The Meridian Hill Neighborhood is a dynamic place with an eclectic history. It is often described as a place of "cultural convergence" because of all the groups of people and history that are represented within it's boundaries. The neighborhood is comprised of many elements; the iconic Meridian Hill Park on it's western boundary, the booming 14th Street Corridor with commercial buildings and developing residential high-rises in the core of the neighborhood, the legendary U Street corridor on the southern boundary, and the residential streets lined with row houses and apartment/condo buildings in-between.
The Meridian Hill Neighborhood, like much of Washington, DC., is going through a period of growth and transition. The neighborhood is changing at a rapid pace and the Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association aims to preserve elements of the past as the neighborhood grows towards the future. As the neighborhood continues to grow, it is important that the past layers of history be remembered. The articles and photos below give a glimpse of the past of the Meridian Hill Neighborhood.
Articles: The Meridian Hill boundaries lay within the famed greater U Street Neighborhood. Please click on the links below to learn more about the history of Meridian Hill and the greater U Street Neighborhood.
Articles about the Neighborhood: (Please note, downloading files may take a few moments as their file sizes may be large)
Remembering U Street. - Kathryn S. Smith. This article pertains to the entire U Street Corridor
1301 Florida / 2300 13th Street and 1303 to 1349 Florida Avenue, NW Washington, DC. Documenting Historic Properties, Goucher College, Sherri M. Marsh, Instructor. Presented by Bruce Yarnall. This article pertains to the 1300 Block of Forida Avenue.
Manhattan Laundry. From: Capital Losses - A Cultural History of Washington's Destroyed Buildings. By James M. Goode. This article pertains to the 1300 Block of Florida Avenue.
14th and U. When being there meant being somebody. - Juan Williams This article pertains to the 14th and U Street Neighborhood corridor
DCist Profile: Midtown Youth Academy's Eugene R. Hughes This article pertains to 14th Street on the Block between W Street and Florida Avenue.
Outstripped - Once Upon a time, a laundromat counted as development in Columbia Heights. - Jason Cherkis This article pertains to 14th Street on the Block between Belmont Street and Chapin Street.
Under the Radar: The New School of African American Thought. Video Documentary about The New School of African American Thought that was once housed at 2208 14th Street - Creator: Wheatley, Lorenz "Abeeku" This article pertains to 14th Street on the Block between W Street and Florida Avenue.
Martha's Table - A Twenty-Five Year History - Bernard Ries This article pertains to 14th Street on the Block between V Street and W Street.
Lost Washington: Mary Foote Henderson's Boundary Castle - John DeFarrari This article pertains to the history of Meridian Hill Park and the greater 16th and 15th Street area between U Street and Columbia Heights.
Articles about Meridian Hill Park: (Please note, downloading files may take a few moments as their file sizes may be large)
Washingtoniana: Meridian or Malcom? - Jesseka Kadylak
January 26, 1922 Video footage of President, Mrs. Harding and Secretary of War, Weeks, attending the unveiling of a statue of Jeann d' Arc at Meridian Hill Park - Critical Past
New Spark in an Old Park - Karen Feld
Meridian Hill / Malcom X Park Partnership
Historic Pictures of Meridian Hill Park Under Construction - NPS
Historic Photos of Meridian Hill Park Users - NPS
Historic Pictures of Meridian Hill - Library of Congress
The Sundial and the Meridian - Nikolas Schiller
A Neighborhood in Transition: These photos depict images from the greater Meridian Hill area, a dynamic neighborhood in transition. Photos were contributed by Brian Levy, President, MHNA, and resident of the 1300 block of Florida Avenue NW, Washington, DC.
Spotts Barber Shop, Corner of 13th Street and Florida Ave. NW. Circa 2005
Clearing for Union Row. East side of 14th Street between V and W Streets NW. Circa 2005
Flea Market at the Union Row Site before it was moved to 9th and U Street. Circa 2005
Union Row Site. East side of 14th Street between W and V Street's NW. Circa 2005
Thomas's Family Luncheonette. Now Beauregard Condos. NW corner of W and 10 St NW. Circa 2006
Thomas's Family Luncheonette. Now Beauregard Condos. NW corner of W and 10 St NW. Circa 2006
14th Street and W. Construction Begins on new Condo Building 1-15-2005
14th St and W looking South (Now Union Row) 1-15-2005
14th Street and Florida Avenue (Now the Solea Condominiums. The Apartment building in the middle background on Belmont Street and the Shopping Center are now demolished) 1-15-2005
14th Street and Florida Avenue. (Now View 14). 7-11-2006
Do you have any research or stories about Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park neighborhood that you would like to share? Submit them to MHNA through our Website or tell us about it at the next MHNA meeting (but please ask to be put on the agenda -- we often have a lot of issues to cover). Photographs also are welcome.