One of the most recognizable murals in dc, love, a colorful piece conceptualized and painted by local muralist lisa marie, resides here. Oct 25, 20 demolition of historic carriage house in blagden alley gang of three oh dear, we have lost another original historic carriage house in blagden alley. Jul 20, 2008 the names blagden alley and naylor court were derived from two 19thcentury property owners, thomas blagden and dickerson nailor. Seats from rfk stadium, positioned with a view of the flatscreen tvs. History of the shaw blagden alley neighborhood in the thick of it i f you were 200 years old, standing here at the crossroads that is now the shaw neighborhood, you would have witnessed a lot in your time. Lisa marie thalhammers love mural in blagden alley. For the first time ever, were hosting our market in blagden alley, a historic alley in dcs shaw neighborhood. Calico features eastern shoreinspired elevated cookoutstyle fare as well as a beverage program that includes shareable large format cocktails and growlers, reflecting calicos relaxed, communal. Memorial library, the majority of the materials listed here will be available by appointment at the washingtoniana interim location in fall 2017. Oct 10, 2019 serious sushi lovers should try to book a seat at the omakase counter, otherwise their seasonal kaiseki tasting menu is a great value and includes generous servings of sushi, including a final. Last year, warrell and fellow artist lisa marie thalhammer opened the d. There was a roman presence in blagdon from about 49 ad until the end of the roman occupation of britain. Its our little secret spot that can be an unexpected surprise to people who have never taken a trip there. Several roman coins and fragments of roman pottery have been found in the.
Blagden alleynaylor court historic district wikipedia. Dear consulting parties the national capital planning commission ncpc, in coordination with events dc, invite you to attend a section 106 consultation meeting for the proposed redevelopment of the carnegie library at mount vernon square on thursday, april 10, 2014 from 1. Though blagden alley naylor court are protected by dc historic preservation law, salter believes that its often up to residents to protect the historic integrity of the alleys. Blagden alleys last remaining artist is being priced out.
Tiger forks location in blagden alley perfectly suits the restaurant, hidden away from main streets like so many of the teams favorite bars and restaurants across hong kong. Apr 16, 2019 ive had the privilege and pleasure of following derek brown from the original incarnation of the columbia room back when it was in the original incarnation of the passenger to the spirited republic series at the national archives to the crs current home in blagden alley a mandatory destination for any cocktail lover, and its a treat to see this book come to fruition. After the civil war, residential development in washington, dc, expanded north from downtown to the blagden alley naylor court area and attracted several prestigious, affluent residents, including blanche bruce, the first africanamerican to serve a full. Dickerson nailor now spelled naylor also owned property and was a grocer. Aug 15, 2017 the building, at 50 blagden alley nw, used to be both an art studio and a boxing gym and the owners hope to pay tribute to the history of the alley, which was once a haven for d. Blagden owned property in the area and ran a lumberyard in the city. The used book store opened back in 1991 and is still the ideal respite from the citys hustle and bustle during weekends. Africanamerican history runs deep in shaw, a rowhouse, restaurant and retailfilled neighborhood northeast of the white house. Let go, a mural by rose jaffe, is part of the dc alley museum located in blagden alley.
Covers the 2 squares bounded by m, o, 9th, and 10th streets n. Jun 20, 2016 the hidden history inside washington, d. This time ive chosen to explore more about alley life in washington dc in the 1920s. In the early 1930s, reformers led by eleanor roosevelt sought to eradicate deplorable living conditions in alleys citywide and used blagden alley as their model. If calico opened in the summer it might have been d. In 1967 the washington post published a map showing the borders of shaw as 14th, florida, north capitol, and m streets, nw.
The typical blagden alley home had four rooms with a small back yard, a water pump, a privy, and a shed. The dabney is located in an old row house with the entrance through what was possibly a stable or garage or both at some point in its history. They often shared the alleys with workshops, stables, and other accessory buildings. Instagram faq classes gift cards drink company 10 years of columbia room winter 2020. Welcome general remarks six rules for dining out tyler cowens home page marginal revolution the complete tced guide june 2019 127page pdf metro trip planner. The mosaic is constructed with over 32,000 natural stone. The names blagden alley and naylor court were derived from two 19thcentury property owners, thomas blagden and dickerson nailor. Apr 07, 2017 the dabney is tucked back on blagden alley which has a complex history dating back to the 1800s. Historian james borchert described in his 1980 book, alley life in. How washington views the history of blagden alley and naylor court b lagden alley is an historic district defined by middleclass residences, churches and small apartment buildings that display a rich variety of victorian architectural styles dating from the 1860s to the 1890s. Prathers on the alley aims to be the next neighborhood spot. Calico coming to blagden alley should feel like a backyard. Blagden alleynaylor court historic district, african.
Dcs hippest remaining alley was once home to workingclass immigrants and african americans. How washington views the history of blagden alley and. This bibliography lists the washingtoniana collections various holdings relating to the districts neighborhoods. Thomas blagden and dickerson nailor now naylor were two. Discover washingtons shaw district scandinavian traveler. Blagden alley was one of the most infamous of the blind alleys. Beginning in the 1870s, the stylish rowhouses that surround the interior corridors of blagden alley and its quieter neighbor one block north, naylor court, helped create a secret world of poverty and struggle. Before 1867, square 367 had only ten lots officially recorded as fronting solely on the alley, although the 1857 boschke map showed several structures located near or on the alleys. Government and most states have identified landmarks associated with african american history. National african american historic landmarks by state. The best bars and restaurants in washington dc for a first. The latest eatery to join the ranks of mount vernon triangle will be prathers on the alley, a lowkey restaurant and bar the owners felt their neighborhood was missing. Archival materials may be paged to the library of congress for. Its architecture is predominantly midtolate 1800s row houses fronting the street, with former horse stables converted to car garages in the 20th century backing to the alley.
Blagden alley is a historic district defined by middleclass residences, churches and small apartment buildings which display a rich variety of victorian architectural styles dating from the 1860s to the 1890s. Apr 23, 2019 ive had the privilege and pleasure of following derek brown from the original incarnation of the columbia room back when it was in the original incarnation of the passenger to the spirited republic series at the national archives to the crs current home in blagden alley a mandatory destination for any cocktail lover, and its a treat to see this book come to fruition. Inside the system of interior alleyways is a booming commercial core of craft cocktails and coffee, street art. Blagden alley is artful with murals painted on walls and garages. Despite several attempts over the years to eradicate alley dwellings citywide, blagden remained largely intact until the 1968 riots, after which it was mostly abandoned. C check out spots like the columbia room for cocktails, seylou bakery for wholegrain bread and the very. Media in category blagden alley naylor court historic district the following 5 files are in this category, out of 5 total.
Blagden alley and naylor court are on the national register of historic places. During the three year modernization of the martin luther king jr. Nov 03, 2016 five local artists will debut new murals during a ceremony in blagden alley this afternoon attendees can witness the ceremony and view art from muralists bill warrell, lisa marie thalhammer, rozeal brown, aniekan udofia and cita chelove between m and n and 9th and 10th streets nw today at 4 p. If you are a dc local, then you might have heard of blagden alley by now. Dc alley museuman outdoor collection of public murals by artists lisa marie thalhammer, bill warrell, rozeal, aniekan udofia. Saul urban innovative urban living, distinctive real. The carriage house was built in 1887 by a coal oil dealer named samuel huntress, who, as the story goes, died in a drunken fight behind the house. Apr 25, 2016 the remaining dwellings were refurbished and updated with things like plumbing, heat and other essentials as people began to move back into the alley in the early 2000s. In blagden alley, for example, 42 of its 57 dwellings were converted to. Mar 02, 2020 im only part kidding, because one of my favorite spots in dc is actually a side alley called blagden alley. Neighborhood history resources district of columbia. As a result, there is a grassroots activism in the community. Blagden alley and naylor court historic district, a walking tour.
Ive had the privilege and pleasure of following derek brown from the original incarnation of the columbia room back when it was in the original incarnation of the passenger to the spirited republic series at the national archives to the crs current home in blagden alley a mandatory destination for any cocktail lover, and its a treat to see this book come to fruition. This means that it had dark corners and dead ends in which nefarious activities could take place, and typically only had one way in and out. Jul 28, 2008 in 1880, 64 families lived in blagden alley all african american. Walk through the blagden alley naylor court historic district in washington, d. Derek brown is a leading spirits and cocktail expert and president of drink company, which owns and operates 2017 spirited award winning best american cocktail bar columbia room as well as pub, a rotating popup bar thats housed the wildlypopular miracle on 7th street, cherry blossom pub and game of thrones pub. The alley is part of the blagden alley naylor court historic district, so designated in 1990 to encompass the area bounded by 9th and 10th, m and o streets nw. Im only part kidding, because one of my favorite spots in dc is actually a side alley called blagden alley. He took me on an abbreviated tour of blagden alley, naylor court and the streets. Find colorful murals in blagden alley a hidden enclave in shaw. Oct 31, 2015 craig donated the sitter to the dc alley museum. Over the years, weve had the opportunity to be involved in creating a multifaceted microneighborhood in blagden alley, shaped by the alley s rich history and the local community. Blagden alley offers a partially curated aesthetic that serves as an antithesis to the largescale development that now swaths the downtown core.
Decades later, remnants of that history have been sanitized and elevated to treasured interior spaces, like blagden alley and naylor court in shaw. In 1880, 64 families lived in blagden alley all african american. Blagden alley festival will offer food, art, and retail. Blagden alley festival will offer food, art, and retail september 14. In terms of the areas dirty secrets, herlong is an open book. This is amply illustrated in the history of squares 367 naylor court and 368 blagden alley. Nearby, the city market at o has reinvented itself as a new complex bustling with commerce and activity. David weible walk through the blagden alleynaylor court historic district in washington, d. The 8seat chefs counter overlooks the kitchens grills, offering guests a view of the chefs at work. The property has a pedigree as the home of the first african american senator to serve a full term in office, senator blanche kelso bruce of mississippi. Tucked away between 9th, 10th, n, and o streets in northwest washington, dc blagden alley may not be easy to find but its worth the search. Hidden from the main streets, alley dwellers often formed supportive communities.
The dc historic alley buildings survey national park service. Blagden alley dcs hippest remaining alley was once home to workingclass immigrants and african americans. Photos by nicholas karlin, words by brandon wetherbee. The alley has a rich and interesting history that dates back to 1772, and has included several phases many forgotten, and some not very pretty. Saul urban was founded by frank saul iii in 20 based on a vision to create a multidisciplinary team of professionals to pursue innovative real estate projects responding to the growing demographic trend of people migrating back to the city. Blagden alley is a place worth finding if you like art, street photography, murals, coffee, restaurants, or just hanging out. How washington views the history of blagden alley and naylor. The things he knows arent found in most history books. Alley dwellings were small houses situated on alleys behind large homes that faced the main streets. Stables and businesses were added to the alleys later. Alley life in washington dc blind alleys, 1920s blagden alley was one of the most infamous of the blind alleys. Both metered and hourly parking are available in the neighborhood.
Neighborhood history resources district of columbia public. Freshly renovated 1 bedroom in historic home convention. This elegant, historic circa 1873 townhouse is located among other stately townhomes on a treelined street just 12 block from the new walter e. Blagden alley naylor court is a historic district and one of the few remaining intact examples of washingtons characteristic alley dwellings.
Blagden alley naylor court historic district is one of the few remaining intact examples of washington, dcs characteristic alley dwelling phenomenon. Calico, the latest concept from partners nathan beauchamp and greg algie of tiger fork and the fainting goat, is a restaurant, bar and urban backyard located in the districts historic blagden alley. Dc alley museum is open in blagden alley its official. I lived in a house on blagden alley dc many years ago, and to this day it remains one of my favorite places in washington dc. The village was called blachedon in the 1086 domesday book and the name comes from the old english bloec and dun meaning the black or bleak down. Blagden alley dc the dupont circle hotel washington dc. Feb 04, 2020 tucked away in blagden alley, the restaurant is nearly unnoticeable unless you know where youre headed, but once inside its clear this is one of the most popular restaurants in dc. Description this elegant, historic circa 1873 townhouse is located among other stately townhomes on a treelined street just 12 block from the new walter e. Its rumored that first lady eleanor roosevelt once called blagden alley the most despicable alley in america, but if she were to visit today, shed probably see it differently. In shaw, blagden alley and naylor court are considered so notable, the national park service designated them as a historic district. The hidden alleyway in dc thats loaded with history. Our building is in the easternmost part of the alley that backs 9th street nw. The dc historic alley buildings survey research and text by kim protho williams, architectural historiannational register coordinator, dc historic preservation office design by kim elliott, architect, dc historic preservation office published 2014 unless stated otherwise, photographs and images are from the dc office of planning collection.
The blagden alleynaylor court historic district is a neighborhood in the shaw district of washington, d. Shows buildings not as of 1990, property lines and dimensions, and house numbers. This location is rich with history dating back to the civil war. Supporting local makers at streetmarket streetsense. Colorful street art mural in shaws blagden alley historic alleyway in washington, dc. In the interior of each block are extant examples of utilitarian alley dwellings, such as. Blagden alley dc was also designated a historic site by the national register in the 1990s, which means that the original architectural details have been maintained, so you get a really wonderful and unique glimpse into the history of the buildings.
Prathers on the alley aims to be the next neighborhood. Discover the littleknown history of the upandcoming blagden alleynaylor court historic district in washington, d. The historic alley, now restored, feels like a hidden world. Author robert kolker takes us inside oprahs latest book club pick. The dabney is located in blagden alley, which lies between 9th and 10th streets nw and m and n streets nw. Demolition of historic carriage house in blagden alley gang.
Mar 02, 2017 the latest eatery to join the ranks of mount vernon triangle will be prathers on the alley, a lowkey restaurant and bar the owners felt their neighborhood was missing. Listed below are the african american national historic landmarks by state, as certified by the national park services national register of historic places, as well as some state landmarks. Dec 06, 2017 in 1967 the washington post published a map showing the borders of shaw as 14th, florida, north capitol, and m streets, nw. Search results from map, maps, real property, available online. Much of the neighborhood suffered damage in the 1968 washington, d. Blagden alleynaylor court historic district nomination. The columbia room, 124 blagden alley nw, washington, d.
Map of blagden alleynaylor court historic district showing buildings by date of construction. Theres history painted on the walls of blagden alley. This building was to be part of the gang of three project by douglas development. Cadastral map of the blagden alley and naylor court historic. Within these borders are several subsections such as logan circle, u street, blagden alley, parts of mount vernon square, and truxton circle. He took me on an abbreviated tour of blagden alley, naylor court and the streets around the alleys. Located in dcs upandcoming shaw neighborhood, blagden alley is a cobblestoned back alley that is home to some of the citys most chic coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, all hidden away from the public eye of 9 street nw. Its said that eleanor roosevelt once called the neighborhoodblagden alleythe most despicable in the country because of its reputation for bootlegging and crime during prohibition. Mark herlong is a tour guide for walkingtown dc and an expert on d.