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U Street (Washington, D.C.)

Coordinates:38°55′1.2″N77°1′46.5″W/ 38.917000°N 77.029583°W/38.917000; -77.029583
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U Street Corridor
Neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Top:Lincoln Theatre(left) andBen's Chili Bowl(right); middle: view of U Street; bottom: U Street by16th Street(left) and U Street by14th Street(right)
Coordinates:38°55′01″N77°01′59″W/ 38.917046°N 77.03293°W/38.917046; -77.03293
CountryUnited States
DistrictWashington, D.C.
WardWard 1
Government
• CouncilmemberBrianne Nadeau(Ward 1)
Area
• Total.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Population
(2017)
• Total5,385
• Density26,732/sq mi (10,321/km2)
Websitehttps://washington.org/dc-neighborhoods/u-street
Map

TheU Street CorridororGreater U Street,sometimes known asCardozo/Shaw,is aneighborhoodinWashington, D.C.,located inNorthwest D.C.Centered along U Street, the neighborhood is one of Washington's most popularnightlifeandentertainment districts,as well as one of the most significantAfrican American heritage districtsin the country.[1]

The area was largely built after theU.S. Civil Warand with the arrival of theWashington streetcar systemin the 1880s, the neighborhood development boomed. By 1920, the neighborhood was predominantlyAfrican-Americanand flourished as the "Black Broadway", the heart ofAfrican-American culturein Washington.[2][1]The area declined for a period following the1968 Washington riots,but recovered following the 1991 opening of theU Street stationof theWashington Metro.Since the 2000s, the area has been subject to significanturban redevelopmentandgentrification.[3]

History

[edit]
Main article:History of Washington, D.C.

19th century

[edit]
View of 19th-centuryVictorianrowhomes on Wallach Place.

U Street is a largelyVictorian-eraneighborhood, developed between 1862 and 1900, the majority of which has been designated as the Greater U Streethistoric district.

At the time of the Civil War, the area was woods and open fields. The Union command chose this area for military encampments including Camp Barker near 13th and R streets and others in what is now the Shaw neighborhood proper. The encampments were safe havens for freed slaves fleeing the South, and thus the area became a popular one for African Americans to settle.[4]

After the war, horse-drawnstreetcar linesopened, running north from downtown Washington along 7th, 9th and 14th streets,[5]making the area an easily accessible place to live. The lines were later turned intocable cars.Both blacks and whites lived here, gradually shifting to a predominantly African American population between 1900 and 1920.[4]The area's oldest buildings areItalianate,Second EmpireandQueen Anne-stylerow housesbuilt rapidly by speculative developers in response to the city's high demand for housing with the post-Civil War growth of thefederal government.

Early 20th century

[edit]
Bohemian Cavernshosted acts likeDuke EllingtonandMiles Davis.

Until the 1920s, when it was overtaken byHarlem,the U Street Corridor was home to the nation'slargest urban African American community.[6]The area was home to theIndustrial Bank,the city's oldest African American-owned bank,[7]and to hundreds of black-owned and black-friendly businesses, churches, theaters, gyms, and other community spaces. Natives of the area included jazz musicianDuke Ellington,opera singerLillian Evanti,surgeonCharles R. Drew,and law professorCharles Hamilton Houston.[7]

In its cultural heyday – roughly consisting of the years between 1900 and the early 1960s[7]– the U Street Corridor was known as "Black Broadway", a phrase coined by singerPearl Bailey.[8]Performers who played the local clubs of the era includedCab Calloway,Louis Armstrong,Miles Davis,Sarah Vaughan,Billie Holiday,andJelly Roll Morton,among many others.[9]

Thurgood Marshall Center

DuringProhibition,U Street was also home to many of the capital's 2,000-3,000speakeasies,which some historians credit for helping integrate a city long divided between black and white.[10]

From 1911 to 1963, the west end of the U Street neighborhood was anchored byGriffith Stadium,home of the District'sbaseballteam, theWashington Senators.TheLincoln Theatreopened in 1921, andHoward Theatrein 1926.[11]Duke Ellington's childhood home was located on 13th street between T and S Streets.

TheGreen Book,a travel guide for black travelers (1933–1963) listed many sites along U Street NW by Green Book Travelers.[12]

Late 20th century

[edit]
The Reeves Center, built in 1986.

While the area remained aculturalcenter for theAfrican Americancommunity through the 1960s, the neighborhood began to decline following theassassination of Martin Luther King Jr.on 4 April 1968. The intersection of14th Streetand U Street was the epicenter of violence, 13 deaths and damage to 1,200 homes and businesses during the1968 Washington, D.C. riots,which rampaged for four days after King's murder.[13]Following the riots, and the subsequentflightof affluent residents and businesses from the area, the corridor became blighted.[14]Drug traffickingrose dramatically in the mid-1970s, when the intersection of 14th and U Streets was an area of drug trafficking in Washington, D.C.[15]

TheAfrican American Civil War Memorial,dedicated in 1991.

Following the economic downturn the area faced following the 1968 riots, the community and DC government launched numerous redevelopment efforts, such as the construction of the Reeves Center in 1986, the opening of theU Street stationin 1991, and the 1998Department of Housing and Urban Developmentgrants funding "Remembering U Street" signage marking 15 historic properties and as façade improvements to 150 dilapidated storefronts on U and 14th streets[16]

In the 1990s, revitalization ofAdams Morganand laterLogan Circlebegan. More than 2,000 luxury condominiums and apartments were constructed between 1997 and 2007. As the area improved and became more attractive Washingtonians of all races and ethnicities, and of higher incomes and wealth, to live there, the ethnic mix of the neighborhood changed dramatically: in 2000 it was roughly 20% white and 60% black; while by 2010 that had reversed and the it was roughly 60% white and 20% black.

21st century

[edit]

Redevelopment continued further into the 2000s and 2010s,[14]along with rising concerns aboutgentrification.[17]

Since 2013 numerous largemixed useresidential buildings with retail on the ground floor have been built into the corridor.[18]This represents a significant population increase versus the population of 4,572 registered in the 2010 census.

In 2011, U Street NW was designated a Great Street among Great Places in America by theAmerican Planning Association.It is said to have been selected for in recognition of the street return to its grandeur after several decades of difficulties. Once again, the street hosts the arts, food, and businesses. The community works to embrace its historical significance for the African American community of Washington, D.C. during segregation.[19]

On January 4, 2021, the book "Black Broadway" by DC author and journalist Briana A. Thomas was published by The History Press[20]Thomas narrates U Street's rich and unique history, from the early triumph of emancipation to the days of civil rights pioneer Mary Church Terrell and music giant Duke Ellington, through the recent struggles of gentrification.

Geography

[edit]
Historic architecture U St & 16th St.

The U Street Corridor is bounded by:

In addition to U Street itself, the intersecting14th Streetis a major retail, dining, and entertainment corridor. Retailers located on 14th near U includeRoom and Board,West Elm, andLululemon.

Name

[edit]

The area is often referred to as the U Street Corridor,[1][2]and has been known by other names:

  • Part ofShaw:The 1966Shaw School Urban Renewal Areaplan covered the neighborhood now commonly known asShaw,but also the U Street Corridor,Logan Circle,that for decades were also considered part of Shaw.[21][22]
  • Cardozo:in the 1990s the U Street Corridor was often referred to as Cardozo/Shaw,[22]a name that the DC planning department still uses.[23][24]Google Maps labels the neighborhoodCardozo.In both cases this is defined as a neighborhood separate from the Shaw neighborhood proper. TheCardozo Education Campusis located adjacent to the U Street Corridor but is actually inColumbia Heightsneighborhood.

Demographics

[edit]
TheTrue Reformer Building

Figures are for Census tract 44 through 2017, which was split into tracts 44.01 (north of U Street) and 44.02 (south of U street) as of the 2020 census.[25]

Demographic 2020 census 2010 census 2000 census 1990 census 1980 census
Total pop. 6,185 4,572 2,450 2,951 3,598
Children (under 18) 6.8% 27%
Seniors (65+) 4.8% 8.6%
Citizen (of over 18 pop.)
NH White 63.3% 60.8% 22% 8.7%
NH Black 13.4% 21.5% 58% 77%
Asian & Pacific Islander 6.8% 1.7% 1.6%
Asian 8.3% (NH)
Pacific Islander & Native Hawaiian 0.05% (NH)
Some other race 0.53% (NH)
Two or more races 5.2% (NH) 2.7%
Hispanic 9.2% 9.1% 17% 12%

NH = non-Hispanic, NHPI = does not include Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders

TheSouthern Aid Society–Dunbar Theater Building,built in 1921.

Census tract 44 was bounded by 14th, S, and 7th streets and Florida Av. NW, thus including the entire U Street Corridor plus four blocks east of 9th St. NW. As of 2020, it was divided into tracts 44.01 and 44.02 along U Street. This area counted a population of 5,385 in the more than double the 1990 population. The official census count was 4,572 in 2010, an 87% increase from only 2,450 in 2000, thus reversing the trend of a decreasing population from 2,951 in 1990 and 3,598 in 1980.

The racial change in the tract's population has been dramatic; non-Hispanic Black residents who were once the dominant group in the area, were only 13% of the population in 2020, down from 22% in 2010, and sharply down from 58% in 2000 and 77% in 1990; corresponding to an increase in whites and Asians: the white non-Hispanic population was 63% in 2020, 61% in 2010, 22% in 2000, 8.7% in 1990. The Asian/Pacific Islander population was 8.3%, a continued increase from 6.8% in 2010, and much higher than 1.7% in 2000 and 1.6% in 1990. The Hispanic population was 9.2% in 2020, relatively stable vs. 9.1% in 2010, but down from 17% in 2000 and 12% in 1990.[26]

Community Changeheadquarters

The 2017American Community Survey[3]showed 6.8% of the area's residents were children in 2010, sharply down from 27% in 1990. Seniors also showed a decline at 4.8% in 2010, down from 8.6% in 1990. The foreign-born population was 18% in 2011–15, up from only 2.3% in 1980.[26]

The per capita income in 2017 was est. $110,175 ±$10,961, more than double the average in D.C. ($50,832 ±$645); the Median household income was est. $166,071, more than$166,071, more than double the D.C. average of $77,649.[3]

Landmarks

[edit]
Greater U Street Historic District
LocationBoundary map
Architectural styleVarious (approximately 1580contributing properties)[28]
NRHP referenceNo.98001557[27]
Added to NRHPDecember 31, 1998

The neighborhood's landmark buildings are nearly all the works of prominent early 20th century African American architects, including:[29]

Other landmarks include:

Culture

[edit]
TheFunk Paradeis held annually on U Street, since 2013.

U Street has long been a center ofWashington's music scene,with theLincoln Theatre(1922),Howard Theatre,Bohemian Caverns(1926), and other clubs like on 9th Street at Harrington's, and Chez Maurice Restaurants and historicjazzvenues. The9:30 Club,theBlack Cat,DC9,U Street Music Hall,and the Velvet Lounge musical venues are located on the corridor.[33]

U Street also hosts the annualFunk Parade,a festival and celebration of funk music, community arts, and creativity. Public art,street artorgraffitiand murals can be found on almost every corner along U Street.

Transportation

[edit]

The Corridor is served by theU Street stationof theWashington Metro(subway), with service on theGreen Line.WMATAbuses run along both U and 14th streets, and theDC CirculatorWoodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square line stops at 14th and U.Capital Bikeshareand variousscooter-sharing systemshave stations/vehicles in the area.

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^abc"10 Things to See & Do On U Street".Washington.org.March 21, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 23,2019.
  2. ^abJones, Erica."A Look Back at DC's 'Black Broadway'".NBC New York.RetrievedFebruary 23,2019.
  3. ^abc"Census profile: Census Tract 44, District of Columbia, DC".Census Reporter.
  4. ^abWilliams, Paul K. (2001).City within a City: Greater U Street Heritage Trail.Cultural Tourism DC.RetrievedFebruary 27,2019.
  5. ^1888 U.S. Geological Service maps
  6. ^"U Street/Shaw".culturaltourismdc.org.RetrievedFebruary 23,2019.
  7. ^abcThomas, Briana (February 12, 2017)."The Forgotten History of U Street".Washingtonian.Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2018.
  8. ^Duke Ellington's Jazz Tour,Site Seeing Tours
  9. ^Wiltz, Teresa (March 5, 2006)."U Turn".The Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2018.
  10. ^Geiling, Natasha (May 31, 2014)."Grab a Drink, on the Sly, at One of D.C.'s Former Speakeasies".Smithsonian.RetrievedApril 4,2018.
  11. ^Kaiser, Robert G. (April 22, 2004). "A City of Splendid Spaces, Great Events; 4 Landmarks Offer Washingtonians Gateways to a Capital Adventure".The Washington Post.
  12. ^"Historypin".Historypin.RetrievedFebruary 23,2019.
  13. ^Kaplan, Sarah (August 27, 2014)."Recording 'Black Broadway': A U Street oral history project aims to capture what once was".The Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2016.
  14. ^abSteve Inskeep(April 8, 2008)."U Street Corridor: Tracing a D.C. Neighborhood's Comeback from 1968".NPR.Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2018.
  15. ^Lusane, ClarencePipe Dream Blues: Racism and the War on DrugsSouth End Press, Boston 1991,ISBN0-89608-410-8
  16. ^Kreyling, Christine. "Something Old, Something New,"Planning;August/September 2006, Vol. 72 Issue 8, p34-39, 6p. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
  17. ^Hyra, Derek (June 12, 2017)."Selling a Black D.C. Neighborhood to White Millennials".Next City.Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2018.
  18. ^"The Difference A Decade Makes: Images Show Rapid Growth Of 7 D.C. Neighborhoods".Bisnow.
  19. ^"2011 Great Places in America".American Planning Association.
  20. ^Thomas, Briana A. (January 4, 2021)."Black Broadway in Washington, DC".www.arcadiapublishing.com.Arcadia Publishing.ISBN9781467139298.Archivedfrom the original on December 3, 2020.RetrievedJune 1,2023.
  21. ^Levey, Jane Freundel; Williams, Paul K. (2006).Midcity at the Crossroads: Shaw Heritage Trail.Cultural Tourism DC.RetrievedMarch 3,2019.
  22. ^ab"Building a Block of Prosperity in Shaw".March 20, 2000 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  23. ^"Chapter 20 Mid-City Area Element"(PDF).dc.gov.April 8, 2011.Archived(PDF)from the original on April 20, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 25,2023.
  24. ^"DRAFT DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR A CULTURAL DESTINATION DISTRICT WITHIN WASHINGTON, DC'S GREATER SHAW / U STREET"(PDF).dc.gov.September 2004.Archived(PDF)from the original on August 11, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 25,2023.
  25. ^Census Tracts in D.C., D.C. government Open Data site
  26. ^ab"DC 2010 Tract Profile - Population - NeighborhoodInfo DC".www.neighborhoodinfodc.org.RetrievedFebruary 23,2019.
  27. ^"National Register Information System".National Register of Historic Places.National Park Service.March 13, 2009.
  28. ^"District of Columbia - Inventory of Historic Sites"(PDF).District of Columbia: Office of Planning.Government of the District of Columbia. September 1, 2004. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 17, 2009.RetrievedAugust 8,2009.
  29. ^"2011 Great Places in America".U Street NW, Washington, D.C.American Planning Association. Archived fromthe originalon March 15, 2012.
  30. ^"About Us – Ben's Chili Bowl".benschilibowl.com.RetrievedDecember 1,2016.
  31. ^abAfrican American Heritage Trail.Cultural Tourism DC. 2003.RetrievedFebruary 27,2019.
  32. ^Smith, Kathryn S. (January 1, 1997). "Remembering U Street".Washington History.9(2): 28–53.JSTOR40073294.
  33. ^"Music".The Washington Post.Archived fromthe originalon November 9, 2012.
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