Mount Pleasant Community History

This stroll through D.C.'s village-like enclave showcases the neighborhood's rich history of civil rights activism, Central American immigration, and tight-knit community spaces.

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1. St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church

The limestone walls of St. Stephen and the Incarnation rise with heavy, angular blocks that seem to press against the sidewalk. Inside, the sanctuary houses a massive mural painted by Lucien Whiting Powell, depicting the transfiguration of…

2. Bancroft Elementary School

The brick facade of Bancroft Elementary School is punctuated by a series of tall, arched windows that reach toward the roofline. Built in nineteen twenty-four, the structure replaced a smaller schoolhouse on the same site to accommodate…

3. Ellē

The building housing Ellē features a curved facade of tan brick that follows the gentle bend of Mount Pleasant Street. It started as the Mount Pleasant Pharmacy in the nineteen twenties, serving the neighborhood for decades with a soda…

4. Lamont Plaza

Lamont Plaza features a circular paved area anchored by a mural depicting colorful, stylized sunflowers and local scenes. It serves as the physical intersection of Mount Pleasant and Lamont Streets, functioning as a community square for…

5. La Casa Community Center

The facade of La Casa on Mount Pleasant Street is marked by a mural of bold, sun-drenched colors that frame its entryway. Built in the late seventies, this building functioned as the first transitional housing center for Latin American…

6. Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library

The Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library displays a yellow brick facade with a wide, arched entrance that frames the sidewalk. Andrew Carnegie provided the funds for this building in nineteen twenty-five, following his mission to bring public…

7. Raven Grill

The Raven Grill features a distinct, boxy brick exterior capped by a faded neon sign that has blinked over Mount Pleasant Street for decades. It opened its doors in nineteen thirty-five, operating as a neighborhood tavern long before the…

8. Each Peach Market

Each Peach Market stands out with a cheerful, butter-yellow exterior and a small sidewalk patio that often holds crates of fresh greens. It occupies a space once known for more utilitarian shops, but today it functions as a community…

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Mount Pleasant Community History | Mira audio tours