2426 I STREET NW
Year Built
1880
History
2426 I Street is unusual because it is the only house in the Historic District that has a brownstone facing (instead of brick). It is a house with good proportions, narrow windows on are paired over the door and three at each round bay. There is a large garden in the backyard. From 1894 to 1946, records show the dwelling served as a funeral home for at least four different undertakers.
It was built in 1880 as a residence, but by 1894, it was operated as a funeral home by undertaker Phillip Barbour. In 1903 fire fighter, John McDonough, was called to the house, at the time a store, to extinguish a gasoline stove explosion, (Evening Star, June 24, 1903, p. 3).
In August 1905, owner James Dorsey dies. His Will, filed Aug 9th, states "household effects to be divided among his four daughters: Annie, Ellen, Mary and Katie." The house is to be sold. HIs widow is given a cash allowance for a dower and one-third of the proceeds of the personal estate, exclusive of the household furniture. "The residue of the proceeds of the entire estate is to be divided among the eight children of Mr. Dorsey." Daniel W. O'Donoghue is named executor and guardian for the minor children of James. (Evening Star, Sept. 1, 1905, p. 16) "Baby" Irene Dorsey dies Nov. 26th, daughter, (age 2 1/2 years) of James Dorsey and Catherine, his second wife). "Funeral from her late home, " (Evening Star, Nov. 27, 1905, p. 5). Margaret (Mary, first wife) dies Aug. 5, 1890 and funeral at the house . (Critic and Record, Aug. 7, 1890, p. 3) In 1906, the house is sold to Michael Dorsey for $2,700. (Evening Star, June 28, 1906, p. 3)
1n 1920, The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad free labor bureau uses this address. An ad is placed in the Evening Star for "100 white and "colored" laborers, track, roundhouse work: good board, quarters. Apply at once at 2426 I Street, NW." (Evening Star, Apr. 20, 1920, p. 25). In 1923, the same address is used in an ad for "50 colored laborers wanted for New Brunswick, N.J." for the the Patriotic and Protective Society. (Times Herald, May 15, 1923, p. 28)
Resident/Owner
1881 - Dorsey family, James, Helen, Mary and Michael. Michael, stone cutter, City Directory.
1890 - John Garley, (injured in serious elevator accident at 26th and G Sts, (Evening Star, Feb 15, 1980, p.5)
1894 - Phillip Barbour, undertaker, City Directory
1908 - Paul Posner, plays on local baseball team (Washington Herald, May 29, 1908, p.8)
1910 - Morris Dubb, tailor; City Directory
1914 - Jas Stevens
1924 - James E. Shea lists an ad to rent property as a store and dwelling for $32.00/mth. (Evening Star, Feb. 13, 1924, p.33)
1925 - dwelling is home to W.T. Moten funeral parlor (Evening Star, Dec. 10, 1925, p. 7)
1928 - dwelling is home to F. M. Smith funeral parlor (Evening Star, Aug. 28, 1928, p.9). In September an ad was placed to sell a Ford coach vehicle located at the rear of this property. This Model A chassis was commonly customized for hearses and ambulances.
1930 - Frank M. Smith, undertaker, Smith's Undertaking Parlor (Evening Star, Mar. 16, 1931, p.9)
1940 - William T. Moten, funeral director, (City Directory)
1941 - James H Lowe, undertaker, J.H. Lowe's funeral home (Evening Star, June 15, 1941, p. 14). Mr. Lowe, a "colored" undertaker "was robbed of $30. ... "He suffered a head injury when he was "yoked" by two me he picked up when they approached his care at a traffic light and asked for a ride to Baltimore." (Evening Star, June 4, 1946, p. 16)
1960 -Susie E. Roberts, house has telephone (City Directory)
1963 - Mr. and Mrs. G. Etzel Pearcy
1970 - Warren Sharfman, (City Directory)
1997 - 2021 - Patrick Cody, often hosted art work from biannual "Arts in Foggy Bottom" Exhibition
- Jeffrey Smith, Music Director at St. Paul's Parish on K St for 17 years. Has doctorate degree from Yale University, a fellow of the American Guild of Organists.
2021 - renters
Recollections
Jeffrey frequently passed my house (2417 I St) dressed in a business suit. At the time, this seemed odd because it was during Covid (2000-) and others were dressed casually. My recollection was he said he was going to a funeral. It was only later I realized he played the organ at the nearby parish and so his presence was required for a variety of parish services, including funerals, and he dressed for the occasion. (D. Vogt, 2025)
Source Material
FBA History Project, Foggy Bottom Historic District Walking Tour, "The Center of the Historic District" https://theclio.com/tour/2098/11
EHT Traceries 11/1983 historic building study
Boyds City Directory, 1914
Foggy Bottom News, June 1963, member directory
The front view with low stone retaining wall and brick entry path. (D. Vogt, May 2022)
A side view of the house. (D.Vogt, May 2022)
Rear view (Bright MLS, July 2022)
2400 I St block party (Fall 1981)