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.

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

1914 - 2407 Charles Young
1914 - 2407 1/2 William A Jackson and George Whitfield
1958 - 2407 Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Dutch
1966 - 407 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
Foggy Bottom News, June 1958
Foggy Bottom News, "Foggy Bottom Readies for its House and Garden Tour June 5," May 1966
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.