Conveniently tucked away in the northwest quadrant of Washington D.C., this once gated community flaunts a history dating back to the 1870’s.
The area was originally developed by Amzi Barber, one of Howard University’s original trustees. Upon Barber’s resignation from the board, he purchased what was then farm land and began to develop the space. Barber hired architect James H. McGill to begin building the homes. Between 1873 and 1877 there were 50 homes constructed. McGill named the neighborhood after successsful real esate broker LeDroit Langdon.
McGill crafted the homes using Victorian architecture, which was heavily used throughout the construction of many big cities in the U.S. and abroad. Cities like: London (UK), Chicago, Toronto, Richmond (VA), Boston, San Francisco, Grand Rapids, Glasgow (UK), Manchester (UK), all boast this elegant architecture.
With tree lined streets, and distinct shrubbery, LeDroit Park was designed to be an exclusive White’s only suburb of Washington D.C. Fully equipped with security guards, and a gate to fence in the community. This intentional segregation was rather ironic due to its location. The neighborhood borders Howard University which is a historically black university, additionally; LeDroit Park was surrounded by blacks who resided in bordering neighborhoods. After many failed efforts to try to integrate the community the tension became too thick. In 1888, Howard University students broke down the fences to LeDroit Park, which proved to be quite symbolic.
Upon tearing down the gates, in 1893 LeDroit Park welcomed its first black resident, Mr. Octavius Williams, who was a barber at The Capitol. Soon after Williams moved in, others followed. So much so, that by the 1940’s the once exclusive all white suburb was now an affluent all black neighborhood, where prominent blacks of that time resided. Notable LeDroit Park residents include: Dr. Ralph Bunche, General William Birney, senator Edward Brooke, Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, Jazz Legend Duke Ellington, and Civil Rights Activist Rev. Jesse Jackson.
The area was originally developed by Amzi Barber, one of Howard University’s original trustees. Upon Barber’s resignation from the board, he purchased what was then farm land and began to develop the space. Barber hired architect James H. McGill to begin building the homes. Between 1873 and 1877 there were 50 homes constructed. McGill named the neighborhood after successsful real esate broker LeDroit Langdon.
McGill crafted the homes using Victorian architecture, which was heavily used throughout the construction of many big cities in the U.S. and abroad. Cities like: London (UK), Chicago, Toronto, Richmond (VA), Boston, San Francisco, Grand Rapids, Glasgow (UK), Manchester (UK), all boast this elegant architecture.
With tree lined streets, and distinct shrubbery, LeDroit Park was designed to be an exclusive White’s only suburb of Washington D.C. Fully equipped with security guards, and a gate to fence in the community. This intentional segregation was rather ironic due to its location. The neighborhood borders Howard University which is a historically black university, additionally; LeDroit Park was surrounded by blacks who resided in bordering neighborhoods. After many failed efforts to try to integrate the community the tension became too thick. In 1888, Howard University students broke down the fences to LeDroit Park, which proved to be quite symbolic.
Upon tearing down the gates, in 1893 LeDroit Park welcomed its first black resident, Mr. Octavius Williams, who was a barber at The Capitol. Soon after Williams moved in, others followed. So much so, that by the 1940’s the once exclusive all white suburb was now an affluent all black neighborhood, where prominent blacks of that time resided. Notable LeDroit Park residents include: Dr. Ralph Bunche, General William Birney, senator Edward Brooke, Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, Jazz Legend Duke Ellington, and Civil Rights Activist Rev. Jesse Jackson.
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