BGuthrie Photos: DC -- Callboxes

DC -- Callboxes:

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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[1] CALLBX_160312_01.JPG	[2] CALLBX_160312_06.JPG	[3] CALLBX_160312_09.JPG	[4] CALLBX_160312_14.JPG
[5] CALLBX_160312_17.JPG	[6] CALLBX_160316_01.JPG	[7] CALLBX_160316_05.JPG	[8] CALLBX_160316_07.JPG
[9] CALLBX_160316_10.JPG	[10] CALLBX_160326_01.JPG	[11] CALLBX_160326_04.JPG	[12] CALLBX_160326_07.JPG
[13] CALLBX_160326_09.JPG	[14] CALLBX_160326_13.JPG	[15] CALLBX_160326_19.JPG	[16] CALLBX_160326_21.JPG
[17] CALLBX_160420_01.JPG	[18] CALLBX_160420_06.JPG	[19] CALLBX_160501_02.JPG	[20] CALLBX_160501_05.JPG
[21] CALLBX_160501_10.JPG	[22] CALLBX_160912_01.JPG	[23] CALLBX_160912_05.JPG	[24] CALLBX_160912_09.JPG
[25] CALLBX_160912_13.JPG	[26] CALLBX_161025_06.JPG	[27] CALLBX_161025_10.JPG

Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. CALLBX_160312_06.JPG: Forest Hills Neighborhood Art on Call Site of The National Bureau of Standards In 1901, the National Bureau of Standards began developing a large complex [of] 89 buildings on 70 acres [w]est of Connecticut Avenue near this site. The NBS was devoted to testing new materials and establishing industry standards. The NBS [ph]ysicists developed radio technology, which led to guiding airplanes with radio waves. This artistic work reflects the history of technological scientific research in the Van Ness neighborhood and natural beauty of Rock Creek Park. Artist: Anna Glist, Burke School
2. CALLBX_160316_01.JPG: Dupont Circle Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood Fire Fact | Sunday, February 7, 1904 Great Baltimore Fire, several DC fire companies answered Baltimore's Chief's urgent telegram, "Desperate fire here. Must have help at once." DC, responding by railway flatcar, was accompanied by New York City, Philadelphia and other cities. Fire Alarm Boxes such as this one (originally painted red) were installed in the District after the Civil War. Telegraphs transmitted the box number (top) to a fire alarm center. This system was used until the 1970s when the boxes were converted to a telephone system. By the 1990s, the callbox system had been replaced by the 911 system and was abandoned. The Dupont Circle area has always been racially and economically mixed. The Dupont Circle Citizens Association, predominantly white established in 1922, and the Midway Civic Association, predominantly black established in 1939, served their communities with overlapping boundaries. Among the area's eminent African Americans was Dr. Laura Killingsworth, a gynecologist, who lived in the 1500 block of S St. Barred from practicing medicine in all but the Freedman's Hospital and some small clinics, Dr. Killingsworth operated a clinic for black women at 13th and T Sts. Nearby, at 1530 15th St. (left), stands the modest home of noted African American artist and teacher, Alma Woodsey Thomas, who lived there from 1907 to 1978. In 1987 the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Artist | Eric B. Ricks. Originally from Liberia, West Africa and currently living in Dupont Circle, Ricks is a self-taught artist experienced in many art forms such as photography, painting, bookbinding, clothing and handbag design. His work is "a form of self expression that allows communication without words."
3. CALLBX_160326_01.JPG: Dupont Circle Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood Police Call Boxes such as this one (originally painted blue) were installed in the District after the Civil War. Officers on foot patrol used this secure telegraph system to contact the station, accessing the box with a now highly collectible "gold key." This system was used until the late 1970s when it was abandoned in favor of more modern communication methods. Theodore Roosevelt resided in a number of houses in Dupont Circle. Two still standing are 1215 19th St. and 1820 Jefferson St. In 1898, he lived at 1810 N St. (below, since razed). That year he led a volunteer cavalry called the Rough Riders into battle in Cuba as part of the Spanish-American War. He came home a hero, and was elected governor of New York State. Roosevelt only served briefly as governor before accepting the Republican Party's nomination as William McKinley's running mate in the 1900 Presidential election. After President McKinley was assassinated in 1901. Roosevelt became the youngest man (age 42) to serve as U.S. President. During his term (1901-1909), the combative and crusading Roosevelt promoted conservation by giving government protection to open lands across the nation. He battled to limit the power of large corporations and to strengthen the United States as a power in foreign affairs. By the turn of the century, Connecticut Ave. was changing from residential to commercial. A profusion of specialty shops drew upper-class patrons, and the promoters touted the exclusive shopping street as equal to New York's Fifth Ave. or Paris's Rue de la Paix. America's first licensed television station, W3XK, was established at 1519 Connecticut Ave. in 1928. Artist | Jordan Potash Jordan Potash, raised in Philadelphia, now resides in DC. An artiste and therapist, he creates expressive art rooted in Jewish spirituality. Designing sidewalk chalk murals around the fountain with friends was a great influence in this mixed media piece.
4. CALLBX_160326_13.JPG: Dupont Circle Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood Fire Fact | November 28, 1911 DC's first motorized fire engine was placed in service at Engine Company 24. Its engine house was the first to be built without a stable and manure pit. Fire alarm boxes such as this one (originally painted red) were installed in the District after the Civil War. Telegraphs transmitted the box number (top) to a fire alarm center. This system was used until the 1970s when the boxes were converted to a telephone system. By the 1990s, the callbox system had been replaced by the 911 system and was abandoned. After the Civil War, the area around Dupont Circle developed rapidly. If you look north to the hill on the horizon, you can see where John and Mary Henderson built their mansion (1888). As a senator from Missouri, John (1836-1911) authored one of the anti-slavery amendments and voted against the removal of President Andrew Johnson. Mary (1841-1931) built the first "embassy row" between 2600 and 2800 16th St., and gave the Federal Government the land that became Meridian Hill Park, but only after she had tried strenuously to locate first the White House, then the Lincoln Memorial there. At the northwest corner of 17th and P Sts. stood the Syphax Mansion, home of descendants of slaves owned by Robert E. Lee's father-in-law at Arlington House. The Syphax family has been prominent in DC education. At 16th and P Sts. is the Foundry United Methodist Church (dedicated in 1904, pictured at left), where President and Mrs. Clinton were parishioners. Artist | Supon Phornirunlit Originally from Thailand, Supon came to the U.S.A. in 1979 and settled first in Dupont Circle. His design studio has earned over 1,000 industry awards. He has written nearly three dozen graphic design books. Tour guide, map and artist information for all 22 boxes available at: www.DupontCircleCallBox.com
5. CALLBX_160420_01.JPG: Downtown Washington, 1801 by Anne Martinez
6. CALLBX_160420_06.JPG: Downtown Washington, 1801 This painting is based on the little-known 1801 watercolor "President House" by J. Benford, part of The White House art collection. Some art historians claim the large building on the right is not the White House, but Blodgett's Hotel, which was built in 1793 at Eighth and E Sts., NW. Interestingly, Blodgett's Hotel and the White House were both designed in the Anglo-Palladian style by Irish-born architect James Hoban, and would have looked alike. The building on the left is thought to be the first Treasury building on 15th St., built in 1799. The building in the middle was the Rhodes Tavern, located at 15th and F Sts., NW, also built in 1799. Together these buildings were three of the earliest found in the original capital city. Artist: Anne Martinez The repairs and restoration of this call box and three others were made possible in 2009 by the Rhodes Tavern-DC Heritage Society, Joseph N. Grano, project manager, with generous contributions from local organizations and businesses, as well as individuals from around the region. Art consultant: Anne Martinez, fabrication and installation: Gelberg Signs, painting and gold leaf design: Frank Arkwright. The 22-carat gilding of this box was made possible by a special contribution from PNC Bank. Art on Call is sponsored by Cultural Tourism DC, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the District Department of Transportation, and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Funding was provided by the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities, DC Creates Public Art Program.
7. CALLBX_160501_05.JPG: The Wallach School The Wallach School (54) Seventh and D Streets, SE Constructed in 1864, demolished in 1950 Cluss promoted the quality of urban life by designing enduring, beautiful school buildings for Washington's students, both African-American and white. His public schools in Washington enabled all segments of society, regardless of wealth or race, to experience architectural beauty and style. Before the construction of the Wallach School on D St. between 7th and 8th Streets, Southeast, in 1864, most public school classes in Washington were held in rented rooms and makeshift buildings. Mayor Richard Wallach envisioned a "school within the reach of every child" and yet a building whose beauty and elegance would instill pride and admiration in both students and citizens of DC. Mayor Wallach sought to change the widespread notion that public schools were for paupers. Wallach School reflected the most modern features of its day, with scientific ventilation and heating systems, a large assembly hall and covered passages to the outhouses. Wallach operated as a school until 1949. It was razed in 1950 and replaced with Hine Junior High School. The above was from http://www.adolf-cluss.org/index.php?lang=en&topSub=washington&content=w&sub=3.5.54
8. CALLBX_160912_09.JPG: Downtown Washington, 1801 This painting is based on the little-known 1801 watercolor "President House" by J. Benford, part of The White House art collection. Some art historians claim the large building on the right is not the White House, but Blodgett's Hotel, which was built in 1793 at Eighth and E Sts., NW. Interestingly, Blodgett's Hotel and the White House were both designed in the Anglo-Palladian style by Irish-born architect James Hoban, and would have looked alike. The building on the left is thought to be the first Treasury building on 15th St., built in 1799. The building in the middle was the Rhodes Tavern, located at 15th and F Sts., NW, also built in 1799. Together these buildings were three of the earliest found in the original capital city. Artist: Anne Martinez The repairs and restoration of this call box and three others were made possible in 2009 by the Rhodes Tavern-DC Heritage Society, Joseph N. Grano, project manager, with generous contributions from local organizations and businesses, as well as individuals from around the region. Art consultant: Anne Martinez, fabrication and installation: Gelberg Signs, painting and gold leaf design: Frank Arkwright. The 22-carat gilding of this box was made possible by a special contribution from PNC Bank. Art on Call is sponsored by Cultural Tourism DC, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the District Department of Transportation, and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Funding was provided by the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities, DC Creates Public Art Program.
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