Month: June 2022

Scoping a comparison block- Black v White

I have an idea. I would like to compare the land records I have been seeing in my series of Black Home Owners of Truxton Circle with that of white home owners. I would start with the 1930 census because that is when redlining starts. Also the DC Recorder of Deeds online records start around 1921, and I like having a buffer.

The Truxton Circle block will be Square 509E. Why? Because I used to live there. Also It’s not as big as Squares 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 615, 616, or 617. The small and more manageable blocks are 519, 550, 553W (maybe), 554W, and 618.

So what’s the deal with Square 509E? In the 1940 Census it was 100% Black, had 67 occupied units, and 10% was owner occupied. In the 1950 census, still all Black, 69 units were occupied and the home ownership rate was up to 28%.

The 1950 Census the last and most recent open census, and that is where I’ll stop. Also after 1950 DC experienced white flight, particularly a loss of its white working class and poor. As of this time, the District does not have any white working class neighborhoods.

So I started looking for a 90-100% white comparison block. I was looking for something in Old City. I wanted something with an older housing stock, with row houses/ townhomes. To make it easier on me, no big blocks. I wanted to avoid blocks with large apartment buildings, so that eliminated most of Dupont Circle. Many Logan Circle blocks got kicked out of the running because many blocks did not remain 90%+ white by 1950. I really wanted to keep Shaw blocks finding 90%+ white blocks.

So here are my possible candidates:

Square 980N (Census tract 84, ED 720)- This NE block along Florida Ave in 1950 was 95% white, and 45% owner occupied with only 20 occupied units.

Square 984 (Census tract 81, ED761?)- This block is at E and 11st Sts NE was 90% white, 33% owner occupied with 62 occupied units.

Square 966 (Census tract 81, ED 767)- This Lincoln Park block was 100% white, 23% owner occupied with 40 units.

Square 765 (Census tract 65, ED374)- This Capitol Hill block was 96% white, 32% owner occupied with 54 units.

Square 1255 (Census tract 2, ED564)- This Georgetown block along Wisconsin Ave NW was 98% white, 31% owner occupied with 64 units.

So 980N got eliminated first because I couldn’t find the square on the Library of Congress map site. It seemed to have gotten left off and I need the real estate maps because lot numbers change.

Square 1255 in Georgetown is going to be set aside because the occupations I am seeing appear to be very upper middle class. The Truxton Circle block is more working class and I don’t want to compare it to a block that is more managerial and richer.

Squares 984, 966, and 765 are great contenders because they have several working class residents. There is the odd doctor on the block. Fair enough, 509E had a Dr.

Next, collect the info.

WSIC-Newspaper Search part 4

This is a continuation of parts 1, 2& 3. I search the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America site for newspaper articles about the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) and Truxton Circle. When the WSIC ceased operations they began off loading properties via auction in the 1950s. 

For Rent- Flats— The evening times. [volume], November 27, 1897, Page 3. “FOR RENT Sanitary Flats for white tenants only; Bates St., between P and Q, N. Capitol and 1st sts. nw.; 3-4 rooms; baths; cellar; separate entrance and yards; modern improvements; price, $10 to $12.50; erected by WASHINGTON SANITARY IMPROVEMENT Co. office 1819 Q st. nw. 8-9 a.m 12-1:30.4-7 p.m.”

Building Permits Issued– Evening star. [volume], July 16, 1901, Page 2.  “Washington Sanitary Improvement Company, four two-story brick flats, 47 to 53 Bates street northwest; cost. $15,000.”

Real Estate Transfers– Evening star. [volume], February 28, 1903, Page 3. “Third and Q streets northwest-Marie C. Eustis to George M. Sternberg et al., trustees for Washington Sanitary Improvement Co., lots 15 to 23, square 552; $32,174.95.”

Building Permits Issued– Evening star. [volume], June 21, 1906, Page 3. “To the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company for three two-story brick dwellings at 200 to 204 Bates street northwest; architect. A. P. Clark, Jr.; builder, Thomas H. Melton; estimated cost, $11,500.
To the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company for three two-story brick dwellings at 201 and 235 P street northwest; architect, A. P. Clark, Jr.; builder, Thomas H. Melton; estimated cost, $11,500.”

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], June 05, 1953, Page C-5.   Evening star. [volume], June 15, 1953, Page B-11. Auction of 220A Bates Street NW ($8000).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], December 03, 1953, Page C-4; Evening star. [volume], December 12, 1953, Page A-13 .  Auction of 56A Bates Street NW ($7500).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], June 16, 1954, Page C-6. Auction of 220A Q Street NW ($7750), 212a Bates Street NW ($7750), and 121 Bates Street NW ($7500).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], July 02, 1954, Page B-12. Auction of 54 Bates Street NW ($7500).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], September 14, 1954, Page C-4. Auction of 60 Bates Street NW ($7750).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], April 16, 1955, Page A-15. Auction of 22A O Street NW ($7500).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], August 13, 1955, Page B-8. Auction of 211A Bates Street NW ($7750), 221 P Street NW ($8000), and 239 Que Street NW ($1788.54)

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– –Evening star. [volume], May 12, 1956, Page A-15. Auction of 1519 Third Street NW ($7750), and 205 P Street NW ($8000).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], June 16, 1956, Page A-15. Auction of 27A Bates Street NW ($7500).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], June 21, 1956, Page B-12. Auction of 18A O Street NW ($7500) and 27A Bates Street NW ($7500).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], September 08, 1956, Page A-14 . Auction of 34A Bates Street NW ($7500) and 55 Bates Street NW ($7750).

1930 Black Home Owners of Truxton Circle: William H. Coates- 112 Florida Ave NW

Back to the 1930 Census and looking for an African American TC home owner and the next person is William H. Coates of 112 FL Ave NW (0551 0178). The DC General Assessment for 1933-1934 confirms that William H. and Mamie Coates were owners of a 2,100 sq ft structure at that address.

I couldn’t find a lot of info about the Coates. It appears they married late in life. William, then, 58, married Mamie Thompson, aged 34, in September 1920.

Since Ancestry isn’t providing a lot of info, to the Recorder of Deeds we go. July 9, 1923 William H. and Mamie D. Coates came into possession of 112 Florida Avenue from Clarence M. Deveile. Deveile was very involved with the neighboring property at 114 Florida Avenue NW.

The next document, a May 1926 release, is quite revealing.  In 1920 the then widow Mamie Thompson, borrowed an unknown amount from Deveile. Looking a few documents back it appears, she used Deveile to do that weird deed thing where she placed her husband, William Coates, on the property in 1923.

In 1926 the Coates borrowed $3000 from the Perpetual Building Association. Again in 1933, they borrowed $2,800 from the Perpetual Building Association.  That year they pay off their 1926 debt.

It appears they sell the property to Carrie E. Walker (not Carrie G. Walker) on April 20, 1934. Deveile was a witness on this paperwork.

I did a newspaper search for 112 Florida Ave from 1923-1934 and came up with the following:

1924 Income Tax Paid by District Residents– Evening star. [volume], September 10, 1925, Page 34. James H. Coates, 112 Florida avenue $2.10.

Situations–Domestic– Evening star. [volume], February 12, 1924, Page 25. “WOMAN wants place with small family stay nights. 112 Florida ave. n.w.”