P Street NW
Early History: Georgetown has a varied history of successful industries and residents – Freedmen, presidents, dignitaries, and socialites, as well as Native Americans and slaves.
Algonquin Indian Nation settled in the area well before the first visit by Capt. James Cook over 400 years ago. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Anacostian tribe resided here, along the river.
Colonial Times: Founded in 1751, Georgetown’s original boundaries only extended north from the river a few blocks to Gay Street, now N Street. The western and eastern boundaries have remained the same. The first grant of land went to Colonel Ninian Beall. (Who had quite the storied history of his own). The second original landowner of Georgetown was George Gordon. Most of the original European landowners in Georgetown were Scottish. There seems to be no historical consensus regarding which George the town was named. It may have been to honor King George II of England or could have been named after one of the first two European residents both, named George.
Commerce in the 1800’s: As the tobacco industry continued to prosper, so did the residential community. Like most of the cities of the time, Georgetown was built with slave labor. At the time of the abolishment of slavery, in 1862, Georgetown had a sizeable African American population of both slaves and freemen. The NW corner of Georgetown became an established community of freedmen with its own shops, lawyers, and schools. The tobacco industry continued to grow until the Potomac river no longer became viable for river trade. A creative solution was found in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. The Canal become an important part of the city with families moving to live along the waterfront.
P Street NW: runs all the way from North Capitol Street to Georgetown University. P Street was significant back in the day. The P Street ford, located under what is now the Lauzun’s Legion Bridge, marked the farthest point at which ocean-going vessels could carry their merchandise up Rock Creek.
Where the locals go on P Street NW:
Rose Park: Originally established in 1922, but we think it was there well before that. The land was donated for children in the neighborhood to use for recreational purposes. Today, you can pick up a racket and play tennis, pickleball or shoot some hoops on the basketball courts.
A great place for kids to run off steam, walk the dog or have a picnic.
Click here for their schedule of events and farmers market information >>> Rose Park Schedule. Just one block from The Poppy Georgetown.
Apéro | Champagne and Caviar Bar | 2622 P Street NW
Stachowski’s Market | Sandwiches, Deli and delicious eats | 1425 28th St NW (corner of 28th and P)
Streets Market | Grocery Store / 2617 P Street NW
