Rhodes' Tavern
Encyclopedia
Rhodes Tavern was the site of an historic tavern in the early history of Washington, D.C.
It was located at 15th Street and F Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C.
It was a polling place in first city council election, June 7 1802.
British officers dined there, during the Burning of Washington
.
It was the first home of Riggs Bank
, from 1837 to 1845.
It was the home of the National Press Club
, from 1909 to 1914, and was visited by Theodore Roosevelt
, William Howard Taft
, and Woodrow Wilson
.
on March 24, 1969
.
In March 1978, the United States Commission of Fine Arts
recommended demolition, while finding the Keith-Albee Theater
and National Metropolitan Bank facades historic.
J. Carter Brown
referred to Rhodes Tavern as: "the missing tooth in the smile of 15th Street."
In 1979, the D.C. Superior Court halted demolition of the Keith Albee building, but then allowed demolition of the interior. The developer said he would preserve the historic facade of the Keith-Albee theater building, if he could demolish Rhodes Tavern.
In 1981, the Supreme Court declined to review the District of Columbia Court of Appeals allowing demolition.
The White House curator, Clement Conger
, advocated restoration of the tavern, like Fraunces Tavern
, and Gadsby's Tavern Museum.
In 1982, a House Subcommittee held hearings about the demolition.
A ballot initiative to preserve the building, was approved by Washington citizens, in 1983.
City attorneys argued that the ballot initiative did not bar demolition.
Mayor Marion Barry
named seven people to a review board in accordance with the initative.
In June 1984, the D.C. Superior Court granted a preliminary injunction against a demolition permit.
In August, the D.C. Superior Court found the initiative to halt demolition unconstitutional.
The D.C. Court of Appeals blocked demolition, but required a $100,000 bond.
Warren Burger, of the Supreme Court
declined to stay the order by the District of Columbia Superior Court to allow demolition.
After the D.C. Court of Appeals lifted the injunction, demolition began at 1:57, September 10, 1984.
Wrecking Corporation of America demolished through the night to avoid further Court review. People collected nails and bricks from the demolition.
It is now the Metropolitan Square office building, phase II, completed in 1986.
The United States Commission of Fine Arts
recommended placing a marker on the site.
A marker was placed by the Rhodes Tavern – D.C. Heritage Society, on June 7, 1999.
The papers of the Committee to Save Historic Rhodes Tavern are held at George Washington University
.
A musical group the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours won a 2001 Wammie
.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
It was located at 15th Street and F Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C.
History
It was built in 1799, and operated as a tavern and inn by William Rhodes beginning in 1801.It was a polling place in first city council election, June 7 1802.
British officers dined there, during the Burning of Washington
Burning of Washington
The Burning of Washington was an armed conflict during the War of 1812 between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the United States of America. On August 24, 1814, led by General Robert Ross, a British force occupied Washington, D.C. and set fire to many public buildings following...
.
It was the first home of Riggs Bank
Riggs Bank
Riggs Bank was a Washington, D.C.-based commercial bank with branches located in the surrounding metropolitan area and offices around the world. For most of its history, it was the largest bank in the nation's capital. Riggs had been controlled by the Albritton family since the 1980s, but they lost...
, from 1837 to 1845.
It was the home of the National Press Club
National Press Club
The National Press Club is a professional organization and private social club for journalists. It is located in Washington, D.C. Its membership consists of journalists, former journalists, government information officers, and those considered to be regular news sources. It is well-known for its...
, from 1909 to 1914, and was visited by Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
, and Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
.
Demolition Controversy
The building was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on March 24, 1969
.
In March 1978, the United States Commission of Fine Arts
United States Commission of Fine Arts
The United States Commission of Fine Arts , established in 1910 by an act of Congress, is an advisory agency of the Federal government.The CFA is mandated to review and provide advice on "matters of design and aesthetics", involving federal projects and planning in Washington, D.C...
recommended demolition, while finding the Keith-Albee Theater
Chase's Theater and Riggs Building
The Chase's Theater and Riggs Building, also known as the Keith-Albee Theater is an historic building located at 1426 G Street and 615-627 15th Street, Northeast, Washington, D.C., in the Downtown neighborhood.-History:...
and National Metropolitan Bank facades historic.
J. Carter Brown
J. Carter Brown
John Carter Brown III , director of the U.S. National Gallery of Art from 1969 to 1992 and a leading figure in American intellectual life. Under Brown's direction, the National Gallery became one of the leading art museums in the United States, if not the world...
referred to Rhodes Tavern as: "the missing tooth in the smile of 15th Street."
In 1979, the D.C. Superior Court halted demolition of the Keith Albee building, but then allowed demolition of the interior. The developer said he would preserve the historic facade of the Keith-Albee theater building, if he could demolish Rhodes Tavern.
In 1981, the Supreme Court declined to review the District of Columbia Court of Appeals allowing demolition.
The White House curator, Clement Conger
Clement Conger
Clement Ellis Conger on was an American museum curator, and curator of the State Department diplomatic rooms, and the White House.-Life:...
, advocated restoration of the tavern, like Fraunces Tavern
Fraunces Tavern
Fraunces Tavern is a tavern, restaurant and museum housed in a conjectural reconstruction of a building that played a prominent role in pre-Revolution and American Revolution history. The building, located at 54 Pearl Street at the corner of Broad Street, has been owned by Sons of the Revolution in...
, and Gadsby's Tavern Museum.
In 1982, a House Subcommittee held hearings about the demolition.
A ballot initiative to preserve the building, was approved by Washington citizens, in 1983.
City attorneys argued that the ballot initiative did not bar demolition.
Mayor Marion Barry
Marion Barry
Marion Shepilov Barry, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, representing DC's Ward 8. Barry served as the second elected mayor of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1991, and again as the fourth mayor from 1995...
named seven people to a review board in accordance with the initative.
In June 1984, the D.C. Superior Court granted a preliminary injunction against a demolition permit.
In August, the D.C. Superior Court found the initiative to halt demolition unconstitutional.
The D.C. Court of Appeals blocked demolition, but required a $100,000 bond.
Warren Burger, of the Supreme Court
Supreme court
A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, instance court, judgment court, high court, or apex court...
declined to stay the order by the District of Columbia Superior Court to allow demolition.
After the D.C. Court of Appeals lifted the injunction, demolition began at 1:57, September 10, 1984.
Wrecking Corporation of America demolished through the night to avoid further Court review. People collected nails and bricks from the demolition.
It is now the Metropolitan Square office building, phase II, completed in 1986.
The United States Commission of Fine Arts
United States Commission of Fine Arts
The United States Commission of Fine Arts , established in 1910 by an act of Congress, is an advisory agency of the Federal government.The CFA is mandated to review and provide advice on "matters of design and aesthetics", involving federal projects and planning in Washington, D.C...
recommended placing a marker on the site.
A marker was placed by the Rhodes Tavern – D.C. Heritage Society, on June 7, 1999.
Legacy
The preservation battle was an impetus for the use of preservation law, by the Historic Preservation Office, for redevelopment in the District of Columbia.The papers of the Committee to Save Historic Rhodes Tavern are held at George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
.
A musical group the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours won a 2001 Wammie
Washington Area Music Awards
The Washington Area Music Awards are a music award for Washington, D.C. area performers, issued by the Washington Area Music Association . The awards are issued at an annual awards program....
.