Box #19
Box Location:
NE corner 17 & U Sts.

View Box Location
on Map

You are in the “Strivers’ Section” of Washington, DC. The name derives from the area’s longstanding association with leading individuals and institutions in the African American community. Beginning in the 1870s, this area has been associated with many prominent African American leaders in business, education, politics, and government. Leading the list is Frederick Douglass, world-renowned abolitionist, orator, and writer. Douglass owned the Second Empire style row of houses located at 2000-2008 17th St., (left) built in 1875-76. James E. Storum, an educator and entrepreneur who founded the Capital Savings Bank, the city‘s first African American-owned bank, lived at 2004 17th St. Calvin Brent, a noted architect, lived on V St. James C. Dacy, editor, and DC Recorder of Deeds, lived in the area between 1904 and 1910.

Architecturally, Strivers’ is characterized by late-19th and early-20th-century row houses. The Edwardian 1700 blocks of T and U Sts. remain architectural focal points in the district.

This call box is sponsored by:
Results, The Gym

Urban planner  Steven Stichter’s  relief prints (wood- and linoleum-block, letterpress) and improvisational quilts often depict Washington residential architecture and scenes.

More info: Artist website

POLICE CALL BOXES such as this one (originally painted blue) were installed in the District after the Civil War. Officers on foot patrol used this secure telegraph system to contact the station, accessing the box with a now highly collectible “gold key.” This system was used until the late 1970s when it was abandoned in favor of more modern communication methods.

This community project is also supported by Dupont Circle Citizens Association and The Dupont Circle Conservancy, Inc. and generous donations from community residents and businesses.

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