Section 10-A2301. CONTEXT HISTORY

 

2301.1The first settlements in Rock Creek West developed along roads connecting the port of Georgetown to the countryside north and west of the city. One of the first settlements was at the juncture of Georgetown Pike (now Wisconsin Avenue) and River Road, where there was a toll station. John Tennally opened a tavern at the intersection around 1790, giving his name to the area now called Tenleytown. Several large estates were developed in the area during the 1800s, including the estate of Colonel Joseph Belt (named Chevy Chase), Major John Adlum’s 200-acre “vineyard” in what is now North Cleveland Park, and the Henry Foxhall estate in modern-day Foxhall. 2301.1

 

2301.2The C&O Canal was completed in 1843, and a parallel road (now MacArthur Boulevard) was constructed to the city’s water intake facilities at Great Falls. The canal prompted industrial development along the Potomac River and in the Palisades, including a foundry and several slaughterhouses along Canal and Foxhall Roads. The Rock Creek West area developed strategic military importance during the Civil War, when Fort Reno, Fort DeRussy, Fort Bayard, Battery Kemble, and other fortifications were developed. 2301.2

 

2301.3The area remained rural after the Civil War. The Potomac Palisades became popular as a summer retreat for wealthy Washingtonians. Land adjacent to Fort Reno, meanwhile, was occupied by former slaves who came north in search of homes and land. Their community, dubbed “Reno City,” remained until the 1930s when the District developed Deal and Wilson Schools, and the National Park Service developed Fort Reno Reservoir. Another community of freed slaves developed along Chain Bridge Road in the Palisades. 2301.3

 

2301.4Development in the Rock Creek West area began in earnest around 1890. In that year, Senators William Steward and Francis Newlands founded the Chevy Chase Land Company. The company was responsible for the extension of Connecticut Avenue into Maryland, construction of a trolley line, and the development of the residential community of Chevy Chase. Also in 1890, Congress dedicated 1,700 acres along the Rock Creek Valley as Rock Creek Park-defining development, transportation, and demographic patterns that would shape the city during the century to come. Other defining moments of the era included the groundbreaking for American University in 1893, and the start of construction on the National Cathedral in 1907.  2301.4

 

2301.5Rapid residential development took place during the early 20th century as the Rock Creek rail line began operating on Connecticut Avenue and electric streetcar lines were extended up Wisconsin Avenue and through the Palisades to Glen Echo. Many of the large estates were subdivided during the 1890s and early 1900s. The country estate of President Grover Cleveland for example, was developed as the Cleveland Park neighborhood. Much of the land owned by the Methodist church was developed as American University Park. Row house neighborhoods like Woodley Park, Glover Park, and Foxhall Village were also developed during this period. By the 1920s and 1930s, apartment construction was occurring up and down Connecticut Avenue, with structures like Cathedral Mansions (built in 1924) and the Kennedy-Warren (built in 1931) defining the avenue’s image as a desirable residential address. 2301.5

 

2301.6During World War II, the federal government razed the country estate of John R. McLean to build wartime housing in what would become McLean Gardens. The Defense Home Corporation built a mix of apartment buildings and dormitories for military personnel. After the war, the units were converted to private apartments and the dormitories were later torn down. The 30-building complex was converted to condominiums in 1980 and houses over 1,000 residents today. 2301.6

 

2301.7By the 1960s, the land use pattern was well established. Connecticut Avenue had apartment buildings interspersed with retail shopping areas. Wisconsin Avenue still had expanses of single family residences, but midrise apartment and office buildings were being constructed on some blocks. The development of Metro led to additional development in the 1970s, including the University of the District of Columbia and Mazza Gallerie in Friendship Heights. By the late 1990s, almost all privately-owned land in the community had been developed. In spite of this fact, much of Rock Creek West retains a small town character today. The area’s attractive and well kept housing stock, tree-lined streets, neighborhood-oriented shopping districts, and well-used parks and public facilities make this one of the most desirable parts of the city. 2301.7

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.