Captain William Benning a man of vision and ambition arrived from Virginia. He purchased 330 acres of land. This land would become the foundation of the Benning neighborhood we see today. The year was the late 18th century. His legacy however extends far beyond simple land ownership.
Benning’s impact on this area is undeniable. He saw the potential of the Anacostia River. He acquired a toll bridge around 1830. This was one of the earliest crossings over the river. The bridge became known as Benning Bridge. His road “Benning’s Road” appeared on maps by 1861. It became a vital route in and out of the District.
The area transformed significantly over time. The Army Corps of Engineers dredged the Anacostia. They used the material to create Kingman Island and Kingman Lake. Benning Road was initially a causeway across the mudflats. Then a concrete culvert was installed beneath Benning Road. This connected the two parts of Kingman Lake in 1929. Imagine the massive undertaking that was. 92% of the city’s electricity flowed under Benning Road at the time. The WB&A railroad also ran alongside it.
Benning Road faced other challenges. Railroad lines bisected it. The Philadelphia Baltimore and Washington Railroad and the B&O Railroad owned them. The Benning Road Viaduct and Bridge were constructed in 1917-1919. This carried the road over the tracks. It was widened in 1937. A second viaduct was added. The old one became the eastbound bridge. The new one became the westbound bridge. These were eventually replaced in the late 1950s and 1980s because they couldn’t handle the increasing weight of traffic.
The Benning Road over the Anacostia River was renamed the Ethel Kennedy Bridge in 2008. It honors Ethel Kennedy Robert F Kennedy’s widow. A nearby stadium is named after her husband. The Benning neighborhood has always adapted and evolved. Its story is interwoven with the history of transportation infrastructure development in Washington DC. It continues to thrive today as a vibrant and integral part of the city. The Benning neighborhood isn’t just a place. It’s a testament to resilience and progress. It is a place shaped by the vision and efforts of individuals like Captain William Benning. It shows the constant evolution of a city. It stands as a vibrant part of the District’s rich tapestry.