Marshall Heights DC: The Neighborhood Eleanor Roosevelt and Queen Elizabeth Both Visited

Marshall Heights has one of the most remarkable civic histories of any DC neighborhood — and almost nobody outside Ward 7 knows it. In 1934, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited and found residents living without running water, sewage lines, or streetlights, in structures built without city approval. Her visit led directly to the first infrastructure improvements the neighborhood had ever received. In the 1950s, residents organized and defeated national legislation designed to raze and redevelop the neighborhood entirely. In 1991, Queen Elizabeth II visited during the crack cocaine epidemic — one of the most significant royal acknowledgments of an American urban community in history. Marshall Heights has been building something real for over a century, largely without recognition from the rest of DC. The homes are there. The history is there. The community is there.

Where Marshall Heights Is

Marshall Heights sits in Southeast Washington DC, Ward 7, east of the Anacostia River. The neighborhood is bounded by East Capitol Street to the north, Central Avenue SE to the south, Southern Avenue to the east, and Benning Road SE to the west. It sits on elevated ground — the name reflects the terrain — giving it views and a physical separation from the lower-lying neighborhoods near the river.

Named after the colonial-era Marshall family who owned land in the area, the neighborhood was rural farmland into the early 20th century. Most residents live without direct Metro access — the closest stations are Benning Road and Capitol Heights on the Blue Line, requiring bus connections. Most residents drive.

The History Worth Knowing

Eleanor Roosevelt’s 1934 Visit — Marshall Heights gained nationwide attention when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited in 1934 and found an African American community living in shanty structures without running water, sewage lines, or streetlights. Roosevelt was appalled by the conditions and publicly advocated for federal investment in the neighborhood. Her visit directly led to the infrastructure improvements — water, sewage, electricity — that the neighborhood had been denied for decades.

The 1950s Fight for Survival — In the 1950s, national legislation was proposed that would have razed Marshall Heights and displaced its residents for redevelopment. The community organized, fought back, and defeated the legislation. This is a neighborhood that has defended its right to exist against powerful opposition — and won.

World War II Veterans — Many of Marshall Heights’ homes were built specifically for returning Black World War II veterans — men who had served their country and returned to a segregated city where homeownership east of the Anacostia was one of the few options available to them. The brick duplexes and Cape Cods that line the neighborhood’s streets were built by and for these veterans and their families. Their descendants are still here.

Queen Elizabeth II’s 1991 Visit — During a state visit to the United States at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic, Queen Elizabeth II made a point of visiting Marshall Heights — a gesture of acknowledgment to a community that the rest of Washington had largely abandoned. The visit was significant enough to become part of the neighborhood’s permanent identity.

The Architecture

Marshall Heights’ housing stock reflects its development history — a mix of brick duplexes originally built for Black World War II veterans, Cape Cods, Colonial-style single-family homes, bungalows, garden apartment complexes, and newer two-story houses built as the neighborhood developed through the second half of the 20th century. Most homes date from 1940 through 1969, with additional development through the 1990s.

The neighborhood is primarily owner-occupied — a reflection of the homeownership ethos that drove its original development and the multigenerational families who have stayed. Housing prices are significantly lower than comparable properties in northwest DC, making Marshall Heights one of the more accessible entry points to DC homeownership.

Marshall Heights Community Development Organization

The Marshall Heights Community Development Organization (MHCDO) has served the neighborhood for over 45 years — one of DC’s most enduring community development institutions. MHCDO built houses through the 1990s when private development ignored Ward 7, provided social services, and continues to advocate for affordable housing and economic development in the neighborhood.

In April 2026, MHCDO broke ground on The Waymark — a 109-unit affordable housing community reserved for families and individuals earning 30-80% of area median income. The development includes 22 permanent housing units reserved for individuals at risk of homelessness. MHCDO’s headquarters is six blocks from the new development — a community organization building in its own neighborhood.

Daily Life in Marshall Heights

Marshall Heights is a residential neighborhood in the most complete sense — daily life revolves around home, family, and community rather than commercial corridors or destination dining. The neighborhood doesn’t attract visitors. It supports residents.

Retail and restaurant access is limited within the neighborhood — residents typically drive to adjacent commercial areas. The Skyland Town Center development at Alabama Avenue SE is the most significant nearby retail investment bringing new options to the Ward 7 corridor.

The neighborhood’s community character is genuinely strong. Residents recognize each other. Multigenerational families share blocks. The civic engagement that won the 1950s fight against redevelopment and built MHCDO from scratch is still present — it just doesn’t make headlines in northwest DC media.

Quick Reference: Marshall Heights DC

• Location: Southeast DC, Ward 7, east of Anacostia River
• Named for: Colonial-era Marshall family
• Metro: No direct station — Benning Road or Capitol Heights (Blue Line) via bus
• Historic moment 1: Eleanor Roosevelt visited 1934 — led to first infrastructure improvements
• Historic moment 2: Residents defeated national redevelopment legislation in 1950s
• Historic moment 3: Queen Elizabeth II visited 1991
• Built for: Returning Black World War II veterans — homes still standing
• Community anchor: Marshall Heights Community Development Organization — 45+ years
• New development: The Waymark — 109-unit affordable housing, broke ground April 2026
• Housing price: Among DC’s most accessible — less expensive than 81.5% of DC neighborhoods
• Best for: Families, homebuyers, community-rooted living, Ward 7 investment