Congress Heights, DC

Congress Heights, DC

Prior to its foundation in 1890 by Colonel Arthur E. Randle, the area now known as Congress Heights was forest and farmland. It’s closest sites of interest were Civil War era military sites (Forts Greble and Carroll, and the George Washington Young Cavalry Magazine), the Government Hospital for the Insane (now known as St. Elizabeth’s Hospital), the Barry Farm housing development for freed slaves and the first residential neighborhood east of the river, Uniontown (now Anacostia).

Randle, a successful entrepreneur, took advantage of the new Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge (known now as the John Philip Sousa Bridge) and created the successful Congress Heights development, subsequently founding the Capital Railway Company and the Belt Railway to ensure easy transportation to and from Congress Heights. His financial successes resulted in his further developments in Southeast: Randle Highlands, Dupont Park and Penn Branch.

The D.C. National Guard and the US Army military reserve facility were installed in the area, and many of the early residents worked at the US Naval Research Laboratory and Gun Factory at Joint Bolling-Anacostia Base. However, following the close of WWII, the neighborhood saw a decline in vitality and remained somewhat neglected through the remainder of the 20th century. That time, however, now seems to be in the distant past as Congress Heights continues to grow, flourish and buzz with vitality.

Modern Day Congress Heights Living

Congress Heights, located within the Southeast quadrant of DC, neighbors the Joint Anacostia- Bolling Military Base to its west, and Anacostia and Barry Farm to its East. The Congress Heights metro sits on Alabama Ave, one of two of the major commercial streets running through the neighborhood. The other is Martin Luther King Avenue. Both boast existing and new restaurants, making Congress Heights one of the hippest places in DC.

The New Washington Wizards Training Center, officially called the St. Elizabeth’s East Entertainment and Sports Arena, houses the Washington Mystics and Capitol City Go-Go’s. Opened September 2018, the 4200 seat capacity arena brings an entertainment landmark to the heart of Congress Heights.

The Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) located on Mississippi and Southern Avenues, includes an urban farm, a community theatre, library, computer/learning centers, gymnasium and much more.

At the epicenter of the neighborhood’s urban development is the St. Elizabeths Campus, adjacent to the US Coast Guard Headquarters. Divided into two campuses, West and East, the campus will soon be home to the Department of Homeland Security’s new headquarters (which is planned to house the executive and operational arms of the department that are currently spread amongst 40 buildings in the DC Metro Area).The East Campus will also offer office space with Microsoft serving as the anchor tenant, making it the District’s new tech hub.

Location:

• Close to Congress Heights Metro
• A hop, skip, and a jump to state-of-the-art NEW Wizards Training Center/St Elizabeths Sports Arena
• Minutes to the NEW Headquarters for DHS-Department of Homeland Security
• Neighbors the Joint Anacostia-Bolling Military Base
• On a quiet, tree-lined street just off vibrant MLK Ave