Wesley Heights: An Affluent and Historically Significant Washington, D.C. Neighborhood
Wesley Heights is a small, affluent neighborhood located in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., situated south of Spring Valley. Founded in 1890, the area boasts a rich history and a commitment to preserving its original architectural character.
Early History and Development (1890-1920s)
The land that would turn into Wesley Heights was originally part of a property owned by Georgetown resident John Threlkeld, known as Alliance. Alliance Farm was acquired in 1890 by a group of investors led by real estate agent John Waggaman and financed primarily by Charles C. Glover. The developers intentionally named the new area Wesley Heights to attract buyers affiliated with the Methodist church.
Waggaman and Glover similarly played a key role in the selection and purchase of land for the soon-to-be Methodist-run American University, located north of what is now Nebraska Avenue.
In 1892, Charles C. Glover purchased properties within Wesley Heights (blocks 29, 22, and 21) between New Mexico Avenue and 43rd Street, constructing his country home, Westover, on the site. Yet, in 1908, Waggaman’s estate declared bankruptcy, and questions arose regarding the financing and acquisition of Wesley Heights and other developments in Washington, D.C. Following the bankruptcy, much of Wesley Heights fell into disrepair, largely occupied by Glover’s Westover estate and a limited number of homes built by Waggaman.
Revitalization and Master Planning (1920s)
In the 1920s, Wesley Heights underwent a revitalization led by real estate developers W.C. And A.N. Miller. They purchased 80 acres of land and began constructing homes, also developing the neighboring communities of Spring Valley and American University Park. The Miller’s planned community was among the first master-planned communities in the United States, offering amenities such as shuttle service to the Wisconsin Avenue streetcar line and a community center.
Preservation and Modern Wesley Heights
Today, Wesley Heights is bordered by Massachusetts Avenue to the east, Nebraska Avenue to the north, Battery-Kemble Park to the west, and Glover Parkway to the south. Foxhall Road and New Mexico Avenue serve as the neighborhood’s main thoroughfares.
To protect the character of the original historic housing designs, the Wesley Heights Zoning Overlay was approved by the District of Columbia Zoning Commission on July 13, 1992, at the urging of the Wesley Heights Historical Society. This overlay requires current homeowners and new developments to adhere to specific building codes. The restrictions do not apply to properties on the former Charles C. Glover estate.
Wesley Heights is located in Ward 3 and falls under the jurisdiction of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3D01.
Historical Restrictions
Prior to the enactment of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, property records for homes in Wesley Heights contained clauses that excluded African Americans, Jews, and other minorities. A deed from December 1928 explicitly prohibited the sale of properties to individuals of “Semitic race, descent or origin,” including Jews, Hebrews, Armenians, Persians, and Syrians.
A Glimpse into the Past
In 1894, journalist Kate Field described the view from Charles Glover’s Westover estate in Wesley Heights as reminiscent of the Richmond area in England, noting its elevation of 400 feet above sea level and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Potomac River.
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