2407 I STREET NW

Year Built

1909

Click photo below to see full sized image.

D. Vogt, 2022

Documents

History

Nos. 2407-2411 have typical flat-fronts and simple ornamentation, but are distinguished by wide stone lintels accenting the windows and corbelled brick that decorates the dentilled cornices. They are two-stories high and three-bays wide with a flat façade. They are brick in a Flemish bond pattern.

In April 1906, lots 2407 and 2409 I Street, "valuable improved real estate" were auctioned by Thomas J. Owen and Son Auctioneers (Wash. Post, Apr. 19, 1908, p.9 and Evening Star. Apr 16, 1908, p. 19). This row was designed in 1909 by A.H. Beers for builder Simon Oppenheimer. A Building permit was initially issued for four buildings: 2407, 2407 1/2, 2409 and 2411. One is now demolished and buildings renumbered. (EHT Traceries note.)

In May 1909, the renters in 2407-11 I Street were all African Americans: Charles Harper, a rigger for a granite company, William J. Davis, a messenger for the War Department; William T. Nolan, a serviceman at an auto supply store; and Jesse White, a cook in a lunch room. All of them had other members of the household who worked as well -- children, lodgers, a sister-in-law (A. Hoagland)

In June 1966, the house and garden was viewed by many of FB's first house and Garden tour.

Resident/Owner

1860 - George (John T.) Harris, (colored) hairdresser in Georgetown at 529 17th St. West (house address was 94 I St. North) and John Lang, restaurant worker, Georgetown (house address was 96 I St. North) (City Directory)
1880 - William Henderson, laborer, (City Directory)
1880 - Mary Callahan, widow, late husband's name was Patrick (City Directory)
1890 - Thomas G. Gray (White, age 34, b. Scotland, laborer) and wife Margaret (age 29, Irish) (City Directory)
1900 - Albert Harris, (Black, b. 1844 VA), day laborer, and Rosie, wife (Black) (Census)
Sadie E. Byrd, cook (City Directory)
1910 - at 2407 1/2 I St - Howard Frisley (Black, age 35, b. VA) waiter in restaurant and wife Nora (Black, age 31) (Census)
1914 - 2407 Charles Young
1914 - 2407 1/2 William A Jackson and George Whitfield
1920 - Jesse White, (Black, age 39, b. Maryland) chef and wife, Etta, (age 24, b. Virginia) cook at lunchroom (Census)
1920 - at 2407 1/2 I St. - William T. Nolan, porter (City Directory), Eliza Taylor, domestic (City Directory)
1921 - 2407 1/2 Um Nole, mechanic and Vereta Noland, age 5, b. 1916, DC
1950 - Lloyd H. Dutch, head, age 64, church sexton, wife Rosetta T, age 66; lodgers Arthur L. James, 24, porter, Sears and Roebuck, Laura E. James, 23, and LaBonnie L. James (less than 1 year old) (all black) (Census)
Arthur later marries Angeline James (b. Aug. 6, 1877) who previously lived on 25th St. Her parents were "freed from slavery by Dr. William Pleasant of Richmond, Va." Her first marriage was to a Mr. Wellington of Maryland. She was an ordained missionary, along with friend, Kathleen Cecilia Turner, of "that little Baptist Church, at that time on the corner of 25th and Virginia Avenue--where the newest highrise is going up" (Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church). They both sang and played at various churches town. (Foggy Bottom News, "... and Five to Go" p. 3, Nov. 1972). As she aged, her nephew David McCane and his wife Bertha lived with Mrs. James. Angeline died Jan. 6, 1979 in Sibley Hospital. (Foggy Bottom News, Jan. 1979, p.2)
1950 - 2407 1/2 - Martha E. Price, age 52, housekeeper at another home, daughter Catherine E. Price, age 12; lodgers Claude Smith, age 28, and Hazel E. Smith, 22, cook at boarding school, Jesse Hayes, age 53, hod carrier for house construction company, and Mattie Hayes, 54, housework in other homes (all black; they come from D.C., Md., Va., West Va., N.C. and Ga.)(Census)
1958 - 1963+ 2407 Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Dutch
1966 - 2407 1/2 I St, William L. Simon
1983 - 2407 1/2 - Kenneth T. and J.A. Durham

Recollections

"Previous to moving in, 2407 and 2409 I St were joined together by putting an opening between the two houses on the landing of the staircase. It was sealed up when we moved in. I believe the Simon's, the previous owners, were in the movie business. They had a retractable movie screen in the living room. There was an empty lot next to our house. We remember playing volleyball in that lot. Then, they built the condominium that is there now. The big condominium next door housed an Egypt Trade office.
It was concerning when Egypt was in a conflict and there was a concern that it could be bombed. They added extra security and nothing ever happened. One of incidents that made living in FB interesting.
We painted the house a cream color when we lived there." Excerpt from email, K. Durham, 2/17/2023

"Yes, we lived in 2407 I Street and moved down to 909 26 St NW
Since the two houses were so close to each other we moved everything ourselves including a grandfather clock on the top of the car. I remember spending hours in the crawl space on my back putting up a vapor barrier. We also spent days, weeks pointing the grout on the front of the house and then painting it.
I have a photo of our dog sitting in the fountain in the backyard," Excerpt from email, K. Durham, 2/17/2023

Source Material

EHT Traceries historic building survey, 11/1983
Boyd's City Directory, 1914, 1920
Foggy Bottom News, June 1958
Foggy Bottom News, June 1963, member directory
Foggy Bottom News, "Foggy Bottom Readies for its House and Garden Tour June 5," May 1966
Foggy Bottom News, "... and Five to Go", p. 3, Nov. 1972
FBA History Project, "Working-Class Row Houses." Clio: Your Guide to History. https://theclio.com/tour/2098/3
FBA History Project, "The Historic District's Longest Row." Clio: Your Guide to History. https://theclio.com/tour/2098/18
The Row House in Washington DC: A History, UVA Press 2023, Alison Hoagland, p. 244.
Sumner School Archives, DC, Briggs School student register, 1921