Posts by John Muller — Contributor
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For whom the bell no longer tolls: Historic Anacostia
Even as we discuss living in space, vestiges of the past are all around us. Neighborhoods are have reclaimed call boxes, named restaurants after area founders, and installed heritage trail markers. Giving history center stage puts life today into proper perspective. Centuries before wrist watches or mobile phones helped us keep our schedules or Twitter gave us the news, sextons… Keep reading…
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Remembering Marion Barry
People around the nation who’ve never met Marion Barry nevertheless have strong opinions about him as a symbol of an era in DC, but he was also a man who touched many lives in many different ways. Our contributors look back at their memories of the “Mayor for Life.” Keep reading…
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A new neighborhood rises east of the river. Is it a sign of change, or more of the same?
An entirely new neighborhood is rising just a minute’s walk from the Anacostia Metro station. Nearly two dozen townhomes and apartments have sprouted at Sheridan Station, where public housing will become a mixed-income community. But will it be an economic catalyst for the community, or a new face for the area’s existing struggles? Keep reading…
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Metro savvy: There’s a free ride in them thar trash cans
Finding discarded farecards that still have money on them: It’s one of the oldest tricks in any late night Metro rider’s handbook, and for me, it’s been a go-to Metro secret since my undergrad days. I estimate that I’ve foraged over a thousand dollars worth of fares over the last decade. A friend and I once collected about $100 in discarded paper farecards… Keep reading…
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Anacostia residents feel “meeting fatigue”
In my half-decade as a reporter covering the Anacostia neighborhood I have attended nearly 400 meetings. On many occasions I’ve left one to run to another on the same evening. Some residents who’ve trundled through these meetings say there have been too many, with not enough results. Is there a better way, or is this necessary to get community input? “All these meetings… Keep reading…
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How Ward 8’s thoroughfares have changed since 1870
In 1870, the areas between the old city and the District line were still fairly rural. But many of the thoroughfares that shape the city today were already around then. Let’s look at the roads that connected communities in what is now Ward 8. Keep reading…
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Anacostia’s historic homes are on the mend
On Monday, more than a hundred people gathered in front of 2010 14th Street SE to cut the ceremonial ribbon on a new day in old Anacostia. This isn’t the only one; renovation is coming to a half-dozen historic yet decaying homes in the immediate blocks. Keep reading…
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Before the Anacostia Metro, there were these houses
Across Howard Road SE from the Anacostia Metro station, the DC government wants to develop a vacant lot for affordable housing. The site was not always vacant; to build the Metro station three decades ago, 11 houses were razed. Here is their story. Keep reading…
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In 1979, was your neighborhood “sound” or “distressed”?
DC looked very different in 1979. A map of neighborhood housing conditions shows just how much. In many neighborhoods in Washington now in high demand, 35 years ago the housing stock was in danger. Keep reading…
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A decaying Anacostia home gleams (and sells) once more
While many residential and commercial properties in old Anacostia suffer from decades of abandonment, one historic home, at 1354 Maple View Place SE, has been transformed and rejoined the city’s tax rolls. If the restoration can continue throughout the neighborhood it may forecast a new day in old Anacostia. Keep reading…