History

John Talks History About The Area That Is Now Occupied by the Gym Mint

By Prince Of Petworth

Kilimanjaro Nightclub DC
The area around California/Florida and 18th Street has been transformed over the past couple of years.

Where once there was once just a dilapidated building on an oddly shaped lot, there is now Mint Fitness, street-wear retailers Stussy and partner-stores Commonwealth & For the Greater Good, home furnishings from And Beige, confectioners Locolat, Urban Escape Salon and the ever popular Rita’s Iced Custard.

A store-front over the road was also recently refurbished and is now home to a neighborhood grocery. Meanwhile, barbershop par excellence, the classic “Eddie’s Hair Creations” is still going strong. They have original barber chairs that swing back to a horizontal position – almost like those at the dentist and a vacuum cleaner contraption to suck up stray hairs from your scalp and the back of your neck.

Kilimanjaro: As It Used to Be
Although the building sat empty for many years, this now-revived space used to be home what Kinuthia Macharia, a Sociology professor at American University described as the “most famous African club in North America in the 1980s until the early 90s,” – the Kilimanjaro Club.  Story continues after the jump. (more…)

Beloved Petworth Resident Passes: Jason Glance

By Prince Of Petworth

GLANCE JASON DOW GLANCE (Age 44) Beloved husband, son, brother, and friend to many died on Sunday, August 31, 2008, at Georgetown University Hospital from complications of colon cancer. Jason was born and spent his young life in Winston-Salem, NC. He received his undergraduate degree from New College in Sarasota, FL and his MFA in painting from George Washington University. Jason spent a year in Taiwan teaching English and then made his home in Washington DC for the past 21 years, working most recently as the graphic designer for the journals of the American Psychiatric Association. Jason was a gifted painter who also enjoyed playing the flute, saxophone, and the piano. He also amassed an impressive collection of jazz and classical recordings and his knowledge of jazz of the 20’s to the 50’s was extraordinary. Jason was cofounder of a neighborhood magazine, the Grant Circular, and was a loved member of the Petworth community. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Arendse; his mother and father, Bill and Bette Glance of Winston-Salem, NC; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jeff and Tricia Glance of Raleigh, NC and Jonathan and Cindy Glance, of Macon, GA; seven nieces and nephews, and in-laws, Basil and Coral Arendse of Easton, MD and Avril Arendse of Philadelphia, PA. A graveside funeral service will be held at Rock Creek Cemetery, Rock Creek Church Road and Webster Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 (www.stpaulsrockcreek.org ) on Friday, September, 5, 2008 at 10 a.m. Friends and family are invited back to Jason’s home afterwards. All correspondence of condolence and friendship can be sent to 4206 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC, 20011. A memorial service will also be held at the Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem on September 13, 2008. In lieu of flowers, any memorials can be donated in Jason’s name to “3 Bles Nursing Staff” Georgetown University Hospital, 3 Bles, 3800 Resevoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007, for the nurses on 3 Bles, Georgetown University Hospital to use for the cancer patients they care for on that ward. These nurses are truly gifts to the sick and their families at the most difficult time of their lives. They made Jason’s last days joyful, comfortable, and peaceful and for that we will always be grateful.

Best Photo From Heritage Trail Markers?

By Prince Of Petworth

The sign said this band was playing at the opening of a new liquor store back in the day. It really doesn’t get any better than that.  “Music by Kentucky’s Famous Troubadors”.

Brightwood Heritage Trail Launch Event

By Prince Of Petworth

From a reader:

On Saturday, August 16, 2008, please join Cultural Tourism DC and the Brightwood Heritage Trail Working Group for the official unveiling of Battleground to Community: Brightwood Heritage Trail.

The unveiling ceremony begins at 10 am with the trooping of the colors by the Marie Reed Civil War Cadets Academy representing DC’s first regiment of Colored Troops. At this writing, Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, District Department of Transportation Executive Director Emeka Moneme, and Rock Creek Park Superintendent Adrienne Coleman will make remarks. Afterwards the crowd will be trooped across the street to unveil Brightwood Heritage Trail’s sign 2.

Beginning around 11 am and ending at 4 pm, is the Heritage Trail Stroll, combining the self-guided tour of the 18-sign Heritage Trail (approximately a 90-minute walk) with free refreshments and other incentives from Brightwood businesses and churches along the route. Members of FREED, Female RE-Enactors of Distinction, will portray Civil War era characters, and National Park Service rangers will be on hand at Fort Stevens and Battleground National Cemetery to answer questions.

Brightwood Heritage Trail Launch and Stroll

Saturday, August 16, 2008

10 am: Ceremony at Emery Recreation Center, 5701 Georgia Ave., NW

11 am – 4 pm: Self-guided Heritage Trail Stroll, including free refreshments and business discounts in the Brightwood neighborhood and from churches and businesses along the route.

Howard Theater

By Prince Of Petworth

Anyone know if there are plans to refurbish and reopen this theater? I imagine it was quite grand back in the day. It’s located at 600 block of T Street, NW near Florida. (more…)

Old Jewish Home For the Aged on 11th Street and Spring Road

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by dullshick

“Dear PoPville,

My wife and I live in Columbia Heights and read your blog. Walking around last week we came across the impressive and slightly spooky old Hebrew Home for the Aged building at 11th St. and Spring Road, NW.

As I was searching around to get a sense of the building’s history, I found some informative comments posted in response to a post of yours from last year. Point being:

Do you have any other thoughts or do you know anyone who might have some additional thoughts on the history?”

Folks never cease to amaze me with their knowledge of DC history. So who’s got the history of this home on 11th and Spring?”

Petworth, Delightful Suburb, Fast Gaining In Popularity

By Prince Of Petworth

I swore I’d never move to the suburbs. Oh well…

Thanks to a reader for sending this super cool article she “found by accident on the Library of Congress’ Chronicling Americas project. All about Petworth circa 1907.”

A Glimpse of Georgia Ave’s Glorious Past

By Prince Of Petworth

I love walking by the Emma Mae Gallery on 14th Street just north of U. There are always the coolest posters and photographs from back in the day. I really liked this one because the joint was located at 3642 Georgia Ave. It’s not hard to imagine Lorenzo Hall and his trio bringing down the house. Hopefully, there will be a comparable Billy Banks Ringside Inn gracing Georgia Ave in the near future.

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