. But Booth’s bullet hit home. The full story is told at Ford’s Theatre around the Corner on Tenth Street and in the Petersen House across the street where Lincoln died at 7:22 the next morning. Booth would be apprehended and killed in a Virginia tobacco shed 12 days later.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC. (Marker Number .6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Notable Events • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Booth's Escape, the Downtown Heritage Trail, the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #17 Andrew Johnson series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 14, 1849.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 53.836′ N, 77° 1.492′ W. Marker was in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in the Penn Quarter. Marker was on F Street Northwest west of 9th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the F Street sidewalk (south side), just east of the alley between 9th and 10th Streets. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 918 F Street Northwest, Washington DC 20004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named John Wilkes Booth's Escape (here, next to this marker); The Restoration of 800 F Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roy Lichtenstein (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Roy Lichtenstein (about 300 feet away); Site Of The Old Carroll Hall (about 400 feet away); "Woodies" comes to F Street (about 400 feet away); The Christian Index (about 400 feet away); St. Patrick's Parish (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker which has slightly different text.
Also see . . . Booth's Escape Byway, Maryland Office of Tourism. (Submitted on August 19, 2019.)
Additional keywords. William Seward; Andrew Johnson; Villain
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,197 times since then and 92 times this year. Last updated on April 16, 2020. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 14, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on April 5, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.