Theodore Link Archives - Lafayette Square Archives

1954: Splendor To Ruins And Back

A most intriguing building in Lafayette Square, in terms of history and unused potential, is the German House at the corner of Lafayette and Jefferson Avenues. Its history is one of social groups, trade unions, entertainers and local politics. I’ve written extensively about the building and its stories, running from 1929 through the early 2000s. What you may not know is that another behemoth holding similar history once lay directly across the street. The Union Club condominiums occupies the site today, and its roots extend even deeper than those of the German House.

1880: Matches, Pianos and the Square

It’s a long way from the subject of matches to that of pianos. Maybe not so strange when taken through the long lens of history in Lafayette Square.

On Carroll Street east of 18th Street is a row of houses built from 2013 through 2015. They face an older row of houses built around 1872. The homes at 1717, 1719, 1723 and 1725 Carroll were designed and built for Augustus Eichele, who had 1727 Carroll built for his own use. The other three were constructed for his daughters. 1725 connected to 1727 through a passageway meant to enable one of Augustus’s daughter to tend him in his old age.