Tag: WSIC

Fun with A.I. and the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company houses

So I asked an AI to look at the web pages for 14-42 O St NW and summarize them. AI is imperfect. It incorrectly believed the George Basiliko purchased homes in 1950. I can see where it got that idea in some of my posts. sigh.

From Grok:

The web pages from the blog “Truxton Is In Shaw” (blog.inshaw.com) detail the history of properties along O Street NW in Washington, D.C., focusing on the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) and its sell-off of rental properties in the 1950s. Each page examines a specific address (ranging from 14 O Street NW to 42 O Street NW) and traces the ownership timeline, primarily from the 1950s onward, using deed records and historical context. Here’s a summary of the key themes and information across these pages:
The WSIC, originally established to provide sanitary housing for working-class families in D.C., began selling off its properties in the early 1950s as part of a broader shift away from rental management. The houses discussed—located in the Truxton Circle area of the Shaw neighborhood—were typically sold to individual buyers or small investment entities between 1950 and 1952. Each post outlines the specific deed transactions, including dates, parties involved, and, where available, subsequent ownership changes into the late 20th or early 21st century.
For example:
  • 42 O Street NW (sold November 17, 1950) went to George Basiliko, a notable real estate figure, and later changed hands multiple times.
  • 40 O Street NW (sold October 31, 1950) was also acquired by Basiliko, with ownership details extending to 1981.
  • 38 O Street NW (sold October 31, 1950) followed a similar pattern, purchased by Basiliko and later sold to others.
  • Properties like 36 O Street NW (October 31, 1950) and 34 O Street NW (November 17, 1950) highlight sales to individuals or couples, with some remaining in families for decades.
  • Earlier addresses, such as 14 O Street NW (sold January 29, 1951), often note fewer subsequent transactions, suggesting longer-term ownership.
The posts collectively illustrate a post-World War II transition in D.C.’s housing market, where institutional landlords like WSIC divested properties to private owners, reflecting broader societal shifts toward homeownership. The author, Mari, uses these histories to explore Truxton Circle’s evolution, occasionally noting challenges in tracing ownership due to incomplete records or unclear deed references. The series underscores her focus on hyper-local history, tying individual homes to the neighborhood’s changing identity.

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Properties

Finally, we have come to the end of the WSIC sell off. If any Truxton Circle properties have been missed, please reach out. A total of 187 properties have been examined.

Below is a map of the properties in bright green.

Map of Truxton Circle with WSIC properties in GreenIt may seem like a small number of houses, but they are in the heart of the neighborhood and give Truxton Circle one of its distinct architectural features, the 2nd floor bay window.

WSIC-1950 Sell Off- 64 Bates Street NW

In lieu of a February Black History post, WSIC continues, because it is Black History.

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) was a late 19th century charitable capitalism experiment that ended in the 1950s. This blog started looking at the homes that were supposed to be sold to African American home buyers, after decades of mainly renting to white tenants.

Looking at WSIC properties they tend to have a pattern where the properties were sold to a three business partners, Nathaniel J. Taube, Nathan Levin and James B. Evans as the Colonial Investment Co. for $3 million dollars. Those partners sold to African American buyers. There was usually a foreclosure. In 1956 Nathan Levin died and Colonial Inv. Co. vice president Harry A. Badt took his place in the foreclosure paperwork. Then the property wound up in the hands of George Basiliko and or the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA). Then there were the odd lucky ones who managed to avoid that fate.photo of property

Let’s see what happens with 64 Bates St NW:

  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Evans, Levin and Taube sold one-half of 64 Bates St NW to Blanche M. and John W. Thomas.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas borrowed $3,025 from Colonial Investment Co. favorite trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 26, 1951) Evans, Levin, and Taube sold the other half of 64 Bates St NW to Charles and Charlotte Harris.
  • Dec 1950 Mr. and Mrs. Harris borrowed $3,025 from trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • February 1955 the Harris lost their half to foreclosure and through an auction it returned to Evans, Levin and Taube.
  • November 1961, as part of a large property package (doc 1962000416),  Badt, Evans, Taube, Nathan Levin’s survivors and their spouses sold the foreclosed half of 64 Bates St NW to Sophia and George Basiliko.
  • February 1963 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were released from their mortgage.
  • April 1978 Basiliko Inc sold half of 64 Bates to Bernard C. and Lenora E. Maddox.
  • July 1978 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas  sold their half to Mr. and Mrs. Maddox, bringing the home under one owner. And it remains in the ownership of a Maddox today.

So there was a foreclosure, which led to partial ownership by Basiliko. But eventually, one original buyer was able to pay off their mortgage and sell to a couple.

WSIC-1950 Sell Off- 66 Bates Street NW

In lieu of a February Black History post, WSIC continues, because it is Black History.

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) was a late 19th century charitable capitalism experiment that ended in the 1950s. This blog started looking at the homes that were supposed to be sold to African American home buyers, after decades of mainly renting to white tenants.

Looking at WSIC properties they tend to have a pattern where the properties were sold to a three business partners, Nathaniel J. Taube, Nathan Levin and James B. Evans as the Colonial Investment Co. for $3 million dollars. Those partners sold to African American buyers. There was usually a foreclosure. In 1956 Nathan Levin died and Colonial Inv. Co. vice president Harry A. Badt took his place in the foreclosure paperwork. Then the property wound up in the hands of George Basiliko and or the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA). Then there were the odd lucky ones who managed to avoid that fate.photo of property

Let’s see what happens with 66 Bates St NW:

  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Evans, Levin and Taube sold one-half of 66 Bates NW to Margaret L. Hickerson.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Ms. Hickerson borrowed $3,025 from Colonial Investment Co. favorite trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Evans, Levin, and Taube sold the other half of 66 Bates St NW to Alfred H. and Janie G. Moore.
  • Dec 1950 the Moores borrowed $3,025 from trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • October 1955 the Moores lost their half to foreclosure and via an auction it was repossessed by Evans, Levin and Taube.
  • November 1961, as part of a large property package (doc 1962000416),  Badt, Evans, Taube, Nathan Levin’s survivors and their spouses sold half of 66 Bates St NW to Sophia and George Basiliko.
  • February 1963 Ms. Hickerson was released from her mortgage.
  • January 1972 (docs# 1972020429, 1972020430) Basiliko and the heirs at law of Ms. Hickerson who died around February 8, 1971 sold the house to the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA).
  • September 1972 the DC RLA got the remaining Hickerson heir, Mason Alston, via John Mason Hickerson to sign over interest.
  • June 1980 (doc #8000020294) the DC RLA sold/transferred this and other properties to BSA Limited Partnership. BSA is possibly short for Bates Street Associates. It is paired with doc #8000020221 a contract between DC RLA and BSA Ltd Partnership.

There was only one foreclosure. Part of the property was sold to slum landlord George Basiliko. In 1972 Basiliko and a large party of people who were somehow connected/ related to the original buyer sold it to DC RLA, which then passed it on to BSA.

WSIC-1950 Sell Off- 68 Bates Street NW

In lieu of a February Black History post, WSIC continues, because it is Black History.

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) was a late 19th century charitable capitalism experiment that ended in the 1950s. This blog started looking at the homes that were supposed to be sold to African American home buyers, after decades of mainly renting to white tenants.

Looking at WSIC properties they tend to have a pattern where the properties were sold to a three business partners, Nathaniel J. Taube, Nathan Levin and James B. Evans as the Colonial Investment Co. for $3 million dollars. Those partners sold to African American buyers. There was usually a foreclosure. In 1956 Nathan Levin died and Colonial Inv. Co. vice president Harry A. Badt took his place in the foreclosure paperwork. Then the property wound up in the hands of George Basiliko and or the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA). Then there were the odd lucky ones who managed to avoid that fate.photo of property

Let’s see what happens with 68 Bates St NW:

  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Evans, Levin and Taube sold the whole of 68 Bates NW Clara B. and Edward Hazel.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) the Hazels borrowed $6,050 from Colonial Investment Co. favorite trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • April 1958 the Hazels sold the house back to Badt, Evans and Taube.
  • March 1959 the Hazels were released from their mortgage.
  • March 1959 (doc# 1959019387) Badt, Evans, Taube, Nathan Levin’s survivors and their spouses sold 68 Bates St NW and other properties on the block to Sophia and George Basiliko.
  • Between 1970-1972 Basiliko was released from a couple of mortgages and the next document has the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA) as the owner, so we are left to assume around 1970 Basiliko sold the property to RLA.
  • Around 1978 the DC RLA sold/transferred this and other properties to the Bates Street Associates. A contract (doc #7800024140) DC RLA and Bates Street Associates, Inc hints to a deed not listed.

So this was a bit unusual. After about seven years the original buyers sell the property back to the Colonial Investment Company, which then sold it to slum landlord George Basiliko, who then sold it (as far as I can tell) to the DC RLA who then passed it on to the BSA.

WSIC-1950 Sell Off- 70 Bates Street NW

In lieu of a February Black History post, WSIC continues, because it is Black History.

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) was a late 19th century charitable capitalism experiment that ended in the 1950s. This blog started looking at the homes that were supposed to be sold to African American home buyers, after decades of mainly renting to white tenants.

Looking at WSIC properties they tend to have a pattern where the properties were sold to a three business partners, Nathaniel J. Taube, Nathan Levin and James B. Evans as the Colonial Investment Co. for $3 million dollars. Those partners sold to African American buyers. There was usually a foreclosure. In 1956 Nathan Levin died and Colonial Inv. Co. vice president Harry A. Badt took his place in the foreclosure paperwork. Then the property wound up in the hands of George Basiliko and or the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA). Then there were the odd lucky ones who managed to avoid that fate.photo of property

Let’s see what happens with 70 Bates St NW:

  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Evans, Levin and Taube sold all of 70 Bates NW to Beatrice B. William D. Hunter.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) the Hunters borrowed $6,050 from Colonial Investment Co. favorite trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • January 1958 the Hunters sold the other half of 70 Bates St NW to Badt, Evans, and Taube.
  • November 1961, as part of a large property package (doc 1962000416),  Badt, Evans, Taube, Nathan Levin’s survivors and their spouses sold half of 70 Bates St NW to Sophia and George Basiliko.
  • December 1961 the Hunters borrowed $1,768.53 from Telsyndicate with trustees Martin J. Quigley and Robert G. Weightman.
  • May 1962 the Hunters were released from their January 1951 mortgage.
  • January 1975 the Hunters were released from their Telsyndicate mortgage.
  • April 1978 George Basiliko Inc sold half of the house to the widowed Beatrice Hunter.

So this was a mix. No foreclosures. Slum landlord Basiliko did own the property from 1961 to 1978. The family that was the original buyer managed to hold on and buy the other half back. Skimming the deed records, it appears the house remained in the Hunter family until 2010.

WSIC-1950 Sell Off- 24 Bates Street NW

In lieu of a February Black History post, WSIC continues, because it is Black History.

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) was a late 19th century charitable capitalism experiment that ended in the 1950s. This blog started looking at the homes that were supposed to be sold to African American home buyers, after decades of mainly renting to white tenants.

Looking at WSIC properties they tend to have a pattern where the properties were sold to a three business partners, Nathaniel J. Taube, Nathan Levin and James B. Evans as the Colonial Investment Co. for $3 million dollars. Those partners sold to African American buyers. There was usually a foreclosure. In 1956 Nathan Levin died and Colonial Inv. Co. vice president Harry A. Badt took his place in the foreclosure paperwork. Then the property wound up in the hands of George Basiliko and or the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA). Then there were the odd lucky ones who managed to avoid that fate.photo of property

Let’s see what happens with 24 Bates St NW:

  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Evans, Levin and Taube sold one-half of 24 Bates NW to Emma E. and Robert C. Rose.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) the Roses borrowed $2,875 from Colonial Investment Co. favorite trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 26, 1951) Evans, Levin, and Taube sold the other half of 24 Bates St NW to Joseph L. and Myrtle E. Terrell.
  • Dec 1950 the Terrells borrowed $2,875 from trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • December 1959 the Terrells were released from their mortgage and owned their half free and clear.
  • October 1961 the Roses were released from their mortgage owning their half free and clear.
  • May 1969 Robert C. Rose died.
  • September 1970 widow Emma Rose and the Terrells sold 24 Bates to the DC Redevelopment Land Agency for $10,800.
  • June 1980 the DC RLA (doc #8000020294) transferred many properties, including 24 Bates, to the BSA Limited Partnership (Bates Street Associates). There is an associated contract (doc 8000020221, looks complete) stating BSA’s responsibilities.

No foreclosures. Both original buyers were able to pay off their mortgages. But for some reason they sold their halves to the city.

WSIC-1950 Sell Off- 26 Bates Street NW

In lieu of a February Black History post, WSIC continues, because it is Black History.

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) was a late 19th century charitable capitalism experiment that ended in the 1950s. This blog started looking at the homes that were supposed to be sold to African American home buyers, after decades of mainly renting to white tenants.

Looking at WSIC properties they tend to have a pattern where the properties were sold to a three business partners, Nathaniel J. Taube, Nathan Levin and James B. Evans as the Colonial Investment Co. for $3 million dollars. Those partners sold to African American buyers. There was usually a foreclosure. In 1956 Nathan Levin died and Colonial Inv. Co. vice president Harry A. Badt took his place in the foreclosure paperwork. Then the property wound up in the hands of George Basiliko and or the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA). Then there were the odd lucky ones who managed to avoid that fate.photo of property

Let’s see what happens with 26 Bates St NW:

  • December 1950 (recorded July 11, 1951) Evans, Levin and Taube sold 26 Bates St NW to Leon and Lucy M. Owens.
  • Dec 1950 the Owens borrowed $6,250 from Colonial Investment Co. favorite trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • September 1967 the Owens were released their mortgage.

The house remained in the Owens family until the mid 1990s. This is a pretty good story. No foreclosures or any of the other stuff that follows.

WSIC-1950 Sell Off- 28 Bates Street NW

In lieu of a February Black History post, WSIC continues, because it is Black History.

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) was a late 19th century charitable capitalism experiment that ended in the 1950s. This blog started looking at the homes that were supposed to be sold to African American home buyers, after decades of mainly renting to white tenants.

Looking at WSIC properties they tend to have a pattern where the properties were sold to a three business partners, Nathaniel J. Taube, Nathan Levin and James B. Evans as the Colonial Investment Co. for $3 million dollars. Those partners sold to African American buyers. There was usually a foreclosure. In 1956 Nathan Levin died and Colonial Inv. Co. vice president Harry A. Badt took his place in the foreclosure paperwork. Then the property wound up in the hands of George Basiliko and or the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA). Then there were the odd lucky ones who managed to avoid that fate.photo of property

Let’s see what happens with 28 Bates St NW:

  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Evans, Levin and Taube sold one-half of 28 Bates Street NW to Eva K. and John Bell Brown.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) the Browns borrowed $3,125 from Colonial Investment Co. favorite trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • February 1951 Evans, Levin, and Taube sold the other half of 28 Bates St NW to Henry and Mildred R. Larker.
  • Feb 1951 the Larkers borrowed $3,125 from trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • August 1953 the Larkers lost their half to foreclosure and the property returned to Evans, Levin and Taube through an auction.
  • August 1953 (doc #1953035098) Evans, Levin and Taube resold the foreclosed half to Edward B. and Mercedes F. Bundy.
  • August 1953 Mr. and Mrs. Bundy borrowed $3,556.19 from trustees A. Levin and Weightman.
  • December 1965 the Browns were released from their mortgage.
  • September 1967 the Bundys were released from their mortgage.
  • February 1972 the Browns and the Bundys sold their halves to the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA).
  • June 1980 the DC RLA (doc #8000020294) transferred many properties, including 28 Bates, to the BSA Limited Partnership (Bates Street Associates). There is an associated contract (doc 8000020221, looks complete) stating BSA’s responsibilities.

There was only one foreclosure and that foreclosure was sold to a household that eventually paid off the mortgage. Both households paid off their mortgages and then sold it to the DC RLA.

WSIC-1950 Sell Off- 72 Bates Street NW

In lieu of a February Black History post, WSIC continues, because it is Black History.

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) was a late 19th century charitable capitalism experiment that ended in the 1950s. This blog started looking at the homes that were supposed to be sold to African American home buyers, after decades of mainly renting to white tenants.

Looking at WSIC properties they tend to have a pattern where the properties were sold to a three business partners, Nathaniel J. Taube, Nathan Levin and James B. Evans as the Colonial Investment Co. for $3 million dollars. Those partners sold to African American buyers. There was usually a foreclosure. In 1956 Nathan Levin died and Colonial Inv. Co. vice president Harry A. Badt took his place in the foreclosure paperwork. Then the property wound up in the hands of George Basiliko and or the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA). Then there were the odd lucky ones who managed to avoid that fate.photo of property

Let’s see what happens with 72 Bates St NW:

  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Evans, Levin and Taube sold one-half of 72 Bates St NW to Gladys M. and Leon W. Lucas.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 18, 1951) Mr. and Mrs. Lucas borrowed $3,025 from Colonial Investment Co. favorite trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • December 1950 (recorded Jan 26, 1951) Evans, Levin, and Taube sold the other half of 72 Bates St NW to Elizabeth and Robert Anderson.
  • December 1950 the Andersons borrowed $3,025 from trustees Abraham H. Levin and Robert G. Weightman.
  • July 1954 the Lucas lost their half to foreclosure and via an auction it returned to Evans, Levin and Taube.
  • June 1959 in a larger property package the foreclosed have was sold by Badt, Evans, Taube, Levin’s survivors and their spouses sold 72 Bates to to Sophia and George Basiliko.
  • September 1961 the Andersons were released from their mortgage.
  • November 1971 the Andersons and the Basilikos sold 72 Bates to the DC Redevelopment Land Agency (RLA).
  • July 1978 there is a contract (doc 7800024140) between the DC RLA and the Bates Street Associates, Incorporated (BSA) There is no corresponding deed located, but the property was transferred to BSA.

One foreclosure which was sold to slum landlord Basiliko. One of the original buyers with the Basilikos sold it to DC RLA who then passed it on to the BSA.