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| Photo source: Shorpy |
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| ca. 1930 Photo source: Shorpy A look at the venerable People's Drug Stores that used to dot almost every neighborhood in Washington, DC. This one was at 14th and U Street N.W. |
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| ca. 1925 Photo source: The library of Congress A streetcar motorman and other patrons line up at the lunch counter in the small but vital shop. |
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| ca. 1925 Photo source: Shorpy For an in-depth history of the People's Drug Store chain, click here. Items of note: Cash register, cigarettes, suspended plywood shelving, mosaic tile floor, elevated wood walkway in the center of 14th street.  A close-up of the same model of the National Cash Register Company unit seen on the counter top above. |
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| Photo source: Google Street View Today |
There's an important connection between these buildings: per Ben Gilbert's Six Blocks from the White House, the 1968 riots began inside the 14th & U People's Drug (w/the SCLC's Stokley Carmichael - whose office was next door - leading protesters in from the street to demand it close in memory of King.) It was one of the first buildings to be damaged, helping to clear the site for the Reeves Center.
ReplyDeleteHere's the corner in 1907 w/the Peoples, and the bank that was next to it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rock_creek/2843095023/
I have been eyeing that image hoping to find one that wasn't put on a xerox. Damn shame, it was such a beautiful building. Great history, thanks. I am hoping to do a site on just the old buildings that were lost in the riots.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to do a site on just the old buildings that were lost in the riots.
ReplyDeleteThe Historical Society's John Wymer collection is a good source for images of 14th St., NW north of Florida and of H St., NE in the late 40s and early 50s (have a look at their Emil A. Press collection for the latter as well.)