828 25TH STREET NW
Year Built
1884
History
On the west side of 25th St. (Nos. 822-828) are four relatively plain individual buildings with varying roof heights and greater depth than the houses across the street. Nos. 824-828 were built in 1886 by John Scanlon, a prosperous saloon keeper.
No. 828 is a two and a half story, two bay brick row house. Its most outstanding feature is a cornice of elaborate brickwork with a drop corbel motif.
Resident/Owner
1884 - House built by owner, John Scanlon. The house was listed as having four rooms. It was advertised by Wescott & Wilcox real estate brokers for $12.50 a month (Evening Star, May 31, 1884, p. 4).
1896 - The house was listed for rent for $15.30 by realtor Charles W. Handy (Evening Star, July 24, 1896, p.4).
1901 - Trustees Michael J. Colbert and Loring Williamson sell the house to M. V. Connolly for $950. (Evening Star, Mar. 16, 1901, p. 28)
1910 - Resident places a Wanted ad for a "Cook - by White Woman" (Evening Star, May 14, 1910, p. 14). On May 20th, an ad is placed for an individual offering services for general housework. (Wash. Post, May 20, 1910, p. 13).
1917 - Infant Alphonso Hall, a colored baby dies 19 hours after birth. (Wash. Herald, Apr. 19, 1917, p.12)
1935 - Michael Connolly dies at age 68. (Evening Star, Sep. 7, 1935, p. 7)
1937, Maria/Mary Connolly, the wife of Michael Connolly dies. (Wash. Post, Aug.7, 1937, p.16)
1940 - Two colored southern women post ad wishing for work as maids and "mother's helper," with Virginia references and doctor's certificate. (Evening Star, May 12, 1940, p. 61). In June, another ad for work appears for a southern colored girl interested in position for general house work, noting she can stay nights. (Evening Star, June 2, 1940, p. 61).
1941 - A colored man who described himself as a cement finisher, placed a wanted ad under the heading "Situations Men" for work of any kind. (Evening Star, Apr. 27, 1941, p. 59)
1963 - Dorothy Z. Brewer. In 1978, Brewer, a retired naval commander at age 68, tripped on a carpet and fell down the stairs in the house. She suffered many injuries. The next day, neighbors heard her dog barking and noticed her mail and the newspaper had not been taken in. They summoned the police. The police broke the front door to enter and rescued her. (Wash. Post. Sept. 7, 1978, p. C7) (See article in Documents section)
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
Foggy Bottom News, June 1963, member directory
EHT Traceries, historic area house survey, 1983
The view of facade and trim work above the top windows. (D. Vogt, May 2022)
The front side retaining wall and wooden gate next to house. (D. Vogt, May 2022)
The views of the rows prior to renovations in the 1950s. (Vintage)
A side view of house and brick retaining wall (D. Vogt, Dec. 2022)
A sidewalk view of the house and front entry. (D. Vogt, Dec. 2022)