Anacostia

Anacostia is a historic neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C. in the United States. Its downtown area is found where Marion Barry Avenue (formerly Good Hope Road) SE meets Martin Luther King Jr Avenue SE. Originally called "Uniontown," Anacostia today has many interesting places, including shops, government buildings, art murals, galleries, a performing arts center, and a playhouse theater. One famous spot is known as "The Big Chair," and the neighborhood is home to Frederick Douglass's Home, now a museum and historic site.

The area is located right along the Anacostia River, which gives it its name. Most of the people living there are African American. Anacostia is bordered by the Southeast Freeway to the north and northwest, the Suitland Parkway to the south and southwest, and Fort Stanton and Ricketts Park to the east. The whole Anacostia Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Nearby, you can find the Fort Stanton Park neighborhood, which is home to the Smithsonian-affiliated Anacostia Community Museum. This museum is a special part of the Smithsonian. Sometimes, people use the name "Anacostia" to talk about all the areas of the city that lie southeast of the Anacostia River. The Anacostia Business Improvement District works to help grow and improve the neighborhood.

History

The name "Anacostia" comes from the anglicized name of a Nacochtank settlement along the Anacostia River. Archaeological evidence shows that American Indians lived in the Washington, D.C., area at least 4,000 years ago, close to the Anacostia River. Native groups like the Nacotchtank lived in this area and were part of the Conoy.

Captain John Smith explored the area in 1608, traveling up the river and meeting local people. Before European settlers arrived, these villages were busy trade centers visited by many Native Americans.

The core of what is now Anacostia was incorporated in 1854 as Uniontown. It was designed to be affordable for workers, many of whom worked at the Navy Yard. In 1877, the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass bought a home there, now the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. In 1886, Uniontown was renamed Anacostia.

During the Civil War, Anacostia was protected by forts. After the war, these forts were torn down.

In the 1960s, a highway was built that separated the neighborhood from the river, and many new homes were built. During this time, the neighborhood’s population changed significantly.

Today, Anacostia has many places for children and families, including a year-round ice skating rink and a center that combines sports with learning. There are also special events like a yearly parade in honor of Martin Luther King Jr..

Geography

Anacostia’s downtown area is found where Marion Barry Avenue (once called Good Hope Road) meets Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. It is a well-known neighborhood in the Southeast part of Washington, D.C., sitting right east of the Anacostia River, which gives the area its name.

Demographics

As of the 2010 Census, most people living in Anacostia are African-American, making up about 92% of the population. About 5% are from non-Hispanic White backgrounds, and the remaining 3% are from other groups.

Landmarks

The Anacostia Historic District is a special area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It still shows much of its old style from the 1800s, with buildings that look like they belonged to workers from that time.

One famous spot in Anacostia is a very big chair called "The Big Chair". It was put there in 1957 by a furniture company. The chair had to be fixed in 2005 but came back the next year.

Industry

Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling, which used to be called Bolling Air Force Base and Naval Support Facility Anacostia, is located in this area.

Tourism

The Anacostia Waterfront Initiative started in 2000 to improve a big area along the Anacostia River. This area covers 45 acres and includes plans for new parks, places to tie up canoes, a playground, and a special area to remember people who helped during 9/11. There will also be a learning center about the river’s history and environment. This center will be a big two-story building with a green roof, classrooms, labs, and more. The project is managed by the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation.

Hospitals

Anacostia is home to two hospitals. St. Elizabeths Hospital is more than 100 years old. The United Medical Center used to be called Greater Southeast Community Hospital.

Education

The public schools in Anacostia are run by District of Columbia Public Schools. Anacostia High School is the main high school for the area, and Ballou High School is located in southern Anacostia. There are also several middle and elementary schools, including Thurgood Marshall Academy.

Culture

The Anacostia Museum, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, started in 1967. It shares stories about the community and its history.

The Anacostia Arts Center and Honfleur Gallery show art from famous artists and local creators. They also host a poetry event called Intersections, supported by the American Poetry Museum. The District of Columbia Public Library runs the Anacostia Neighborhood Library for everyone to enjoy.

Cedar Hill, the home of Frederick Douglass, a famous fighter against unfair treatment, stands on a hill overlooking the neighborhood. The Anacostia Playhouse holds many events and shows in its theater, working with groups like Theater Alliance.

Cultural reference

The 2007 film Talk to Me, based on the life of Ralph Waldo 'Petey' Greene, features a character named Dewey Hughes who talks about growing up in Anacostia and learning skills to get through school. The movie is set in the late 1960s.

Transportation

Anacostia is easy to reach by train. The Anacostia Metro station is just a 10-minute ride on the Washington Metro’s Green Line from downtown Washington. There are also other Metro stations on the Green and Orange lines that serve different parts of Greater Anacostia.

The highway I-295 goes through the neighborhood and connects to DC 295 further north, forming the Anacostia Freeway.