D. Vogt, May 2022

803 25TH ST NW

YEAR BUILT:

1890

HISTORY

This group of houses (803-813 25th St.), built in 1890, differ from the relatively plain fronts of typical Foggy Bottom houses. As stated in the Historic District Nomination, the houses' "vernacular design elements" include "bellcast roofs, lancet windows, Flemish gables, and peaked lintels."

Neighborhood lore indicates that photographs of the houses were circulated in Germany to attract brewery workers. In fact, the houses were built five years before the Heurich Brewery arrived in Foggy Bottom, relocating from 20th St. (five blocks away), in 1895. But the "story book" houses could have appealed to German immigrants.

The houses were designed by architect Chas. E. Burden, and built by Frank N. Carver for Chas. Early and J.P. Jones. This team was also responsible for 801 25th Street, as well as 2433 H Street and 800-810 New Hampshire Avenue.

Nos. 803 and 813 generally match, with a vaulted intersecting gable creating the second floor and a mansard roof with fishscale shingles.

RESIDENT(S)/ OWNER(S)

1880 - John Wingfield, laborer (City Directory)
1887 - Stephen Reynolds (Black) worked at the gas house; he fell of a cart and it ran over him, breaking two ribs and causing serious injury (Eve. Star May 26, 1887)
1900 - Mary Page (Black, b. 1872 VA), laundress, daughter Catherine (b. 1885 DC), student, and son James (b. 1891 DC) (Census); also Elworth Grooms, laborer (City Directory)
1904 - William Carter (Black) was thrown from a delivery wagon and broke his arm; he was treated at Emergency Hospital (Wash. Post Jan. 19, 1904)
1906 - Vernie Howard - her infant child died (Eve. Star, Oct 16, 1906)
1910 - Mary, Catherine and Jason Page (see 1900 Census); William Carter, driver, Alice Tilman (b. 1865 DC), servant, widowed, son Solomon R. (b. 1883 DC), laborer, nephew Basil Powell (b. 1889 DC), laborer, lodger, Danial Anderson (b. 1877 VA), laborer (Census).
1920 - Joseph Johnson (b. 1872 VA), wife Ella (b. 1880 DC), cook, daughter Lottie Jackson (b. 1872 VA), laborer, cousin Leroy Mason (b. 1897 VA), machinist (Census).
1940 - John Scott (b. 1905 NC), elevator pusher, wife Carrie (b. 1905 NC), daughter Helen (b. 1930 DC), laborer, son John, (b. 1933 DC); lodger laborers Henry Strong (b. 1914 NC) and Walter Scott (b. 1897 NC) (Census)

RECOLLECTIONS

SOURCE MATERIAL

FBA History Project, Foggy Bottom Historic District Walking Tour, "Story Book Row and Foggy Bottom's "Octagon" House." https://theclio.com/tour/2098/12

EHT Traceries, historic area house survey, 1983