Historic Photos - Near Southeast Washington DC Redevelopment/Revitalization

An overhead view from 1939 of the western portion of Near Southeast. The grand South Capitol Street that we know today doesn't exist here, but would run horizontally through the middle of the photo. Virginia Avenue is at far left (remember, this is before the freeway was built); then the railyards (now the location of 70/100 I Street), which front I Street. You can see the old white warehouse at upper left which today is the parking lot at 2nd and H. The streets from left are Virginia Ave., I Street, K Street, L Street, M Street, and N Street, so the very far right of the photo is where the Nationals ballpark is being built. On the south side of M Street, you can see what is now the WMATA Southeastern Bus Garage. From the files of the old DC Alley Dwelling Authority, now held by the DC Housing Authority. (1939)

Another overhead view of Near Southeast from 1939, with M Street running along the right edge of the photo, and I Street and then Virginia Avenue at far left. Running across the bottom of the photo is the site of Canal Park. At the corner of 4th and M, on the site of what is now 300 M Street, is the original Van Ness school building, which operated until 1956 when it was replaced. The open field at top center is about where the new Marine Bachelor Enlisted Quarters' field is now located, along with the now-torn down Capper Community Center. This is all before Capper/Carrollsburg was built. From the files of the old DC Alley Dwelling Authority, now held by the DC Housing Authority. (1939)

Looking at the Navy Yard Annex and the Navy Yard from above South Capitol Street, in 1946. This shows what we've come to know as the Southeast Federal Center back when it had many more buildings, at the time when the Navy Yard stretched all the way to First Street. At the bottom left of the photo is the WMATA Southeastern Bus Garage; the rest of the lower portion of the photo is where the Nationals ballpark is now being built. Old Capper Seniors is at upper right. Capper/Carrollsburg buildings at left. From the Washington Navy Yard Naval Historical Center, where you can also view many additional photos and paintings of the Navy Yard through history. (1946)

Looking east on M Street, near 10th Street, circa 1949. The storage tank at right is believed to be on the Washington Gas site, so perhaps the cross street is 11th Street, with the brick wall at right being the Navy Yard. If you look at the photo above this one, the 1946 overhead view of the Navy Yard, you can see this storage tank. From the District Department of Transportation Historical Photo Archives; visit their page for a larger version of this photo. (1949)

Another overhead view of the Navy Yard Annex and the Washington Navy Yard, around 1960, along with the areas north of M Street. You can also see Capper/Carrollsburg buildings at left. From the Washington Navy Yard Naval Historical Center, where you can also view many additional photos and paintings of the Navy Yard through history. (1960)