Then and Now: Reservation at New York, 1st, & O Streets, NE

Washington has over 500 reservations, many of which were photographed and documented by the National Park Service between 1926 and 1936. The term reservation refers to the small park areas originally “reserved” for use by the city of Washington and primarily located on or near intersections of major avenues or streets. These intersections often created wedge-shaped parcels that were difficult to use in any other manner.

The reservation at the intersection of New York Avenue, 1st and O Streets, NE, was photographed by the NPS on March 16, 1927. In visiting the same area today, the entire block minus the reservation is now a surface parking lot.