In the 1950's, as schools became desegregated and neighborhoods more integrated, many white residents began moving out of the District. Unscrupulous real estate agents used a practice known as "block busting" to frightened white owners into selling homes for low prices, which the agents resold at significantly higher prices to incoming Blacks.

In 1958 an organization, Neighbors Inc, was formed by residents of both races to foster stable, integrated neighborhoods. Members included residents of Takoma, Manor Park, Brightwood and Shepherd Park. They held social functions to get to know each other. They gained national attention as they fought successfully to get newspapers to stop using racial designations in classified advertising. And they helped to get DC's housing law changed to eliminate discriminatory practices of the major real estate firms.

Starting in 1964 the entire community joined together to fight the proposed 10-lane North Central Freeway. It would have cut a huge swath, taking hundreds of homes and displacing thousands of residents in Takoma Park, MD, Takoma DC, Brookland, and Michigan Park. People living along its path formed a coalition with national and local groups. Their rallying cry was, "No White men's roads through Black men's homes." Their unwavering no-compromise opposition was finally successful in 1970. Funds for the freeway were diverted into construction of the Red Line of the Metrorail.

Planning for Metrorail raised new concerns. The original plan for the Takoma Station, to be located in DC, called for the area around the Metro station to be rezoned for high-density development. It called for widening streets to handle more traffic and for construction of a 500-car parking lot. Area residents worked together again to oppose these drastic changes. A new organization, Plan Takoma, helped develop alternatives, including a public park and buffer area, retention of residential and low-density commercial zoning, a limit on parking to 100 non-rush hour spaces, and no change in the width of the streets.

In 1977, before the Metrorail Station opened, Plan Takoma was reactivated, leading to additional planning around the station. By the time the station opened in 1978, the community welcomed its arrival, bringing Takoma full circle to its origins as a rail commuting town.

Over the years, many of the fine old homes and buildings in Takoma were lost, some destroyed from natural causes, others razed for new developments. One of the most devastating losses occurred on August 17, 1967, when fire destroyed the Takoma Park railroad station, the most beloved symbol of Takoma's historic heritage.

The Cady-Lee Mansion at 7064 Eastern Avenue (Southeast corner at the intersection of Piney Branch Road) was saved from the fate of its neighbors that were lost for construction of modern apartment buildings in the early 1970's. Citizens successfully rallied to save this magnificent house, built in 1887 and designed by noted architect Leon Dessez. It was subsequently designated on the District's Inventory of Historic Sites in 1974 and on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Adjacent Takoma Park Historic Districts were created and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in both Washington, DC (1983) and Maryland (1973).

Takoma DC today retains its historical character, rich in cultural diversity, social and civic activism, small businesses, tree lined streets, sidewalks and parks, and variety of housing from small and moderately-sized bungalows to stately homes, big four-square houses, and art deco apartments. Attracted by the unique ambiance, families of economically, racially, and ethnically diverse backgrounds have made their home in Takoma -- an active community with its small-town charm intact, nestled in the northwest corner of the nation's capital.

By Loretta Neumann, NI Past President, April 2004

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