BuzzardPoint,DC:

ABriefHistoryofaBriefNeighborhood

HaydenM.Wetzel
November2014(revised)

Foreword

Thisshortstudyofthealmostforgotten(butsoontoberesurrected)areaofsouthwest
WashingtonDCknownasBuzzardPointgrewoutofalandmarknominationfortheBuzzard
PointPowerPlantresearchedandwrittenin2014onbehalfoftheSouthwestNeighborhood
Assembly.Therewasnodedicatedstudyofthehistoryofthiscuriousneighborhoodbeyond
itsveryearlyyears(afterwhichchroniclesofsouthwestWashingtonmovetothemore
northerlyparts),andIdecidedtocontinuetheworktofillthishole.Duetotheworksoriginin
thepowerplantthatpartofourstoryhasbeengivensomewhatdisproportionateattentionbut
Ihaveleftitthatwaytheinformationisinterestinganduseful.(Sectionsonthehistoryof
electricalpowergenerationinWashingtonandthedesign/constructioncompanyStone&
Websterhavebeenremovedherebutwillbefoundinthenominationonfilewiththecitys
HistoricPreservationOffice.)
ThesupportingmaterialusedinthisstudyhasbeendepositedwiththeHistoricalSociety
ofWashington.TheCapitolRiverfrontBIDandtheSouthwestNeighborhoodAssembly
generouslyunderwrotetheexpensesofprintingthisbooklet,andMr.BaubakBaghihelped
preparethemanuscript.Iofferthemmysincerethanks,asalsototheinstitutionslisted
below.

Illustrationsources:LibraryofCongress,PrintsandMapsDivision(LOC)HistoricalSocietyof
Washington,KipplingerLibrary(HSW)NationalDefenseUniversitylibrary,Special
Collections(NDU)NationalArchives,NationalCapitolPlanningCommission(NARA)author
(HMW)

HaydenM.Wetzel
November2014

TheVerySlightRiseandLaterDeclineoftheBuzzardPointNeighborhood

TheearliesthistoryofBuzzardPointhasbeenfrequentlychronicledandneedonlybe
1
summarizedhere.
ThatAmericanIndianscongregatedatthearea,asalongothernearby
waterways,wasshownbythediscoveryoftheirimplementsduringimprovementstothe
2
mouthoftheJamesCreekCanalin1866.
TheexplorerJohnSmithrecordedsightingthe
pointin1608.Thelandpassedfromitsfirstcolonialowner,GeorgeThompson(from1663)to
ThomasNotley(1671),andultimately(1770)toNotleyYoung(westofJamesCreek,known
3
asDuddingtonPasture
)andDanielCarroll(eastofthecreek),majorlandownersinthenew
FederalDistrict.
Withtheuniquegovernmentprivatedistributionofthenewlyplattedbuildinglotsinthe
District,MassachusettsmerchantJamesGreenleafandtwopartnersin1793purchased
about400lotsinsouthwestWashingtonfromYoungand20fromCarrollforhousing
development.Settinganexampleforother,hesitantspeculators,GeorgeWashingtonbought
fourlotsinsquare667,thesamesquareastodayspowerplant.
TheareaconsideredasBuzzardPointoriginallyextendedfrombothbanksofthe
confluenceofthePotomacandAnacostia(EasternBranch)RiversnorthwardtoNorM
4
Street.
ThesegregationofthelandwestofJamesCreekastheU.S.Arsenalremovedthat
portionfromthepopularconceptoftheneighborhood,andasthesouthernmostarea
deterioratedandlostitshousingstockthenamecametobeassociatedonlywiththebarren
areasouthofQStreet,whilethestillpopulatedcommunitynorthofQtendedtotakethe
namesofitslargerpublichousingprojects.HerewewillusethenameBuzzardPointonlyfor
theareaeastofFt.McNairandsouthofQ.TheneighboringterritoryeastofSouthCapitol
wasonlyvaguelyincludedinBuzzardPointandthatusuallyinplanningdocumentsthe
1946developmentplan,forexampleitbeingmoreusuallytiedtotheNavyYardbylocals.
Awordmustbesaidalsoregardingthememorablenameofthisarea.TurkeyBuzzard
PointmarkedthePointinamapofabout1673publishedbyAugustineHermanandmost
5
laterones
clearlyanindicationofitsfauna.AnEveningStararticleof1894referstothe
Pointasformanyyearstheroostofimmensemembersofthatblackandominousbird,from
6
whichthepointderivesitsname.
ThecorrectnameisBuzzardPoint,althoughithasalways
beenvariedasBuzzardsPointand(morecommonlyandimprobably)BuzzardsPoint.
Thispeculiarnamehasregularlyattracteduncomplimentaryattention,leadingtosatire
andoccasionalproposalstofindamoregenteelmoniker.OnnewsthatthePointwasbeing
calledGreenleafsPoint,anearlyresidentdeclared:Trulythenewnameismoregratefulto
theearandmorebecomingthislovelyscenewherewedthePotomacandtheAnacostia.
TheNationalParkandPlanningCommissionentertainedasimilarproposalinitsremakingof

AthoroughandconvenientaccountisthatofBrianKraft,
OldSouthwest
seealsoEveningStar,21Dec1901,p.
3230July1916,p.48.Thisreportistakenfromthesesourcesunlessotherwisereferenced.Formoredetailed
studies,seeEveningStar,17Apr1910,p.10Clark,
GreenleafandLaw...
andArnebeck,
ThroughaFieryTrial
.
2
EveningStar,20Dec1866,p.3.
3
DuddingtonwasthenameoftheearlierCarrollestate,whichcoveredmuchofsouthernCapitolHill.
4
See,forexample,suchareferenceinNat.Republican,13May1876,p.1.Thenewelementaryschool
(predecessortotheSyphaxSchool)onOStreetwasdescribedasbeingatBuzzardPoint(EveningStar,28Jan
1871,p.4).NCPPCplannersofthe192030sincludedallblockssouthofM.
5
Duhamel,AnalostonIslandEveningStar,3Dec1894,p.14.
6
EveningStar,3Feb1894,p.17.Nobuzzardsaretherenow(EveningStar,30July1916,p.48).EveningStar,
17Apr1910,p.20saysitwascalledBuckmansPointincolonialtimes,andanunnamed1803mapreproducedin
Kraft,
OldSouthwest
,showsthenameWindMillPointthereallothersuseBuzzardPoint.

theareain1932.
Apublishedsuggestionof2013(ThePoint)wasquicklyshotdownby
traditionalists.
8
JamesCreek,
descendinglazilyfromneartheCapitol,enteredtheRiverinawidemouth
exactlyatthePoint,bifurcatingthelandthere.ThesomewhatdistinctpointwestoftheCreek
wasforawhilecalledYoungsPointfromitsowner,NotleyYoung,andthenGreenleafs
Pointafteritsnextowner(nowmorecommonlyGreenleafPoint).Itisthisnamethat
appearedinthe1861BoschkemapandsubsequentBaistmaps.AftertheU.S.Arsenal
(todaysFt.McNair)tooktheentireareawestoftheCreekArsenalPointbecameanother
popularname.TheeasternpointremainedBuzzardPoint.
MercantileactivityaroundBuzzardPoint,envisionedbyWashingtonandplannedby
9
LEnfant,neveroccurred.Themanydocksoftheoriginalcityplan
werenotbuiltand
10
GreenleafsTwentyBuildings
satuncompletedandderelict.Aproblemwiththisplanwas
11
thattheareaswampyifnotpestilentialbecametooshallowforgoodharborage.
Inspite
ofrecurrentdredging,incomingshipsavoidedBuzzardPointastheyapproachedtheNavy
12
Yardintothetwentiethcentury.
InlandbuildinglotsatthePointsoldfor2or3cents/front
footin1800,whilespeculationdrovewaterfrontlotsashighas$8/frontfoot,butthissoon
droppedto1centand$12respectively.In1910sellingpriceofthesamelotsstoodat
13
almostthesame:4centsand90cents$2.
14
In1804thegovernmentsitedtheU.S.ArsenalatGreenleafsPoint,
removingallland
westofJamesCreekfromgeneralcommercialandresidentialuse.AFederalpenitentiary
wasconstructedwithinthegroundsin1831,leadingthelowareaatthemouthoftheCreek
(outsidetheArsenalarea)tobecalledPenitentiaryMarsh.Andfinally,themuddy,diffuse
JamesCreekwasstraightened,enclosedwithinstoneretainingwalls,andconnectedtothe
15
WashingtonCityCanalin1866,aprojectenvisionedbyLEnfant.
Thislastworknotonly
improvedthecanalsusefulnessandadded20acresoffirmlandtothePointandtheArsenal,
buthelpedabatethenuisanceintheshapeofanextensivemarshlyingbetweentheArsenal
7

Foranexampleofsatire,seeWash.Post,22July1929,p.16(quotation)takenfromClark,
GreenleafandLaw...
,
quotedinEmery,WashingtonNewspapers(renamingproposal)Wash.Post,13Aug1932,p.14.Thedwellers
downthatwayacceptthenamewithoutprotest,andnotoneofthemsuggested...thatforthesakeofeuphonyand
propertyvaluesthenameshouldbechanged(EveningStar,30July1916,p.48).
8
OriginallySt.JamesCreek,shortenedtoJamesintheearlyyearsoftheDistrict,inhonorofJamesGreenleaf
according(speculatively?)toEveningStar,21Dec1901,p.32.
9
TherewerethreeconstructedinthegeneralareaofBuzzardPointby1803andanother,largeroneinthe1820s
seeKraft,
OldSouthwest
,pp.13,26.
10
IntheareaofthedevelopmentearlierplannedbutnotbuiltbyCarrolltotheeastofJamesCreekCarrollsburg.
Anumberofhouseswereprojected,somefewwerefinished,butmanybeingleftinahalffinishedstatefellinto
decay,afterhavingbeenoccupiedbynegroesandlowwhites(Rives,OldFamiliesandHouses).
11
AcontemporarywriterattributedthistocontractorsdumpingdredgemudfromthecanalintothenearbyAnacostia
(EveningStar,23Feb1874,p.1).In1883PresidentArthurandhispartyweregroundedforseveralhoursonthebar
(EveningStar,21July1883,p.1).
12
WrotelandownerThomasLawin1804,arguingforconstructionoftheWashingtonCityCanal:Hemp,timber,flour
...etc.maybeconveyedfromthePotomacktotheNavyyardontheEasternBranch[viathecanal]withouttaking
thecircuitousandhazardousroutebyTurkeyBuzzardpoint,whichrequiresalsotwotides(Law,Observations)
13
EveningStar,17Apr1910,p.20.Squaresandlotsweredesignatedwhichweremostlyunderwaterwaterlots
andfoundinitialbuyers.Itwouldbeinterestingtolearnwhathappenedtotheownershipofthesenonexistentlots.
ThesouthernmostsquaresweretheonlyonesbelowQwiththemorenarrowrowhousesizedbuildinglotsthe
squaresaboveTStreet(exceptSquare661,withlittleresidentialAugustaStreetdownitscenter)allhadmuchlarger
lots.Perhapsthoselowersquareswereplattedlater,whenbuildingpracticeshadchanged.
14
TherehadearlierbeensomeartillerymountedatthetipofthePoint.
15
InspiteofacompletedcanalbeingshownonvirtuallyallcommercialmapsoftheDistrictprintedbeforethattime,
andwhichseemtohavecopiedfromeachotherandultimatelytheLEnfantplan,morecarefulmapssuchas
BoschkeandmilitarytopographicalmapsconfirmthatJamesCreekremainedonlythatuntil1866,andthat(afew
carelesscartographersnotwithstanding)itdidnotconnectwiththecanalsystem.

andBuzzardPoint...Residentsescapedtheusualsicknessoriginatingfromthemarshlast
16
season.
17
Notcanal,wharvesnorArsenal
broughtprosperitytoBuzzardPoint,norinfacttothe
southwesternquadrantoftheDistrict,whichbythe1850swasknowngenerallyasThe
18
Islandforitsisolationfromtherestofthecity.
FromtheNavyYardwestwardalongthe
EasternBranchtoGreenleafsPointwasawildstretchoflandwithhereandthereahovelor
ahouseandthestouringofbrickkilns,recalledanelderlyresidentin1901ofthepreCivil
19
Warperiod.
Acarefulstudyoftheareapublishedin1910foundnohistoryofbuildingstherebefore
1830exceptsomesimplewharvesandshacksalongtheshore,andcitizenspetitioningon
behalfofarailroadprojectin1859statedthattheconditionofthatportionofthecityhas
20
beenaneyesoreforthelastquarterofacentury.
Acountofstructuresinthecitymadeby
MontgomeryMeigsin1853foundexactlyeightframehousesandoneshopinallofBuzzard
21
22
Point(belowQStreet).
TherewasnopassagewayovertheCreek/canalbelowNStreet,
andsonodirectaccesstotheArsenal.
NewspaperreferencestotheBuzzardPointcommunityfromthemidnineteenthcentury
mostlypertainto:strayfarmanimalscrimedrowningandboatingaccidentsboatsstolen,
lostorsunkillegalfishingandswimminghunting(duck,pigeon,rabbit)andconcomitant
shootingaccidents.Theriverbankwasapopularspotformassbaptisms(bycolored
people),forbaseballandbowlinggames,andforillegalprizefights.Theonly(legal)
23
businessesmentionedwereadrinkinghouseandasinglebrickyard.
Thefew
descriptionsofareahousingrangefromaneatlittleframehousetoanunsightlyframe
shanty.AsubmergedtorpedowasoncefoundinthewateroffthePoint.
TherurallifeoftheareacertainlynotuniqueintheDistrictofthattimebuteventhen
notableisillustratedbyanaccountofariverpleasurecruisein1860:Asthesteamer
roundedtheArsenalPointandenteredtheAnacostiaRiver,theattentionofthoseonboard
wasdirectedtothedaringaquaticfeatsofafadedgrayhorseandtwocurs,evidently
pertainingtothelikdenotedBuzzardsPoint,intowhichtheywereperceptiblyincitedbya

16

EveningStar,22June1866,p.120Dec1866,p.321Dec1901,p.32.The1866workalsocreatedtheseawall
alongtheeasterntipofGreenleafPoint.Besidesthelatterarticle,agoodhistoryoftheArsenalwillbefoundin
EveningStar,17Apr1932,p.82.ThemasonrywallbelowPStreetcontainedonlythewestsideofthecanal,
accordingtoaverydetailedaccountinEveningStar,17Dec1887,p.1,andlaterphotos.
17
Formanyyearsamarshandunbridgedcreek/canalseparatedtheneighborhoodfromtheArsenalthe
stillstandingbrickwallalongFt.McNairsoriginaleasternboundarywasbuiltintheverylate1920s,judgingfrom
representationsintheBaistmaps.Nosourceconsulted,includingcensusrecordsofoccupations,givesany
indicationthattheArsenalgaveworktothenearbycommunityinthewaytheNavyYardnurtureditsneighborhood.
18
SolabeledontheBoschkemapof1861.
19
Sunderland,Bryan,WashingtonAsIKnewIt,in
RecordsoftheColumbiaHistoricalSociety
,vol.5.CHS,
WashingtonDC.1902.
20
Respectively:EveningStar,17Apr1910,p.2012Feb1859,p.2.ThatportionofWashingtonhasuptothistime
beenentirelyneglectedbythecorporateauthorities,perhapsbecause...therehasbeennorealdemandforitsdue
improvement(EveningStar,13Apr1859,p.2)aportionofWashington...sofaraclosedbook(EveningStar,10
Nov1859,p.2)thisportionofWashington,soeligibleforbusinesspurposes,...hasbeenavoidedasifinfectedby
theplague(EveningStar,22June1866,p.1).
21
SeeKraft,
OldSouthwest
.
22
Kraft(p.26)foundanoticeofabridgeatSStreetin1844butitdidnotappearinlatermaps.
23
AlthoughmuchismadeofbrickyardsintheareawhichhadthelargestconcentrationintheDistrictmostof
themwerelocatedoutsideofBuzzardPointasIdefineithere,alongSouthCapitolnorthofQorinnearbySoutheast.
Lumbaryardsalsofigureincontemporaryaccounts,perhapsinformalones(see,e.g.,EveningStar,22May1917,p.
15)onlyoneappearedinCityDirectoriesbelowQStreet.

voiceandpairofhardbareheelsownedbyacodlinginabbreviatedoverall,alsoaBuzzards
24
Pointer.
The1866drainingoftheJamesCreekmarsh,whichhopefullyopenedmuchnewlandfor
25
occupancybybuildings,workshops,etc.,
accomplishedlittleinthatline.AsurveyofDistrict
buildingsconductedbytheWaterDepartmentin1875listed36residences(ofwhich7were
brick),8shantiesand6businessesintheneighborhood.Thebusinessescompriseda
26
brickyard,astoneyard,afactory,twoslaughterhouses,andoneshop.
Thesestructures
wereconcentratedalongSouthCapitolandFirstStreets.Detailedmaps(Boschke1861,
Barnard1865,Sachse1884,Hopkins1893,Baist1903andlater)nevershowmorethana
scatteringofmostlyframebuildingsthere.
ThePoliceCensusof1894(theearliestreported)found323inhabitantslivingsouthofQ
27
Street(includingthesouthsideofQ)
117whitesand146blacks,generallyliving
sidebysideinthesamesquares.Contemporaryaccountsdepictingthecommunityas
largelyblack(Hereisacolonyofcoloredpeople,thefamiliesofmenwhocarryhods...and
runsandscowsontheriverthepointisinhabitedbynegroesemployedinthesoapfactory
28
nearby)
probablyreferstotheareabetweenMandQ.
Theisolatedandruralqualityoftheareawasasevidentthenasnow.Thedetailedmaps
ofinfrastructureimprovementsincludedinthe1880EngineerAnnualReportshowthatnot
onetypeofcivicworkpavement,gaslines,watermains,sewers,trolley,schools,policeor
firestations,evenstreettreesextendedsouthofMStreet.
TheWashingtonPostsreporterRussellGray(WashingtonByWays)visitedthe
neighborhoodin1886andhasleftacharmingpictureofthislonglostcommunity.Having
st
walkedsouthon1
Streetpastavaryingsuccessionofhousesandvacantlots,Graynoted
aboutthreeblocksofmiserablehovelssouthofMStreetandthatataboutQthestreet
begantogentlyslopedownwardasitleftthelastclusterofhouses.

st
It[1
Street]isborderedoneithersidebytruemarketgardensinthehigheststateofcultivation.Oneno
longerwonderswherethecelerycomesfrom:herearewholesquaresgivenuptoitsculture.Thefieldsare
interspacedwithorchardsofsmallfruittreesandoccasionallytheseminiaturefarmshavebuildingssetback
fromtheroadandprofuselysurroundedwithchickens,stablesandfarmimplements.[Hecomparedthis
peacefulscenetoHolland.]SomeofthearchitectureaboutBuzzardPointispeculiar.Itcannotbedescribed
byanyofthefamiliartermsofarchitecture.Oneofitsmarkedfeaturesislatticework.Themorelatticework
andpicketfencethemoretheownerislookeduptointhecommunity.
[HenotedamostcurioushabitationhiddenatthePointandattheextremeendofthepromontorythe
famousfertilizerfactory,tobediscussedlater.OnreturningnorthwardhefoundSouthCapitolStreetquite
differentfromthebucolicPoint:]SouthCapitolhasbrickkilnsinsteadofmarketgardens.
[Followingthisenjoyableexcursion,Graysummarizedhisobservations:]Idonotbelievethatfive
strangersamontheverfindtheirwayintothisextremesouthernendoftown,andIhopeIwillnotbe
accusedoflackofprideinthegrowthofthecitywhenIsaythatarealestateboomprobablyneversetfoot
29
amongthelonglevelsofthatsection.

24

EveningStar,26June1860,p.3.
EveningStar,20Dec1866,p.3.
26
Kraft,
OldSouthwest
.
27
Includingthoseonthesouthsideofthatstreet,somewhatinflatingthenumbercomparedtothesebelowtaken
fromthedecennialcensus.
28
CriticRecord,30Aug1886,p.3Nat.Republican,30Aug1884,p.3.
29
Wash.Post,21Nov1886,p.7,abridged.AstrangerisaverystrangethingonBuzzardPoint(EveningStar,30
July1916,p.48).
25

The1900censuscounted231persons(manyofthemchildren)livingsouthofQStreet,
almostexactlydividedbetweenblackandwhiteandgenerallyonthesameblocks,almostall
alongtheeasternstreets.Anumberofthewhiteswereimmigrants.Byfarthemostcommon
occupationswere:gardener/farmer,daylaborer,carpenter,dressmaker,andservantat
schoolisalsocommonlyseen.Bookkeeper,fireman,policeman,engineerstandoutas
exceptional.Acertainnumberlivedonboatsnottheyachtsmenoftodaybutthoseofthe
workingclass.AnelderlymanwhohadlivedonhisboatatthePointforseveralyearsdied
30
ofheatstrokein1909,
andthe1940censuslistednofewerthantenwhitepeoplelivingon
houseboats,includingonewhoseoccupationwasfisherman.
Iamassuredbyanoldresidentwhomadearecentpilgrimagetothespot[1901],thatit
31
wasalmostimpossibleforhimtorecognizeplacesfamiliartohiminboyhood.
Grayswishfuldescriptionof1886contrastssharplywithaccountsofthe1910sandthis
probablyindicatesaseveredeclineinthefortunesoftheneighborhood:

TraveldownamongthemarketgardensandtheuntilledfieldstowardBuzzardsPoint.Ifonegoes
downthatwayhefindsthatsomestreetschangeintodustyandmuddyroads,narrowandcrooked,onlyfoot
pathsand[sometimes]notevensomuchimprovedasthat.Thereareacresandacresoflandovergrown
withweedsweedsastallasamandense,tangledmassesofthem.AroundthejunctionofPotomac
AvenueandHalfStreettheweedjunglereallybeginsandcontinuessouthward.Aroadwaythenameof
whichisnotknowntopeoplewholiveinthatdowntowndistrict,runsfromWStreetandlosesitselfinthe
weeds.(EveningStar,3Aug1912,p.11,abridged)

IngoingdowninthelandofoldCarrollsburgonemayturntothesouthfromNStreet.Youwillwalk
underoneofthefinestarcadesofelmsinthecity.IfyoupasssouthdownHalfStreetyourwaywillbe
borderedbyhousesuntilyoucometoOStreet.Afterthatyourwaywillbedustyandshadeless.Dwellings
becomesparseandtherearewidestretchesofgardenlands,abandonedbricklandsandruined
brickmakingplantsandfieldsofweedsbetweenthem,butclosetothetipofthatstrangecountrythereisa
clusteroflittlehomesandastore,andwithinafewfeetofthepointstandsadwellingwithalittlegardenof
carefullytendedflowersandthereapleasantfamilyfindscomfort,happinessandhealth.Itisthe
southernmosthomeinWashington.(EveningStar,30July1916,p.48,abridgedthearticleincludesaphoto
32
ofthehouseandthefamily.
)

AsBuzzardPointfailedtoestablishaplaceinthelargersocietyofthegrowingcityits
geographicandeconomicisolationattractedthoughtsfornewusesforthearea.Themost
noveloftheserelatedtotrashdisposal.In1865municipalscavengerssimplydepositednight
soilintotheJamesCreekCanalBuzzardPointwasappointedoneofthetwonewsitesfor
33
suchrefuse,andasmalldumpdepotwasbuiltonSStreet.
Noonelivedthereexceptthe
commandantoftheArsenal,whofruitlesslycomplained.Thisannoyingfacilitywasjoinedin
1881bythefertilizerfactoryofMr.H.ClayJones,makerofJonesProlificGuano(from
renderedanimalcarcasses)aplace,notedtheneighbors,veryprolificinodors.Withsuch

30

Wash.Post,11Aug1909,p.4.
Rives,OldFamiliesandHouses.
32
OtherphotosofoldhousesatBuzzardPointwillbefoundin:EveningStar,6Feb1927,p.78and7Sept1930,p.
85.TheHistoricalSocietyofWashingtonholdsanumberinitscollection.
33
ThissectionhasbecomeaplaceofgeneraldepositformanurecollectedfromallpartsoftheDistrictbyparties
whoshippedittwiceayeartofarmersdownthePotomac.Heapingitupinlargepilesduringthesummerandwinter,
itwaslefttorotuntiltheshippingseasonspringandfall(HealthOfficersReportinDistrictofColumbia
th
CommissionersAnnualReport,1879,p.131).Theotherwasat17
StreetonthePotomac(EveningStar,17Oct
1873,p.4).
31

areputation,otherhaulersbeganroutinelydumpingmanureandotheroffensivematerial
34
nearby.
JonesmanufactorywasreplacedbythatofC.B.Jewellby1888,whosefacilityatHalf
andWsawregularinspectionsbythecitysHealthOfficer.Jewellssuccessor,Norton&Bro.
(atthesamelocation),burnedin1900andwasnotreplaced.TheNationalSanitary
Companysultramodernfertilizerplant,builtattheverybottomofSouthCapitolin1892(The
drainageisintotheriverviathegutterofSouthCapitolStreet),mercifullyburnedafterthree
35
years,andthecompanythenrelocatedtothefarsideoftheAnacostia.
Unfortunately,it
wasreplacedbyamunicipalgarbagereductionplant(ofthenewBrownfurnacetype)which
36
beganoperationsin1896.
Dumpingandrenderingwerenottheonlyolfactoryandhealththreatsrelegatedtothis
unlovedpartoftown.Thenew(1899)sewersystemincludedanoutfallrunningintothe
37
Canal.Thesesewerscarryalargevolumeofsewageintothe[Anacostia]rivereachday.
AndagallingannoyancewastheofficialdesignationofthewharfonSouthCapitolStreetas
thepointfromwhichdeadanimals,collectedbycitycontractorsfromthestreets,were
shippedtorenderingplantsnowmovedtoGiesboro(inDC)andVirginia.Cityinspectors
visitedthewharfin1893andreportedfindingtwodeadhorsesonscow...exposedtohot
sun,onemuchswollenandodorousalsoanaccumulationofbonespartiallycoveredby
putridfleshandgivingoffanoffensivestench[thenextweek]fivedeadhorses...baskingin
hotsun,swollenandodorous[thenextday]fivedeadhorsesonboat,greatlyswollenand
38
decomposing.
Onecanbedismayedbutnotsurprisedtoseeregularadvertisementsfromaboutthis
period:FORSALEIsYourBusinessObjectionabletoYourNeighbors?Thenbuyon
39
st
BuzzardsPoint,1
St,SW10,000feetforsalecheap.
TheancientproblemoftheJamesCreekCanal(thisnavigablesewer)persisted.Even
aftertheJamesCreeks1866wideningandimprovementbargescouldonlytravelasfarnorth
40
asPStreet(whereitmeasured60feetwideand10feetdeepatlowtide)
theCanalseems
tohavenevercontributedmateriallytotheareasdevelopment.Acitizenpetitionof1896
summarizeditsbrokenpromises:Thisopensewer,byreasonofitsfoulwatersandfilth,is
fataltothehealthandcreatesafrightfulmortalityinthisvicinity...Thecanalwillneverbeof
anyconsiderablevaluetocommerceorbusiness,inasmuchasitistoonarrowandshallowto
allowthepassageofanyvessellarger...thanasandscow.Theywanteditcoveredover.
ThecanalwasfilledinasfarsouthasGStreetby1903,fromGtoNStreetsby1911,and
southwardtoPin1916.TheEveningStar(1911)wonderedifthesectionbelowP,withits
picturesquepossibilitiesandstillpossiblecommercialuse(therebeinglumberyards,sand
andgraveldumpsandbrickworksnearby)couldberedeemed.Thatlastportionwasused

34

EveningStar,27Nov1865,p.2Nat.Republican,11May1881,p.4.
CriticRecord,25Sept1888,p.4EveningStar,7Nov1893,p.6EveningTimes,5June1896,p.2WashPost,
14Aug1893,p.85May1900,p.1.TheNationalSanitaryfactory,onestoryhigh,withalargebrickbuilding,was
aminoreffortbyPaulJ.Pelz,whohadjustdesignedthemajesticLibraryofCongressbuilding(Wash.Post,23Oct
1892,p.10).
36
HealthOfficerReport,inDistrictofColumbiaCommissionersAnnualReport,1895,pp.1415,and1896,p.371,
whichincludesafinephotoandsectionaldrawingoftheplant.
37
EveningStar,17Jan1899,p.11.TheDistrictssewagestationsatjustacrossSouthCapitolStreet(Wash.
Times,29Sept1911,p.1).
38
EveningStar,5Aug1893,p.4.
39
Wash.Herald,11Feb1909,p.10.
40
TheworkisminutelydescribedinEveningStar,22June1866,p.1.
35

asacitydumpuntil1930,whentheCorinthianYachtClub,movingtotheDCshorefrom
41
Virginia,receivedpermissiontofillitinwhenitcreateditsnewyachtbasin.
Asthecanalfailedinitspurpose,soalsodiedtheideaofusefulharborageatthePoint.
Thelastrecordedsuggestionofthistypedatedfrom1859(theterminalofaproposedcargo
42
steamshipline).
FromthistimeonworkontheriveralongthePointaimedtofacilitatewater
trafficpastBuzzardPointtotheNavyYard.TheEasternBranchchannelwasdredgedin
1876,1883,andalmostcontinuouslyin190313.Theseprojectsalsoallowedthe
governmenttofillintheflatsonbothsidesoftheAnacostia.The1908projectnodoubt
dismayedthelocalboys:Formanyyears[the]beachextendingfromBuzzardsPoint...was
afavoritebathingplace.Thedeepeningofthechannelhastotallydestroyedthebeach,
creatingaperpendicularbankaboveafifteenfootdepthofwater.Navigationbeaconslitthe
43
reformedchannelafter1912.
AnotherearlyproposalforBuzzardPointwasrailroaduse.Suchasuggestionlinking
theinlandareasofthecitytotheAnacostiaviarailratherthancanalwasfirstmadein1851
44
andagainin1859.Thesewerefollowedbyrailroadplansinthe1870sand90s.
Aswith
everyothersuchdevelopmentplan,proponentsbelievedtheinnovationwouldbringpurpose
totheneighborhoodandariseinpropertyvalues(andhenceintaxes),andsuch
announcementsdidleadtooccasional,andshortlived,landspeculation.
Otherprojectsalsoweremooted:aprivatefactory,morefederalmunitionsfacilities,an
enlargedsewagepumpingstation,atrashincinerator,anairport,apark,anextensionofthe
BotanicalGarden,apublicbeachforblacks,andarelocationsiteforthecitysmainwholesale
45
market,displacedbythenewNationalArchivesbuilding.
TheMcMillanCommissionPlan
confineditsrecommendationsregardingthePotomacAnacostiawaterfronttomorewharves
backedbyanelevatedroad(pp.8384)andeventhatwasnotclearlyintendedtoincludethe
Point.NotethatduringthisentireperiodBuzzardPointandLEnfantsbroadSouthCapitol
Streetformedadeadendtheinitial(andcurrent)SouthCapitolStreet(Douglass)Bridge
wasbuiltin1950.
TheseplansgrewagainstabackgroundofthesteadydeteriorationofBuzzardPoints
communitybase.IfthepopulationbelowQStreetstoodat231soulsin1900,ithaddropped
to185inthe1920census(89white,96black),87in1930(3948),andfinally34in1940
(1915).Therecordedoccupationsremainedhumbleones,driverreplacinggardenerby
1920,andstillshowedasprinklingofimmigrantsandmoreexaltedprofessions
bookkeeper,telephonegirl,machinist(attheNavyYard),severalfireandpolicemen,and

41

EveningStar,22June1866,p.125Feb1896,p.116Apr1911,p.2011June1916,p.2622Feb1930,p.16.
The1911articledescribesBuzzardPointasaquaint,semiruralsection...coveredwithmarketgardensandsmall
orchards.The1932BaistmapshowsthesectionsouthofSStreetstillnotfilledinperhapsthiswasthepartused
bytheyachtclubandthePSstretchhadbeeneliminatedinanintermediateproject.
42
DailyUnion,15Feb1848,p.3EveningStar,13Apr1859,p.2.Thesuggestionwasresurrectedbrieflyin1929
andlater,aswillbedescribed.
43
EveningStar,21July1883,p.117Nov1903,p.152Apr1905,p.1020Oct1908,p.18Wash.Times,30Sept
1911,p.53Aug1912,p.1217Apr1913,p.15.
44
DailyNationalIntelligencer,17Nov1851,p.3EveningStar,12Feb1859,p.223Feb1874,p.116Aug1890,p.
6.
45
(Factory)Wash.Post,12Nov1909,p.16Wash.Times,13Nov1909,p.5(munitions)Wash.Times,13Sept
1916,p.1(sewage)EveningStar,17Dec1887,p.1(incinerator)Wash.Post,22Jan1928,p.M1(airport)Evening
Star,3July1929,p.26(park)EveningStar,16May1916,p.6(BotGard)EveningStar,6Dec1925,p.4(beach)
AfroAmerican,13June1925,p.1(market)Wash.Post,21Jan1928,p.1.

46

gravedigger.ThelastyearsincludedthestewardofthenearbyCorinthianYachtClub.
Althoughtheracialmixremainedimpressivetheaddressesshowsomewhatgreater
residentialseparation.Thetenpersonslivingonhouseboatsin1940wereallwhite.City
Directoriesfromthelate1910sshownobusinessesandmanyvacantbuildingsbelowQ.
Avisitorof1930reportedtheareastilldominatedbyfarmlandandtruckingland,and
aerialphotosofaboutthesameperiodshowtidyplotswithoccasionalhouses,afewbrick
47
andofsomesubstance.

ThePlanned(andUnsuccessful)IndustrializationofBuzzardPoint

AstheoldgardeningcommunitydeclinedaconsensusgrewthatthebestuseofthePoint
wasindustrial.Thenew(1920)systemofzoningprovidedaperfectvehicleforthis.The
WashingtonChamberofCommercesZoningCommitteein1920recommendedenlargement
ofindustrialandsecondcommercialzones,andincludedallofBuzzardPointbelowMStreet
48
intheformercategory.
PressarticlesspokeoftheownersofpropertyatBuzzardPointin
eagerdiscussionwithplanners.
SensitivetothedisuseoftheareaandtheneedforanindustrialsectionintheDistrict,the
49
NationalCapitalParkandPlanningCommission
chargeditsstaffengineer,Capt.E.N.
Chisolm,Jr.tostudythepossibilities.Chisolmsreport,WaterfrontDevelopmentWar
50
CollegetoNavyYardwaspresentedtotheCommissionatitsMay1929meeting
and
servedasthebasisfortheindustrializationofBuzzardPoint.
ChisolmbeganbynotingthatBuzzardPoint(theentiresectionsouthofMStreet)
representedtheonlyundeveloped,cheappricedareawithinthecityproperthatisoutsideof
51
therangeofparkorboulevarddevelopment.
Itwasnearexistingrailroadtracksservingthe
NavyYard,thecurrentlandownerswerefavorabletodevelopment,andithadbeenalready
taggedformoreintensiveuseinNCPPCsplanningoftheWashingtonChannelandina
confidentialrailroadstudy.Itwastheonlyavailablesite[for]development[of]suitable
facilitiesforinterchangeofwaterandrailroadcommerce,withspaceforterminalandtransfer
buildings.Toachievethisplan,heproposed:improvementandfurtherconstructionofthe
bulkheadriverdredgingconstructionoftransitshedsandrailroadfreightstationsnew
railroadlinesanewservicestreet150feetwideandabridgecrossingtheAnacostiaRiver
fromQStreet.
52
TheNCPPCpursuedthisplanthrough1930
andapprovedaproposedrailplanatits
October1931meeting.CongresspassedtheBuzzards[sic]PointRailroadBillon18June
53
1932.Thetrackswerelaidlaterthatyear.
RailroadlinestothePointwerethefirstrequisiteforitsindustrializationnewzoningwas
thesecond.Arequestforchangeofzoningclassificationfromresidentialtoindustrial90foot
DwaspresentedtotheZoningCommissionbyPEPCOinJune1932,coveringonlythearea
46

AmongthelastoftheseresidentswasCharlesHunt,aveteranwholivedwithhisbrotherThomasinatworoom
shackanddiedinafirein1937.ApparentlylongtimeBuzzardPointers,theirsisterGertrudehaddiedfifteenyears
earlieralsoinafire.TheyalllivedneartheverytipofthePoint.(Wash.Post,3Feb1937,p.5)
47
(Visitor)EveningStar,7Sept1930,p.84(photos)fromtheSpecialCollectionsoftheNationalDefenseUniversity
library.
48
EveningStar,11Aug1920,p.15.
49
LaterchangedtotheNationalCapitalPlanningCommission.
50
Andwillbefoundtheminutes,intheNationalArchives,RecordGroup328,Entry1.
51
Landthathasbeendormantformanyyears.
52
See,forexample:Wash.Post,22Sept1930,p.18EveningStar,23Oct1932,p.3.
53
Wash.Post,29June1932,p.16.

nd
ofthecompanysproposedpowerstation(TtoV,2
toWaterStreets),butwaslater
amendedtotakeintheentireBuzzardPointareasouthofPStreet.AtitsOctober1932
meetingtheCommission(attherequestofNCPPC)approvedareducedindustrialareato
protecttheresidentialdevelopmentoftheWashingtonSanitaryHousingCorporationandthe
54
viewfromtheWarCollege.
Withtheimportantpiecesinplace,theDistrictanditspartnersthelocallandownersand
NCPPCputoutaWelcomesignformajorindustrytoinhabittheneighborhood.The
CommissionhopesindustrialinterestswillcenteratBuzzardsPoint,turningthedesolatearea
intoathrivingindustrialzone.TheWashingtonMerchantsandManufacturersAssociation
andtheWashingtonRealEstateBoardalreadyhadinitiatedajointprojecttowardthisend.
NCPPChopefullyorganizedaroundtableconferenceofgovernmentandprivateplayers
(announcedbyChisolm)tointegrateitsplanswithaproposedPortofWashingtonAuthority.
TheCommissionheardtestimonysuggestingamoredignifiedname(Duddington,
55
Carrollsberg)tohelpattractbuilders.
Thiseuphoriaintheenddidnotresultinagreatdealofindustrialdevelopment.Gulf
RefiningCompanybuiltanoilandgasolinestorageplantonthe1700blockofSouth
Capitol/WaterStreetsin1933.PEPCOsmagnificentnewpowerplant(describedseparately),
ofthesameyear,wasthemostenduringandsignificantconstructionresultingfromthisplan.
AMapofSouthWashingtonpreparedforproposedtrackextensionsatthetimeshows
manyindustrialconcernsspottedtothenorthofQStreetandeastofSouthCapitolbut
56
absolutelynonesouthofQ.
Notesona1938Baistmap(intheWashingtonHistorical
Society)indicateLeasedtoNCHA[NationalCapitalHousingAuthority]TempHousingon
squares605,607,661and663thelasttwoarealsomarkedHeurich,thenameofalarge
localbrewer.
TheonlyothernewdevelopmenttheareaattractedwasthesplendidnewCorinthian
YachtClub,displacedfromitsearliersiteontheVirginiasideofthePotomacbyvariousriver
projectstothemouthoftheoldcanal,whichtheclubitselfnowreshapedanddeepened.The
EveningStarsenthusiasmforthisprojectisstillinfectious,anditsdescriptionofthesites
previousconditiontelling:Gonearetheabandonedrustingframesandbatteredbodiesof
defunctautomobiles.Gonearethetinshedsofsquattersanddisreputablecharacters...
Theclubgroundsareroundingrapidlyintoshape,roadsarebeingbuilt,arailway[forlifting
boatsfromthewater]isbeinginstalled,provisionisbeingmadeforampleparking,...what
wasonceajungleofmattedvinesandscrubgrowthbeingclearedandmadeintoapark...
57
BuzzardsPointhashaditsheadlifted.

TheNew,DesolateBuzzardPoint

54

Wash.Post,10June1932,p.20EveningStar,24Sept1932,p.17Wash.Post,12Oct1932,p.16.Aspartof
thepowerplantprojectportionsofWaterandUStreetswerealsoclosed(seePEPCOdocumentsintheNCPC
PlanningFilesNationalArchives,RG328,Entry54530,Box52)
55
(Quote)EveningStar,23Oct1932,p.3(Assn/Bd)Wash.Post,16Feb1930,p.13(conference)EveningStar,1
Apr1932,p.36(name)EveningStar,22July1932,p.17.
56
(Gulf)Wash.Post,25Nov1930,p.47May1933,p.8(map)NCPCPlanningFiles(NationalArchives,RG328,
Entry54530,Box52).
57
EveningStar,15Nov1930,p.22.

TheNCPPCsplanscannotbesaidtohavedestroyedtheold,semiruralBuzzardPoint
58
becauseitwasrapidlydisappearinginanycase,
buttheyfailedtoestablishtheareaasa
centerforindustrialuse.Morerailroadtrackswerelaidin1939and1942.Commented
CommissionmemberNolanonthelatteroccasion:Theareaisalreadybecomingcrowded
59
withspurtracks.
Theareaspopulationhaddwindledtonearzeroafewpeoplelivedon
60
boats.
Otherproposeduses,oftendistasteful,cameandwent:atrashtransferstation,apenal
wharf,acityownedgravelplant,andthatperenniallosingideacommercialandpleasure
61
wharves.
Acommercial(asopposedtomembersonlyprivate)marina,BuzzardPointBoat
Yard,wasestablishedimmediatelysouthofthepowerplantin1945theCorinthianYacht
Clublosttheleaseonitsfederallyownedlocationin1964forrefusingmembershiptoan
AfricanAmericanapplicantanddisbanded,tobereplacedbytheJamesCreekMarinain
62
1991.
Infact,throughthe1940sand50smostnewspaperitemsrelatingtoBuzzardPoint
pertainedtoboats(sales,repairs)andboating(regattas,clubparties,drownings).
ThevenerableHallsRestaurantmovedtothePointin1961,displacedbyurbanrenewal
th
fromits7
andKStreetsSWlocation,andisstillrememberedtherebysomeitclosedin
nd
1971.DuringWorldWarIItheareabetweenFt.McNairand2
Street,overCanalStreetand
theoldcanalbed,wasacquiredfromtheDistrictbytheWarDepartmentandentirelycovered
withwoodentemporarygovernmentbuildings,onlydemolishedwhentheFortexpanded
eastwardin1985andagainin2004.
Adeveloperpurchasedthelandjustsouthwestofthepowerplant(landownedbythe
CorinthianYachtClub,theoldHallsRestaurantsiteandsomeadjoiningparcelsincludingan
autojunkyard)in1967forapartments.HeengagedwellknownlocalarchitectCholthiel
63
WoodardSmithfortheprojectbutnothingcameofit.
Thefewscruffysmallwarehouses
andothermiscellaneousbuildingsoneencountersinBuzzardPointnowallnorthofthe
powerplantbetweenSouthCapitolandFirstStreets,andafewothersjustsouthofQStreet
datefromthe194060s.Twolargeandintrusiveofficebuildingsadjacenttotheriverarefrom
the1970s.

58

Theresurelywasnoresidentpopulationafter1940,andthelovelyoldhouseatthepointitself,mentionedin
severalnewsitemsasdatingfrom1800,canbeseenburninginanaerialphotooftheearly1930s(Special
CollectionsoftheNationalDefenseUniversityLibrary)
59
NCPPCminutes,1920Dec1942.
60
Wash.Post,14Apr1950,p.21hasaphotoofthecensusenumeratortalkingwithresidentsofoneoftheseboats,
whichappearstobemoreayachtthanaworkingvessel.
61
(Trash)EveningStar,17July1934,p.20EveningStar,16Oct1944,p.18(penal)Wash.Post,26Apr1939,p.
15(gravel)Wash.Post,14July1940,p.1(wharves)Wash.Post,9Aug1939,p.13EveningStar,14Apr1946,p.
C5.
62
(Corinthian)Wash.Post,23May1964,p.A1(James)Wash.Post,21Apr1991,p.C17.
63
Wash.Post,5Oct1964,p.B123Aug1967,p.B1.

Vignettes of Life at Buzzard Point in the Old Days

Taken from contemporary news articles and abridged

It was hog-killing time on Buzzards Point last week, remarked a member of Capt. George H. Williams command [of
the Metropolitan Police], speaking of a leave of absence granted George N. Fitton. George killed a number of hogs,
and some of them weighed as much as 200 pounds, he added. (Evening Star, 9 Jan 1916, p. 28)
th
$5 Reward Strayed away on the 11
of July, a large Bay Horse, with black feet, black mane and tail; carries his tail
on one side. The above reward will be paid if left at Felix Hornigs, Butcher, Buzzards Point. (Evening Star, 3 Aug
1857, p. 2)

Fire About noon to-day, the slaughter-house belonging to Mr. Hornig and occupied by Mr. Charles Elul, situated on
Buzzards Point, east of the Arsenal, was totally destroyed by fire, which was communicated to the building by two
children playing with matches. The loss of about $700. For some reason, unexplained, the number of the [alarm] box
was struck incorrectly, and consequently the fire department was not on hand with the usual promptness. (Evening
Star, 27 Nov 1868, p. 4)
To most people of the District Buzzard Point is looked upon as an out-of-the-way place, not a part of the territory of
the Capital. But on Thursday night the people of this neglected section [demonstrated that they] are alive and not

disposed to be outdone by their more favored neighbors. Not having the benefit of a race course or a yacht club, a foot
race was improvised, and a large crowd assembled to witness the sport. The contestants were Jim Rolley, the
celebrated runner, and Fielder Tim, one of the natives. In the pools Rolley sold at 84 and Tim at 27. Betting on the
result of the race was very lively, at about ten to one on the professional. To the great surprise of many and the joy of
the people of the Point Tim came in the winner. Tim is quite jubilant and now challenges any man in the District to
run against him. (Nat. Republican, 9 Sept 1876, p. 4)
Another old-time character who found a nameless grave in Potters Field [near the DC Jail] was Susan Diggs. This
aged woman was a mendicant and is remembered by some of the old citizens. She went from door to door begging for
food, and finally, in the fifties she was taken sick in her shanty near Buzzards Point and died. When found on a pile
of dried marsh grass in her dilapidated abode she had been dead several days. (Evening Star, 21 Mar 1903, p. 29)
A colored military company called the Eastern Starlight Cadets, composed of young men who work in the brick-yards
th
on Buzzard Point, have recently procured flashy uniforms and side arms, and were to celebrate the 4
of July by
parading. The heavy rain prevented [that], and they finally decided to celebrate the occasion by getting three big kegs
st
of beer and going to a large common at the corner of 1
and N Streets SW. They soon got drunk and began fighting
with their new swords and their fists. Several persons passing [by] were also assaulted, and when the police arrived
some had bloody noses, bruised eyes and swelled heads, and their clothing was cut with the sabers. [They were arrested
and fined for a most outrageous occurrence.] (Evening Star, 12 July 1882, p. 4)
The big houseboat belonging to Charles K. Heath, which was anchored off Alexandria and was used for games of
chance until the combination of the Maryland and Virginia authorities stopped them, has been laid up for the winter
in the cove between the mouth of the old James Creek canal and Buzzards Point. A watchman is aboard the craft.
(Evening Star, 17 Dec 1907, p. 18)
Ella and College Lucas, colored, were arrested last night by Sgt. Williams and locked up on charges of petit larceny.
The two are charged with stealing a calf and some chickens from James Carter and James Alexander, butchers, who
live on Buzzards Point. The calf was missed yesterday morning and the chickens disappeared some time previously.
[When the police] broke in upon the surprised suspects there was a scuffle upstairs and on making an examination
[they] found the calf, which was killed and skinned, in bed, after wrapping bedding around it. The hide was concealed
in a bucket. (Wash. Times, 21 Nov 1898, p. 8)
Warner H. Wright appeared in the police court yesterday [with] two charges against him [keeping an] unlicensed
bar and selling liquor on Sunday. Wright is proprietor of a wholesale grocery and liquor establishment at the corner of
Half and S Streets SW, on the farthest projection of lonely Buzzards Point. His place is in the immediate vicinity of
the garbage crematory and horse heaven, where dead animals are deposited. The employees of these industries are
said to be Mr. Wrights best customers, for both solids and liquids. (Morning Times, 26 Feb 1896, p. 8)
Yesterdays warm wave caused hundreds of boys to seek relief in the water, and two of the number who went in near
Buzzards Point were drowned. Buzzards Point has been a favorite swimming place for the boys who live in South
Washington and in hot weather it is not an unusual thing to see fifty or more of them in the water at a time. Two or
three dozen boys enjoyed the bathing off the point yesterday, and the two boys unfortunately went out beyond their
depth. (Evening Star, 27 June 1904, p. 3)
HORTICULTURAL WEEKLY EXHIBITIONS At the exhibition of week before last the plants in flower sent in
by:
Dr. B. Foreman, a curious Rose (
lusus naturae).

Thomas Blagden, fine Beets, Onions, and Verbenas, fine white and black Currants.
F. Van Bergen, of Buzzard Point, some large Apricots. (Daily Nat. Intelligencer, 16 July 1853, p. 3)
Yesterday there were three baptizings in the Potomac by colored people; two near Buzzard Point and one near the
steamboat wharfs Immense crowds of colored people, with some whites, were present on each occasion. There were
also several colored people baptized in Rock Creek yesterday. (Evening Star, 29 Apr 1867, p. 3)
At an early hour yesterday morning a prize fight took place at the brick yards on Buzzard Point between two young
white men named Geo. Newman and Wm. Skidmore. The mill was witnessed by over 200 people. Policemen arrested
the parties this morning. The fight was a most brutal one. Newman bit Skidmore on the face and legs badly, and
Skidmore kicked Newman in the face, tearing the skin off from the point of his nose to his forehead. The fight was
about a young girl, who was claimed as the company of both at an excursion on Decoration Day. (Evening Star, 5
June 1882, p. 1)
In dear remembrance of my dead child, Fannie. She leaves to mourn her mother, Bessie Brown, her father, Shack, a
host of good friends and Cousin Lon. Finding this note on a freshly packed grave on Buzzards Point yesterday
Policeman Davis settled down to unravel what appeared to be an unauthorized burial of a baby or young child. After
confiding to his superiors the details of his serious mission Policeman Davis went back and ordered the body exhumed.
It was found to be the body of a dog. (Evening Star, 17 Sept 1926, p. 1)

BuzzardPointPowerPlant


PEPCOannouncedplansforanewauxiliarypowerplantinJune1931.Theplantwouldbeextensibleand,
beginningwithoneortwopowerunits...wouldbeenlargedasdemand...grew.Companyofficials
lookednotonlyatthegeneralincreaseindemandbutalsothedangerofhavingonlyonemajorgenerating
facilityBenningwhich,ifincapacitatedbysomecatastrophewouldleavethecapitalcitydependenton
64
farawayBaltimoreforpower.
SitesrumoredunderconsiderationwereGeisboroPoint(presentBolling
65
AFB),ariversideplacenearAlexandria,andBuzzardPoint.

BuzzardPointhaditsattractionsandproblemsforthecompany.Itwascentrallylocated.Itwasneara
goodsupplyofwater(thegeneratorswouldbeworkedbysteam).Coalcouldbeeasilyandcheaplybrought
therebythenewrailroadtracksandthe(envisioned)wharves.Ontheotherhand,thedesignwouldfall
underpurviewoftheCommissiononFineArtsandtheNCPPCtherequisitetallstackswouldcertainly
becomelightingrodsforcriticism.(SomeindustrialplantsinGermany,attractivelydesignedtoconceal
smokestacksbyapyramideffect,havebeenstudiedwiththepossibilityofapplyingtheideahere.)And,
inasmuchastheParkServicewasthenbuyingallthelandalongtheriverforfutureparkland,moredesign
restrictionswouldensuepipesfromtheattachedwaterintakeplantwouldhavetobeplacedunderground.
66
ThePublicUtilitiesCommissionapprovedthenewplanton5October1932.

ThestackquestionprovedtobethemostmettlesomePEPCOwantedthreestacksof225feetbut
afteraconferencebetweenthecompanyandaraftoflocalandfederalagencyrepresentativestheplant
includedonlyonestackof180feet.Eventhiswasannouncedtoaviatorsasahazardandmarkedwithred
67
obstructionlights.
AttheinstanceofCFAtheexteriordecorationwasbuiltinlimestoneinsteadofthe
proposedcaststone.

PEPCOgavethedesign/constructionofitsnewplanttotherespectedengineeringfirmStone&
68
Webster.ThearchitectwasGeorgeR.Wryen,presumablyacompanydesigner.

ConstructionoftheBuzzardPointplant(thesouthernportionofthepresentbuilding,facingVStreet)
69
commencedinOctober1932
andPEPCOinauguratedthefacilityon16November1933withalunchfor
70
governmentandbusinesselites.Thecosttotaled$4million
andgenerated35megawattsfromturbines,
butwasplannedforincreaseto250MWcapacity.WhenthelocalchapteroftheAmericanAssociationof
Engineersvisitedafewmonthslaterthevisitorsdeclaredtheplantamodelofefficiency,incorporating
numerousimprovementsoverpastsystems.Contemporaryaccountsdidnotmentiontheassociatedwater
71
intakeplantbuiltatthesametime.
Asmallgatehouse,ofthesamematerialsandstyleastheplant,sitsat
thenorthwestcorneroftheoriginalbuildingitcannotbedatedbutseemscontemporaneous.

AWashingtonPostprofilebeamedoverthisadditiontothecitysinfrastructure:Architecturally,thenew
structure,byitssimplelinesandpleasingproportions,wouldornamentanypartofthecity.Eventhestack
oflightbrickwhichindicatesthepurposeofthebuildingaddstoitsattractiveness...Whatimpressesthe
visitortothismodernplantisthebignessofeverything...Simplicityandsafetyhavebeenguiding

64

TheBenningplanthadgoneoutofoperationtwicein1914becauseoflowwaterintheAnacostia,andin1933
fromhighwater(Wash.Post,12Nov1933,p.F8).
65
CommissionofFineArtsminutes,1819Nov1932EveningStar,21June1931,p.18.
66
PUCminutes,5Oct1932(p.759),asPUCNo.3023.
67
Wash.Post,9Dec1932,p.9EveningStar,2Nov1933,p.26CFAminutes,18Nov1932.
68
PertheCommissionofFineArtsminutes,6Jan1933.IngeneraltheCommissionregardedtheplanswell
designedandapprovedthem.
69
Buildingpermits,15Mar1933/#16130029Apr1933/#162359.Thelongstringsofconstructioninspectionreports
attachedtobothallowminutetrackingoftheprogress
70
Allsourcesgivetheanticipatedcostas$5millionperhapsthenewspaperarticlewasmistaken.
71
EveningStar,17Nov1933,p.3Wash.Post,25Feb1934,p.20.Adetaileddiscussionoftheprojectslaborcost
willbefoundinEveningStar,13Nov1933,p.17.

principleswiththeengineers...Precautionshavebeentakenagainstthehazardsoflubricatingoilfires,
72
incidenttothehightemperatureofsteamoperatingtheturbinegenerators.

73
Stone&Websteralsoprovidedthefirstadditiontotheplantin193940,
takingcapacityto120MWatan
expenseof$5million.Additionalturbinesinstalledin1942and1945yieldedatotalcapacityof270MW.
Theintakeplantalsosawsomeupgrades.Anuglyopencoalyardlayadjacenttotheplant,andoccupied
74
asmuchacreage.

Furtherexpansionoftheplant(outsidethesurroundingbuilding)eventuallysawitsgeneratingcapacity
riseto380MW,dividedbetweenBuzzardPointCombustionTurbinePlantEastandWest.Itwasconverted
tooilpoweredcombustionturbinesin1968butthenusedlessandlessuntilitwaslargelytakenofflinein
2012.

72

Wash.Post,12Nov1933,p.F8.Afinesetofphotosofallaspectsoftheoriginalplantandwithitseveraladditions
willbefoundintheLibraryofCongress,PrintsandPhotographsDivision,theTheodorHorydczakphotos.
73
Buildingpermits,8Nov1939/#22789231Dec1941/#250089,bothwithlettersofapprovalfromthePUC.
74
Wash.Post,17July1939,p.1725Jan1940,p.20EveningStar,26June1940,p.2521Aug1945,p.1210
May1946,p.23.EveningStar,30May1943,p.22hasagoodphotographoftheinterior.TheHorydczakphoto
collectionattheLibraryofCongress,PrintsandPhotographsDivision,documentsallaspectsoftheplant.

StreetScenes

SouthCapitolStreetlookingsouthfromPStreet,late1920s
(NARA)

Houses