811 25TH STREET 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. No. 811 is a two story, three bay brick row house with a mansard roof and dormer windows. It is similar in appearance to No. 805, although its first floor windows are separated.
No. 811 displays part of artist Dalya Luttwak's sculpture, "Five Tap Roots." Ms. Luttwak's metal sculptures reveal what plant nature prefers and needs to conceal, its roots. At the time of the Arts in Foggy Bottom exhibition, the installation included several yellow root like sculptures of varying sizes.
Resident/Owner
1886 - A funeral service is held at the residence by the brother of Ellen Farrell who died at age 25. (Evening Star, Sept. 10, 1886, p. 3)
1890 - House was advertised for rent for at $15 (The Critic and Record, Dec. 31, 1890, p. 3).
1893 - John O'Conner, laborer and Thomas O'Conner, tinner (City Directory, 1893)
1895 - The four room house is listed for rent for $10.30 (Evening Star, Feb 1. 1895, p. 4). In 1897, it was listed for rent for $10.50. ( Wash. Post, Feb. 20, 1897, p. 5).
1902 - Colored woman posts a work wanted ad. - "First-class cook or work in a small family by reliable colored woman." (Wash. Post, May 25, 1902, p. 27)
1906 - Lucy Ford, age 24, dies (Wash. Post, June 26, p. 9)
1906 - Ad placed by resident for a lost dog. The dog is described as a female hound with warts between its toes on the front foot. Reward offered. (Wash. Post, Sept. 15, 1906, p. 7)
1907 - Susie Turner places an ad in the Wanted listings offering services as a "plain cook for a small family." (Evening Star, Oct. 16, 1907, p. 18)
1911 - In January, an ad appears wanting work as a seamstress to do work at home. (Wash. Post, Jan 28, 1911, p. 12). A girl searching for work as a cook or for housework or laundry for a small family ad is placed. (Wash. Post, Feb. 27, 1911, p. 10).
1913 - Mrs. Eliza Mills, dressmaker and George Mills, laborer (City Directory)
1914 - Baby Lincoln Gross dies at age 1 (Wash. Post., June 5, 1914, p. 14)
1921 - Edward Carted, 35 year-old colored man was one of the drivers involved in serious car accident. (Wash. Post., Dec. 28, 1921, p. 3)
1921 - Mrs. Susie Haynes (colored), 26, jumps from the second floor rear window to avoid arrest for disorderly conduct. She is taken to hospital in serious condition. (Wash. Herald, Nov. 25, 1921, p. 8) (See article in Document section)
1925 - Ad offers for sale "Horse, wagon and harness." (Evening Star, Mar. 16, 1925, p. 34)
1929 - Curtis Askew of Briggs (Elementary School) playground (22nd & E Sts.) enters the newspaper's segregated wood-crafting contest (in the division for black children) (Wash. Daily News, Nov. 19, p.8)
1934 - Mary Ellien Brown dies at April 12th. (Evening Star, Apr. 15, 1934, p. 7)
1938 - John Young, colored, age 28, arrested for possessing lottery slips and writing numbers for the Warring Brothers. The Warring Brothers were an infamous Foggy Bottom numbers running gang. ( Evening Star, July 31, 1938, p. 13) (see article in Document section)
1943 - Dorothy M. Frazier, age 5, dies (Evening Star, Aug. 10, 1943, p. 24)
1948 - Frank Neal Frazier dies at home on February 11. He is the son of Neal and Mary E. Frazier. (Evening Star, Feb. 15, 1948, p. 10)
1948 - The executor of the estate of John McKee sells the house to Marie L. Tueson, June 17. (Deed transfer)
1949 - The house is listed for sale with "4 lovely large rooms" in the colored section Evening Star asking for $200 as a down payment (Evening Star, Jan. 27, 1949, p. 55).
1953 - Alberta A. Douglass, wife of Thomas James Douglass, dies at home. (Evening Star, Sept. 9, 1953, image p. 16)
1961 - Earl M. Lewis (born 1919 in McComb, MS) is listed in the American Political Science Association's Bibliographical Directory on page 148.
1963 - Marian and Patricia Peterson
1989 - The house address was mentioned in The Animal Rights Agenda, Vol. 9,page 12.
--- Michael J. Evans, composer. He began his musical studies at age 10. He moved to Washington, DC in 1986. For several years, he has created musical compositions to enhanced the artwork in the neighborhood's 'Arts in Foggy Bottom' biannual sculpture exposition.
Recollections
"Mike has a friendly word for all who pass by, He loves birds. And for the dogs, he collects small sticks for them and keeps within easy reach in a tin canister by his front steps." (Denise Vogt, Jan. 2025)
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
Foggy Bottom News, June 1963, member list
EHT Traceries, historic area house survey, 1983
A sidewalk view of house and low retaining wall. (D. Vogt, May 2022)
A view of 25th and H Sts. The parking lot was demolished to make room for the Plaza Condominium wich was completed in 1975. (FB News, 1966)
Resident Mike Evans (left) receives award for his contribution of original musical work to enhance the Arts in Foggy Bottom tours. FBA President John George (right) (D. Vogt, Dec. 2022)