600 block of Florida Ave, NW
We haven’t talked about the Q finial in over 15 years!!
“Dear PoPville,
I recently noticed a Q on a rooftop in LeDroit Park and you are the person to ask whether and what the story is. Thanks for your reporting!”
Back in 2010 we shared an update on the renovation here:
“Former controversial Horse’s ass award nominee from Florida Ave, NW in Ledroit Park is starting to look really good.”
In the comments readers revealed:
“That part of the house is called a finial…you find them on all the old turrets here in this city.”
“The owners last name begins with the letter Q. Nice touch, I think.”
“It’s a finial, not a lightning rod. It’s purpose is to cap the top of the turret roof slates that would otherwise leak without a cap. Just like flashing on a roof ridge or parapet wall. The tradition is to take the opportunity of a necessary cap and turn it into something a little bit more ornamental.”