City Within a City
— Greater U Street Heritage Trail —
They found a lobby with fine rugs and potted palms, a richly decorated dining room, comfortable rooms, and convenience shops on the first floor.
The Whitelaw was the creation of African America business entrepreneur John Whitelaw Lewis, who also built the Industrial Bank building on U Street. A former construction worker turned builder and financier, he raised the funds for its construction, and hired a Black builder and Isaiah T. Hatton, a Black architect, to make it a reality. Its restaurant/ballroom was a favorite choice for elite dinner parties and dances. The clientele included many of the famous of the day - Cab Calloway, Joe Louis, and the neighborhood's own native son, Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington.
Duke Ellington lived on this block from age 11 to 18 - at 1806 13th Street, from 1910 to 1914, and across the street from 1910 to 1914, and across the street at 1816 13th Street from 1915 to 1917. While living here he chose music over baseball, soaking up the varied and rich musical traditions of the neighborhood. He was inspired and taught by his gifted teacher at Armstrong High School, Henry Grant, by traveling pianists hanging out in the local pool halls, by choirs and soloists in the neighborhood's many churches, and by teachers at the Washington Conservatory of Music and School of Expression at 9th and T Streets.
Ellington left for better opportunities in New York in 1923, but frequently returned to play the Howard Theater and other clubs in his old neighborhood, where his talent and magnificent style made him the hometown favorite. The Whitelaw Hotel, where he sometimes stayed while visiting here, has now been converted into affordable apartments by Manna, Inc. Its ballroom with stained glass ceiling has been restored to its former grandeur, and continues to be a community gathering place.
Photo captions, front:
[Upper right] Duke Ellington, seen here playing the Howard Theater in the 1930s, stayed at the Whitelaw Hotel (Photograph by Robert H. McNeil). At left is an ad for his band about 1920, before he moved to New York (Henry P. Whitehead Collection).
[Right middle] Page from the Whitelaw Hotel register with Duke Ellington's name [1929]. (The Historical Society of Washington, DC.).
[Lower left] A woman seated in the Whitelaw Hotel lobby in the 1920s. At right, cooks prepare meals for the Whitelaw dining room. (The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.)
[Lower middle] Invitation to party at the Whitelaw Hotel [1936]. (Adelaide J. Robinson).
[Lower right] Announcement for "Saturday Evening Supper Dances", and ticket for "First Annual Spring Frolic" [1941]. (Henry R. Whitehead Collection).
Photo caption on reverse:
The Whitelaw Hotel's fine dining room, seen here in the 1920s, served residents as well as members of the community. (The Historical Society of Washington, D.C.)
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