Historical perspectives of Ivy City

Field Notes – September 2, 2017

Aaron Fettgather

Ivy City – Historical Perspectives

Walking through the community, there is an overwhelming feel of industry and manufacturing. This reflects the strong roots the area has in the sector. Warehouses (some abandoned, others not) are comingled with a poor residential community. This blend creates an unusual, albeit unique atmosphere.

Ivy City’s history is also a hodgepodge of stories. While manufacturing is a part of its fiber, the area was home to a premiere horse race track, the 1889 National Fair, and also a railroad coach repair facility. It was also home to an African American housing development shortly after the Civil War, and has remained predominately African American since.

African American Community Development

In the 1870s, Ivy City was envisaged to be a community for African Americans – the investor had laid out some 200 lots for purchase. While the lots being sold were comparatively larger than the rest of DC, building was slow. When construction did begin, it resulted in ramshackle settlements without the modern amenities of the time (Sternberg 1908). Housing remains simple today, please see Image 1.

Housing is, generally, run-down and a mixture of boarded up abandonment, neglect but just livable, remodeled exteriors, and new housing.

Horseracing and the National Fair Grounds

Both were born together. In 1878 the National Fair Grounds were established and, with it, a horse track. The construction was completed in 1879 and it was said to have brought 10,000-15,000 people (Miller 1984). After the fair, the horse track continued to operate, but only until gambling was outlawed by in D.C.

Railroad Coach Repair to Amtrak Service Depot

Walking on New York Ave northeast toward Ivy City, it is impossible not to notice the large, stacked old railroad cars and storage containers. Since 1907, Ivy City has held its position as maintained grounds for B&O Railroad, Amtrak, and now the MARC train. Formerly the grounds of the horse race track, the construction of the rail yard improved some of the conditions of the area, such as the construction of a sewer line. Though, the rail yard also generated a lot of pollution, due to a coal-powered steam plant (Montanari 1949). The rail yard is still in use, but the associated pollution has been somewhat reduced now that trains are electric/diesel.