I Love the New African American Heritage Trail
06 November 2007 11:20 PM | By Prince Of Petworth in Uncategorized
Apparently I’ve been walking by Duke Ellington’s childhood home almost everyday and didn’t even know it. I think it is the 1800 block of 13th Street.
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06 November 2007 11:55 PM | saf Said:
Have you gone down Sherman Ave yet to see Dr Drew’s house?
06 November 2007 11:59 PM | Prince Of Petworth Said:
Not yet. Where on Sherman?
07 November 2007 12:54 AM | Christina Said:
Dr. Drew from Loveline? I love that guy! He and Adam Carolla usedta crack me up.
I’m guessing you mean Dr. Charles Drew, though. Great man.
07 November 2007 10:37 AM | reuben Said:
Ellington did indeed live at 1816 13th Street. He is supposed to have written “Soda Fountain Rag”, his first composition, while living in this house.
The Ellington family also lived at 1212 T-which is right around the corner…
Ellington’s last DC residence was 2728 Sherman Avenue. After that , he moved to NYC… and the rest….. you know…
07 November 2007 11:03 AM | saf Said:
Indeed, Charles Drew – and it’s 3324 Sherman Ave NW (just above Lamont St).
07 November 2007 11:36 AM | bogfrog Said:
Well, let’s hope the Ellingtons had better soundproofing on their walls than we do. (Just in case he had a streak of inspiration at 4 am)
07 November 2007 6:13 PM | OTBerbur Said:
The plaque, at 1805 13th St., was put up within the past two weeks. Another highlight of the block, America’s Merseyside Terrier, lives a few doors up, but she (so far) does not rate a historical plaque.
07 November 2007 9:17 PM | poo poo Said:
it’s a bummer that dc tore down the place from his early days (right below u street and…. 13th – i think). on the upside, at least folks are starting to give value to dc’s wonderful and colorful history!
08 November 2007 1:17 PM | reuben Said:
saf- i am assuming you are referring to charles drew ( the house at 3324 sherman ave)?
both ellington biographies (“beyond category” and james lincoln collier’s “duke ellington”, along with mark tucker’s “ellington: the early years) confirm the 2728 address as ellington’s first purchased house, and the last place he lived before moving to nyc… there’s a plaque on the site. i had the privlege of attending the unveiling ceremony…. well, a lot of people did….