2528 I STREET NW
Year Built
1911
History
The south side of the 2500 block of I Street features nine row houses built in 1911 (2512-2528 I Street). Even though these houses have more land than others in the neighborhood, they were built as low-cost housing for working people. The largest group of houses have set backs from the street that allow for a variety of terraced landscaping.
Nos. 2520-2528 were designed by Washington architect N.R. Grimm and built by Charles W. King, Jr. These houses are slightly wider and have slightly more ornate brickwork than Nos. 2512-2518. No. 2528 has a recessed front entry area and transom over the front door. It shares a dentilled cornice with No. 2526.
Resident/Owner
1914- Henry A Johnson and Mrs. Hattie Goffney
1963-2015 - Ellie Becker - a long-time Foggy Bottom activist, FBA President, FB News editor 1984 to 2004, and frequent correspondent with GWU President Stephen Trachtenberg.
2016 - rental
Recollections
Ellie Becker used to write, copy and hand-deliver issues of the Foggy Bottom newsletter, bake two roasts a week for the nearby Fire Station and had a vast collection of stuffed penguins in her house. Denise Vogt, 12/2022
Ellie Becker regularly volunteered at the nearby School Without Walls. At her bequest, she set up a Scholarship Fund for SWW students. Also a majority of her extensive stuffed penguin collection is on display at the school. The Ellie Becker Education Award set up in 2019 is available for training of the West End Library branch staff.
Source Material
Boyds City Directory, 1014
EHT Traceries photo, Nov 1983
School Without Walls website, 2025
DCPL West End Public Library Friends (WELF), website, 2025
Street view (D. Vogt, May 2022)
2528 to 2532 I Street, with Watergate in the background, Nov 1983 (EHT Traceries)
Ellie Becker in photo #3, FBNews, Nov. 2011