2513 I STREET NW
Year Built
1925
History
This two family brick house was built by Spink Construction Company in 1925, $10,200, (Evening Star, Sept. 26, 1925, p. 18). It has two front entry doors (both stairways and with transom windows). At one time, the house was divided into rental units and both doors were needed to gain access, but it is currently a single family house. It is two stories with a metal roof over a large wooden bay window.
In 1966, architect Melita Rodeck and builder Jerry Fitzgerald renovated the house. Rodeck was known for restoring 801 25th St. and designing Queen Anne's Lane, as well as many other projects in the city. She added a bay window to complement the one next door at 2511 I St., and balanced it with Federal entrances and iron steps.
In 1894, the original dwelling was cited by inspectors and owner Catherine Wallace made repairs. (Wash. Post, Apr. 4, 1894, p. 12). In 1912, the dwelling is listed as having six rooms and a bathroom, listed as a rental for Colored tenants, $20.50 a month (Evening Star, Sept. 10, p. 14). In 1937, a colored boy places an ad the Evening Star for an orderly, house worker or butler (April 3, p. 30)
Resident/Owner
1856 - Ann Boylan, widow of Michael Boylan, and Catharine Boylan, dressmaker (City Directory) In 1894 - Catherine or Katherine Wallace, the sister of Ann, dies in 1901 at age 87 (Evening Star, Feb.12, 1901, p. 2). A Richard Wallace dies at age 33 (Evening Star, July 21, 1921, p. 8).
1881 - Edward Donahoe and late wife, Margaret. Their child, Mary Donahoe, age three, dies. Funeral at residence. (Evening Star, Sept. 6. 1881, p. 3) Ann Boylan dies at age 80 in 1921 (Evening Star, July 16, 1920, p. 8)
1908 - Lawrence Hurley, printer (City Directory). In 1909, the niece of Catherine Hurley. age 17, who resides at dwelling makes headlines for almost making an escape to NYC to become an actress (Wash. Post, April 4, 1909, p.19)
1912 - Joseph Boylan, plasterer (City Directory) , See 1856 entry with same last name.
1921 - (? initials only on adults/laborer), Emily Hill, age 6, b. 1913, DC and Gertrude Jackson, age 6, b. 1915, DC
1925 - Frances W. Clements, purchases the estate of Ann Boylan for $1,000. (Evening Star, May 23, 1925, p. 36, under Legal Notices)
1935 - Emma Ward, William N. Ward, Jr. and Edward Beuchert deed transfer, May 1st.
Recollections
Source Material
Boyds City Directory, 1914
EHT Traceries, historic area house survey, 1983
FBA History Project, "Rows with Spacious Front Gardens." Clio: Your Guide to History. https://theclio.com/tour/2098/10
"Newest Foggy Bottom Restoration," Foggy Bottom News, April 1966
Sumner School Archives, Briggs School student register, 1921-22
Street view, one set of steps (D. Vogt, May 2022)
Street view (D. Vogt, May 2022)
"Newest Foggy Bottom Restoration," Foggy Bottom News, April 1966 - Melita Rodeck, architect