Thanks to Greater Greater Washington for linking to my previous post! Most of the trends I discuss here did not take place so much during the 1940s. During the 1940s, whites were moving to the suburbs. By the late 1940s, the newspapers were already talking about Capitol Hill's renovation movement. However, Anita Rechler is talking about the dramatic shifts in the neighborhood during the 1960s. I knew that there was gentrification going on during the 1960s because Friendship House and other organizations were very concerned about it, but I had focused on the late 1970s when our block (in the Transition area of the map) changed dramatically. Now, I see how much changed during the 1960s.
Quite interesting. I lived on the Hill from 66 to 72 and saw how the displacement took effect. In the late 60s most working class whites left near SE, but they came back in large numbers for the churches and the bars.
ReplyDeleteOne point. I would add the destruction of SW's housing stock without any relocation also added to the volatility of housing in all of the surrounding neighborhoods.