Cleveland Park: Washington's first suburb
A quiet residential part of Washington draws appeal to young couples, families and others who prefer more affordable living within walking distance to the Metro. Some call it “charming” and others suggest it's “boring," but its residents would prefer to keep the perception of both to maintain its boring charm. That's Cleveland Park, a tree-lined section in the Northwest quadrant north of the Zoo and south of the National Cathedral, a world of its own.
Cleveland Park was named in 1886 for President Grover Cleveland, who purchased a stone farmhouse in the area. Others built summer homes and mansions in Cleveland Park for its cooler breezes, a welcome change in summertime. In the 1890s, streetcars connected Cleveland Park to Washington and became known as a “streetcar suburb”; today, it is generally where the first houses begin to appear after Dupont Circle, creating the “suburb” in DC.
Situated between Rock Creek Park and Wisconsin Avenue, Rock Creek's main drag exists along Connecticut Avenue, N.W., where its Metro stop lies. A row of shops and restaurants lines the section, also one of the earliest strip malls.
The businesses cater to a higher income clientele who live in the area, from gourmet groceries, wine and upscale restaurants, to gift shops and the Art Deco Uptown Theater, which features the Rocky Horror Picture Show regularly. However, there's also a handful of utilitarian shops, including a 7-11 and CVS. The area is a welcome break from the downtown bustle, the tourist crowds at the zoo and the college kids of American University at the next metro stop.
Many of the homes in the area are single-family residences or converted homes into apartments. They tend to be cozy starter houses for young families in a variety of styles ranging from Mission Revival to Queen Anne and Georgian Revival. Because they tended to be summer homes, many come with front sitting porches.
Through the years, many notable architects designed homes in the area: Twin Oaks (where Alexander Graham Bell once lived), serving as the diplomatic mission for Taiwan, and Tregaron, which today is the Washington International School. Other architects built in the neighborhood, including IM Pei and Winthrop Faulkner.
HelloWashingtonDC Tip: The Cleveland Park Historical Society offers an annual tour of some of these houses.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
