BaancBlog

David Salter alerted the editor to an article in The City Paper on the history and preservation of the stables in our alleys. (Naylor Court used to be Naylor Alley.) It's by Ruth Samuelson and well written. It covers a lot of territory and she has done a lot of work. The writing reminds the editor of Linda Wheeler's writing for the Metro Section of the Washington Post back in the 80's and 90's. From the editor, that's a high compliment.

The reason that Blagden Alley and Naylor Court became an historical district back in 1990 was the stables and alley dwellings. The interiors of the blocks are unique in the District for their overall preservation (pace Snows Court and Hughes Mews). While the surrounding townhouses are interesting, the Gestalt* of the totality of the stables and other utilitarian structures on the interior of the blocks is special.

These structures weren't built to last. Just to be used, and modified almost on a whim, from being a stable to an auto repair shop to whatever. The fact that so many are still standing and in fact preserved, is our good fortune. Ms. Samuelson convers the complexities, and some of the players in the process rather well.

* It's the first time that the editor has managed that word in writing since college.