LeDroit Park's
Storied History
LeDroit Park is known for its rich history, 19th-century architecture, and deep connections to U Street and Howard University. One of the first suburbs of Washington, D.C., LeDroit Park was founded in 1873 by Amzi Barber, a businessman who served on the board of trustees of neighboring Howard University. Barber named the neighborhood after his father-in-law, LeDroict Langdon, but dropped the (c).
LeDroit Park was developed with narrow tree-lined streets, modern amenities, and unique homes designed by local architect James McGill. Originally a white-only neighborhood, LeDroit Park was gated with guards to promote security early on. In the 1890s, actions by students from Howard University and other neighbors led to the integration of the area. By the 1940s, LeDroit Park was home to many prominent African American civic leaders, artists, and politicians. Griffith Stadium, the home of the Washington Redskins and Washington Senators was also located in the neighborhood until 1965.
The Historic District
LeDroit Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The neighborhood was originally a planned subdivision of detached and semidetached houses designed by James McGill and constructed mainly between 1873 and 1877, with brick and frame rowhouses constructed in the late 1880s and 1890s. The LeDroit Park Historic District is roughly bounded by Rhode Island and Florida Avenues. on the south; Howard University on the west; Elm St. on the north; and 2nd St. on the east.
Historical Markers and Walking Tours
LeDroit is featured on two sets of official historic tours, which can be accessed just by walking around the neighborhood. There are 8 markers associated with the Worthy Ambition Heritage Trail and numerous plaques associated with the African American Heritage Trail. These projects were developed by Cultural Tourism DC with local and/or federal partners, and taken together, they tell the story of important people and places in the neighborhood and beyond.
Recent Events
The LPCA has sponsored several events related to the history of LeDroit Park over the years. They include:
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Historic Walking Tour (April, 2026)
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U Street Alley Walk (April, 2026)
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House Tour (April, 2025)
Further Reading
There are many fantastic resources to learn more about the history of Ledroit Park, the surrounding area, and DC more broadly. We’ve selected a few recommendations below - please contact XXX to add others.
Books specific to LeDroit Park and the immediate surroundings:
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LeDroit Park: A History & Guide by Canden Schwantes
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Shaw, LeDroit Park, and Bloomingdale in Washington, DC: An Oral History by Shilpi Malinokski
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Black Broadway in Washington, DC by Briana Thomas
Books about history in DC:
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Dream City: Race, Power, and the Decline/Revival? of Washington, D.C. Anniversary Edition by Harry S. Jaffe & Tom Sherwood
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Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation's Capital by Chris Myers Asch & George Derek Musgrove
