LeDroit Park and its History

The rise of this neighborhood began from 1873 to 1877, after the abolishing of slavery in April 16, 1862 and the assassination of the great President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. on April 14, 1865. The wake of this city included the establishment of trains, streetcar lines and the the suburbs, LeDroit Park being one of them. This neighborhood was originally made for wealthy white residents by Amzi L. Barber, co founder of Howard University and recognized as “ The Asphalt King.”

Known architect and engraver James H. McGill’s artistically structured houses still stand, with radiance that catches the eyes of passerby’s. Although McGill’s signature talent for brickwork and roof lines have made it to 2011, the gates and guards that once restricted African Americans from entering LeDroit Park have been taken down and the neighborhood is now occupied by a diverse mix of residents. LeDroit Park is directly adjacent to Howard University, the mecca for Black movements in the United States. It was only a matter of time when Howard students would rise up and fight for their equal rights as citizens of DC who have the right to reside in LeDroit Park. The first African American resident in LeDroit Park was Octavius Williams in 1893 on The rise of this neighborhood began from 1873 to 1877, after the abolishing of slavery in April 16, 1862 and the assassination of the great President Abraham Lincoln at the Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. on April 14, 1865. The wake of this city included the establishment of trains, streetcar lines and the the establishment of suburbs, LeDroit Park being one of them. This neighborhood, originally made for wealthy white residents by Amzi L. Barber, a cofounder of Howard University and recognized as “ The Asphalt King”

Known architect and engraver James H. McGill’s artistically structured houses still stand, with radiance that catches the eyes of passerby’s. Although McGill’s signature talent for brickwork and roofline have made it to 2011, the gates and guards that once restricted African Americans from entering LeDroit Park have been taken down and the neighborhood is now occupied by a diverse mix of residents. LeDroit Park is directly adjacent to Howard University, the mecca for Black movements in the United States. It was only a matter of time when Howard students would rise up and fight for their equal rights as citizens of DC who have the right to reside in LeDroit Park. The first African American resident in LeDroit Park was Octavius Williams in 1893 The rise of this neighborhood began from 1873 to 1877, after the abolishing of slavery in April 16, 1862 and the assassination of the great President Abraham Lincoln at the Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. on April 14, 1865. The wake of this city included the establishment of trains, streetcar lines and the the establishment of suburbs, LeDroit Park being one of them. This neighborhood, originally made for wealthy white residents by Amzi L. Barber, a cofounder of Howard University and recognized as “ The Asphalt King”

Known architect and engraver James H. McGill’s artistically structured houses still stand, with radiance that catches the eyes of passerby’s. Although McGill’s signature talent for brickwork and roofline have made it to 2011, the gates and guards that once restricted African Americans from entering LeDroit Park have been taken down and the neighborhood is now occupied by a diverse mix of residents. LeDroit Park is directly adjacent to Howard University, the mecca for Black movements in the United States. It was only a matter of time when Howard students would rise up and fight for their equal rights as citizens of DC who have the right to reside in LeDroit Park. The first African American resident in LeDroit Park was Octavius Williams, a barber, in 1893 at 338 Spruce Street. His daughter still lives there.

As the population of black people rose, white inhabitants started to move out of the DC metropolitan area and out of the LeDroit neighborhood.  According to the Washington Post Washington DC, that is known for its African American demographic, is now evolving into a city  mostly populated by more whites and hispanics.

Quote from the Washington Post: “When new census data revealed last month that blacks are probably no longer a majority in Washington — a status they had held since shortly after World War II — some residents read that as confirmation that the District’s black identity is slipping away. From politicians to talk-show callers, in diners and schoolyards, many Washingtonians — and especially black residents who have spent all their lives in the city — took the census numbers as proof that the District is turning into one more majority-white city.” 


Sources: 

http://washington.org/visiting/experience-dc/knowledge-seeker/dc-history-african-american

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc65.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/pondering-meaning-of-changing-dc-demographics/2011/03/30/AF02nCHD_story.html