Anacostia facts for kids

For other uses, see Anacostia (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Anacostia
Neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Anacostia within the District of Columbia
Country	United States
District	Washington, D.C.
Ward	Ward 8

Anacostia is a historic neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C.. Its main area is found where Marion Barry Avenue, Morris Road, Fort Stanton Park, and Anacostia Freeway meet. The neighborhood is located east of the Anacostia River, which is where it gets its name.

Anacostia is surrounded by the Southeast Freeway to the north and the Suitland Parkway to the south. It also includes the Anacostia Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Sometimes, the name "Anacostia" is used to talk about the whole part of the city that is southeast of the Anacostia River.

History of Anacostia
Geography
Demographics
Landmarks
Industry
Tourism
Hospitals
Education
Culture
Transportation
Gallery
See also

History of Anacostia

The name "Anacostia" comes from an old Native American settlement along the Anacostia River. This settlement belonged to the Nacochtank people. Scientists have found proof that Native Americans lived in the Washington, D.C., area at least 4,000 years ago. They lived near the Anacostia River. The Nacotchtank people, who lived in Anacostia, were connected to the Conoy tribe.

Early Explorers and Trade

In 1608, Captain John Smith explored this area. He traveled up the "Eastern Branch," which is now the Anacostia River. He thought it was the main part of the Potomac River. During his trip, he met the Anacostans. Before Europeans arrived, the Nacostine villages here were busy trading centers. Native Americans like the Iroquois from New York would visit them. Even after Maryland was founded, "Anacostan" was seen as one of the best places for trading with native groups.

Around 1668, Native American groups living south of Anacostia were forced to move north because of wars. Anacostine Island, which appeared on a map in 1670, became home to the Anacostans around this time.

An 1892 map of Anacostia, DC.

Uniontown and Frederick Douglass

The main part of what is now the Anacostia historic district was started in 1854. It was called Uniontown. This was one of the first suburbs in the District of Columbia. It was planned to be a place where working-class people could afford to live. Many of these people worked at the Navy Yard across the river. Because it was outside the city and somewhat separate, land there was cheap.

When Uniontown was first divided into lots in 1854, there were rules that stopped property from being sold or rented to people of African or Irish descent. However, the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass bought Cedar Hill in 1877. This estate belonged to the person who developed Uniontown. Douglass lived there until he passed away in 1895. His home is now a historic site called the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Anacostia.

Civil War and Name Change

During the Civil War, Anacostia was protected by forts built on the hills nearby. After the war ended, these forts were taken down. The land was given back to its original owners.

Anacostia had always been part of the District of Columbia. In 1878, it officially became part of the city of Washington. On January 27, 1886, a committee in the House of Representatives voted to change Uniontown's name to Anacostia. Both the House and Senate agreed. The name change happened on April 22, 1886. At that time, property rules meant only white people could own land, so Anacostia had only white residents.

The opening of the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge in 1890 helped connect Anacostia more closely to the rest of Washington, D.C.

The Great Depression and Bonus Army

In 1932, during the Great Depression, many World War I veterans were out of work. They marched to Washington to ask for a bonus payment they had been promised. This event is known as the Bonus Army Conflict. Most of the Bonus Army camped on Anacostia Flats. This was a wet, muddy area along the Anacostia River. Today, this area is part of Anacostia Park.

The President ordered the military to clear the campers from Washington. The Army Chief of Staff, General Douglas MacArthur, led the effort. He went across the bridge to Anacostia and cleared the veterans' camp. George Patton and Dwight Eisenhower also served under MacArthur during these events.

Changes After World War II

Anacostia's population was mostly European-American until the late 1950s and early 1960s. During the 1960s, the Anacostia Freeway (I-295) was built. This highway created a barrier between the Anacostia neighborhood and the Anacostia River waterfront. Many public housing buildings were also built in the area.

As many middle-class families moved to newer homes in the suburbs, Anacostia's population changed. It became mostly African American.

Today, there are not as many shopping, dining, and entertainment places in Anacostia. Residents often travel to other parts of Washington or the suburbs for these services. However, Anacostia does have an ice skating rink at Fort Dupont Park. There is also a police boys' club and a tennis and learning center. This center combines sports with help for schoolwork.

In 2005, the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) opened. It is a large center that helps children and adults. It has eleven different non-profit groups working together. Free summer jazz concerts are also held weekly in Fort Dupont Park. The yearly Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Parade is a big event along the avenue named after Dr. King.

In January 2007, a new large supermarket opened to serve the neighborhood.

Geography

Anacostia's main area is located where Marion Barry Avenue (formerly Good Hope Road) and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue meet. It is a well-known neighborhood in the Southeast part of Washington. It is located east of the Anacostia River, which gives the neighborhood its name.

Demographics

According to the 2010 Census, about 92% of Anacostia's population is African-American. About 5% are non-Hispanic White, and 3% are other groups.

Landmarks

The Anacostia Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It still looks much like it did in the mid-to-late 1800s, with smaller, working-class homes.

In 1957, a famous Anacostia landmark, the "world's largest chair," was put up. It is at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and V Street SE. The chair was installed by the Curtis Brothers Furniture Company. In 2005, the "Big Chair" was taken down for repairs. It was brought back in April 2006.

Industry

Important places in the area include Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling. This used to be Bolling Air Force Base and Naval Support Facility Anacostia.

Tourism

The Anacostia Waterfront Initiative started in 2000. It is working to improve a 45-acre part of the Anacostia River waterfront. The plans include many parks with restored wetlands and forests. There will also be places to tie up canoes, a playground, a 9/11 memorial grove, and an environmental education center.

The center will teach visitors about the history and use of the Anacostia River. It will be a two-story building with classrooms, labs, and a multi-purpose area. It will also have a green roof and nursery center on top.

Hospitals

St. Elizabeths Hospital (over 100 years old)
United Medical Center (formerly Greater Southeast Community Hospital)

Education

District of Columbia Public Schools runs the public schools in the area. Anacostia High School serves Anacostia. Ballou High School is in southern Anacostia. The area also has several middle and elementary schools. Thurgood Marshall Academy is located here too.

Culture

The Anacostia Museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, was started in 1967.
The Anacostia Arts Center and Honfleur Gallery are near the corner of Martin Luther Jr. King Ave and Good Hope Road. This gallery shows art from famous artists and local artists. It also hosts a poetry series.
The District of Columbia Public Library operates the Anacostia Neighborhood Library.
Cedar Hill, the home of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, is on a hill overlooking Anacostia.
The Anacostia Playhouse hosts many different events. This includes shows by Theater Alliance.

Transportation

The neighborhood is served by the Anacostia Metro station. It is a 10-minute ride on Washington Metro's Green Line from downtown Washington. Other Metro stations also serve parts of Greater Anacostia.

I-295 runs through the neighborhood. It connects to DC 295 further north. These two roads make up the Anacostia Freeway.

Gallery

The historic neon "Anacostia" sign at 1115 Good Hope Road SE. This sign is a traditional entrance to Historic Old Anacostia.
Houses on W Street, SE in Anacostia.
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE in Anacostia.
The intersection of High St. & Maple View Place SE.