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Most Endangered Places
2003

Old Engine Company 6
Rutherford B. Hayes School
911-919 New Jersey Ave., SE
Carter G. Woodson House
Woodlawn Cemetery
Martin Luther King, Jr. Pub. Library
Anne Archbold Hall
St. Elizabeths
DC World War I Memorial
Uline Arena/Washington Coliseum
Corcoran Hunting Lodge
Capitol Park
Western Telegraph Company

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DC's Historic Districts

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Most Endangered Places for 2003

ST. ELIZABETHS (GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE)

2700 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AVE, SE

OWNER: DC CITY GOVERNMENT AND
THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

HISTORY
Established as the Government Hospital for the Insane in 1855, Saint Elizabeths has a long history in the treatment of the mentally ill. The site is composed of more than 300 acres in the Anacostia section of Southeast Washington, DC. To the north of the oldest of these buildings is a magnificent vista over the city of Washington and the Potomac to Virginia, a prospect that had been chose for curative purposes. The buildings to the east of Martin Luther King Ave., which are owned by the DC Government, are largely of the twentieth century and both sides have a campus layout with a succession of quadrangles, with curving drives between. There are just over forty contributing historic structures.

WHAT IS THE THREAT?
St. Elizabeths is listed as a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register, but not designated as a local landmark or historic district, and hence, it enjoys no protection under the DC Historic Preservation Law. The grounds were open to the general public until about ten years ago, but entrance to the grounds is now restricted. Currently, the DC Office of Planning is holding a series of planning meetings to explore the range of possible development scenarios.

DCPL’S RESPONSE
DCPL advocates for a comprehensive planning approach to development at St. Elizabeths including both campuses.

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