Did you know that Buzzard Point wasn’t always known by that name? For a time, it was called Turkey Buzzard Point. Then it was named Young’s Point. Later it was called Greenleaf’s Point. Now it is known as Buzzard Point.
Buzzard Point sits at the meeting of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. It’s a peninsula and neighborhood in Southwest D.C. This area has a rich history. It has transformed over the centuries.
In the 17th century, Buzzard Point appeared on a map as Turkey Buzzard Point. Augustine Herman created the map. He was an explorer and early settler. By the 1790s, the area became Young’s Point. This was after Notley Young who owned the land. Soon after, it was renamed Greenleaf’s Point. James Greenleaf was a land speculator. He bought many lots in the new city.
George Washington wanted to use Greenleaf’s land for military purposes. In 1791, Washington and Pierre Charles L’Enfant chose the site. They wanted to build a redoubt. About 28 acres were acquired. L’Enfant planned a fortification. He marked it as Military District No. 5. The peninsula was a natural military site. By 1794, a one-gun battery stood there behind earthworks. The U.S. Arsenal at Greenleaf Point grew. It expanded from 28 to over 89 acres.
By 1803, the fort became known as an arsenal. Congress provided funds for more buildings. During the Civil War, new weapons were tested there. Breechloaders, Spencer carbines, and Gatling guns were tested. In 1908, the peninsula’s tip was called Arsenal Point. In 1948, Washington Arsenal became Fort Lesley J. McNair.
Buzzard Point remained isolated. L’Enfant and Washington hoped for bustling river traffic. Instead, the area remained rural. An early resident described it as wild. There were few houses and brick kilns. The James Creek Canal was a source of disease. It was often used for trash dumping.
In 1875, a survey found only 36 residences at Buzzard Point. There were also eight shanties and six businesses. The population peaked in 1894 at 323 residents. By 1940, it dropped to only 19 residents. The population was a mix of black and white residents. They were mostly working class. Farming was common until 1920. Then driving became the most common job. The neighborhood saw few outsiders.
By the 1910s, the area declined. Fields were abandoned. The James Creek Canal became filled with trash. Unpleasant industrial uses crept in. The city’s zoning system in 1920 designated the area for industrial use. The 1929 planning report envisioned railroad spurs and manufacturing. This destroyed the rural area. Railroad lines, a power plant, and storage facilities were built. Later, these facilities closed. New development began near the Navy Yard.
In the early 1960s, the Naval Gun Factory closed. Supporting businesses left. Planners wanted increased density along South Capitol Street. They also envisioned public parkland along the riverbank. A developer built two large buildings for federal offices. Pepco explored redeveloping its holdings. The Buzzard Point Planning Association was formed. Several plans were created.
The development plans collapsed during the city’s financial crisis. Interest persisted. In 2022, construction began on The Stacks. This is a two million square foot mixed-use project. It will include residential units, retail space, hotels, and restaurants.
The USGS identifies the tip of the peninsula as Greenleaf Point. It identifies another point as Buzzard Point. Today, Buzzard Point identifies the urbanized area south of M Street SW. It stretches west of South Capitol Street SW. It excludes Fort McNair.
In 2007, Pepco announced plans to retire the Buzzard Point power plant. In 2018, Audi Field opened. It is a 20,000-seat stadium for the D.C. United soccer team.
Today, Buzzard Point is buzzing with activity. It has transformed from an industrial outpost. It has become a vibrant urban area. It attracts young people to live, work, and play. Luxury developments like Watermark offer rentals and amenities. The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail provides space for recreation. The area offers diverse culinary experiences. Buzzard Point has undergone a facelift. It provides a visionary project for residents and visitors.