Day: August 7, 2006

More from the 1870ish to 1880ish DC tax assessment maps. These I believe are on microfilm at the MLK library’s Washingtonia Div.
Note the large plots. In 1880 square 519 was home to a florist’s greenhouse. Remember this was the edge of town.

You are going to need a map, because despite being within the Beltway and a short distance from the DC border, this place is in the middle of no where. It is in an industrial district of Edmonston, MD. The chauffeur was kind enough to drive me as it has no sidewalks, it is not pedestrian or bike friendly. You come out here you’re going to need a truck.
The reason why I wanted to come out to Community Forklift relates to my planned renovation. I wanted to see what some of my options were. The non-profit sells building materials that would otherwise wind up in a landfill. Builders, whomever, are encouraged to donate (tax write off!) excess. Community Forklift in turn sells it. It is sort of like a Goodwill for the Home Depot crowd.
There were some things outside of the building to take a look at, such as this big kitchen sink thing. There were a couple of them. There were some bathroom sinks that must have been taken out of a business as they still had signs on them saying that employees must wash their hands. I found the piles and piles of slate roofing tile fascinating.
Inside we found lumber, lumber everywhere. There were these big thick boards, beams I think they are. Modern beams, old school beams, beam-beams. Unfortunately, a fair number of them were short. Not as if they had no use. I was thinking one could make some neat simple rough furniture with these bits. Also in the “lumber” category was flooring. There was enough of the same type to cover a small room. In the flooring but not lumber realm were squares of vinyl and rolls of it too. Next to them were stone/porcelain tiles. Once again, small project stuff or you only need a few and it doesn’t need to be exact.
I didn’t see prices on everything. A few staff members we ran into apologized saying that they were still sort of new and haven’t gotten around to pricing some items. I remember several of the tubs were priced with masking tape at $150 each. Don’t remember the price of the kitchen sink, it might have been $150 too.
How does it compare to places like Brass Knob? Well it’s got the old without the ‘historic’ ant-tiki vibe going for it. Like BK it has interior doors, at $15-$25, exterior doors, french doors, glass door knobs, and old style radiators and radiator covers. Unlike BK, it has old washers and dryers and dishwashers. Old, without the historically true antique prices. Don’t get me wrong, I like Brass Knob and BK is in the TC.
There were a few odd ball things, one I really wanted, but my goal this year is to get rid of stuff. There was this army green stretcher/ cot for $15. It was so cool looking.
So would I recommend Community Forklift? Of course, I may go there if I can replace some of my current radiators with some shorter (there is a height problem in my house) ones AND if the ones at BK are too pricey. Maybe pick up some doors.