MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
Scott Circle to Mt Vernon Square
11th to 12th Streets NW

Sanborn, 1904	Today	Cross Section

12th to 11th St, North Block	11th to 12th St, South Block

Historic row house development characterizes the northern side of the Avenue in this block. The row houses are in a degree of disrepair and provide opportunities for redevelopment and rehabilitation. Of particular note are the former Wisteria House at 1 101 Massachusetts Avenue and the John Nourse Residence at 1007 Massachusetts Avenue. The Wisteria House, which was named after the wisteria vine, was constructed circa 1863 by William Thomas. The two-story side hall Greek Revival structure underw ent various physical improvements, including the addition of a two-story porch and construction of semioctagonal bays, under both William Thomas and Gustavus Ricker’s ownership. The Wisteria House was demolished in 1924, and replaced by an apartment house known as the "Wisteria Mansions". Today the site contains the Burke Apartments, whose one-story dilapidated lobby leads to a series of high rise units.

Wisteria House, 1900

The John Nourse Residence, which lies east of Burke Apartments, is a three-story residence that was built in 1840 by John Nourse. Designed in a style reminiscent of the Federal era, the structure’s modest front porch and undulating front are its d efining features. Although the City Directories indicate a high turnover of owners, many of whom did not actually reside in the structure, the structure has survived as the lone example of pre-Civil War development along this section of Massachusetts Ave nue.