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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.

RESIDENT(S)/ OWNER(S)

1856 - Ann Boylan, widow of Michael Boylan, and Catharine Boylan, dressmaker lived at this address (City Directory). Ann Boylan dies at age 80 in 1921 (Evening Star, July 16, 1920, 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)
1894 - The original dwelling was cited by inspectors and owner Catherine Wallace made repairs. (Wash. Post, Apr. 4, 1894, p. 12).
1900 - Ann and Mary (sewing) Boylan (census)
1901 - [C]atherine Wallace (sister of Ann Boylan), dies in 1901 at age 87; she was born in Ireland and was "among the oldest residents of Washington," serving important families on Lafayette Square and elsewhere (Evening Star, Feb. 17, 1901, p. 2 and Feb. 12, 1901, p. 2). (See article in Documents section.)
1908 - Lawrence Hurley, printer (City Directory). In 1909, 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) (See articles in document section)
1912 - Joseph Boylan, plasterer (City Directory)
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).
1913 - Resident posts want ad seeking janitor position (Wash Post Oct. 17, 1913, p. 12)
1921 - Richard Wallace dies at age 33 (Evening Star, July 21, 1921, p. 8).
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 lot from the estate of Ann Boylan for $1,000. (Evening Star, May 23, 1925, p. 36, under Legal Notices)
1935 - Emma Ward and William N. Ward, Jr. transfer property to Edward Beuchert, May 1st. (Deed)
1937 - A "boy, colored" places an ad the Evening Star offering services as an orderly, house worker or butler (April 3, p. 30)

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

GALLERY

DOCUMENTS

Click on the download button to the right of the document title to view the document, if available.

News article, new renovations to 2511 and 2513, Melita Rodeck architect, FBNews April 1964

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