Pennsylvania Avenue

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Click for 1903 figure ground map of Pennsylvania Avenue Click for 1956 figure ground map of Pennsylvania Avenue

Pennsylvania Avenue was considered by L’Enfant as the most important avenue having the greatest width (160 feet) and the highest allowable building height (160 feet). This avenue west of the Anacostia River has three distinct segments. The segment from the Anacostia to the Capitol is primarily commercial with a build up of density from east to west. The most well known segment is from the Capitol to the Whitehouse, the ceremonial route of presidential inaugurations. The segment from the Whitehouse to Rock Creek is institutional and commercial. Thus the avenue is episodic in nature, lacking in continuity and characterized by density variations. This design analysis of Pennsylvania Avenue focuses on its evolution in the twentieth century. Figure ground drawings, based on Baist and Sanborn maps, have been produced for 1903, 1954 and 1998. Their analysis reveals the dramatic changes that have occurred in building use, scale and form. Historical photos are included where available. The current status of the avenue is discussed in greater depth with photographic documentation on a block by block basis. Research for the Pennsylvania Avenue section of this web site was produced by students in the Design of Cities course during Fall 1998. Amy Phillips and Charles McCrudden developed the web site with diligence and sophistication during  Spring 1999.