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July 18, 2021 by routeonefunlady

Lewisdale: Blessings, Bricks and Pierre L’Enfant

A while ago, a dear bud asked me if I knew much about Lewisdale, her lifelong home. After all, I’ve been highlighting the Route 1 Corridor for five years now; surely I could wax lyrical about this nearby, tight-knit community sandwiched between West Hyattsville and Adelphi. “Durr, I know Lewisdale. It’s the home of Value Village, my favorite thrift store!”, I responded. “No, you do not know Lewisdale,” she said, meeting my internalized side-eye with a deserved, external one. And Yolanda Rivera-Quintanilla was right.

Lewisdale, Maryland

This fan of red brick homes didn’t know that Lewisdale’s streets are lined with brick Cape Cod bungalows and brick, two-story houses. I didn’t know that it’s home to the historic and beautiful Pallottine Seminary at Green Hill. Also didn’t know that it’s where the architect of Washington, DC, Pierre L’Enfant, was first buried. If all this is news to you, too, then carry on – because Lewisdale enlightenment is nigh.

Lewisdale Blessings

Yolanda shared that Covid-19 hit Lewisdale really, really hard. Many local families suffered both ill health and the unthinkable. Instead of just sitting tight, Yolanda enlisted University Park’s Dawn Nicholls and Pam Wagner, as well as a number of elected officials to help with installing a “Blessings Box” in Lewisdale. Named in memory of her sons Nicholas and BO Quintanilla, this Blessings Box is a place where neighbors can give and take as they see fit.

Yolanda Rivera Quintanilla standing by Lewisdale Blessings Box

Blessings Box located at 2100 Beechwood Road, Hyattsville

Brick Homes & Friendly Neighbors

Lewisdale was relatively undeveloped until immediately following World War II. Soldiers returning home needed affordable homes “as the Washington suburbs were becoming bedroom communities for the expanding federal workforce.”

white brick house

Example of some of the lovely bungalows in Lewisdale.

Lewisdale started as a working-class neighborhood and remains so today, according to Yolanda. She’s got neighbors from all over the globe who are drawn to Lewisdale for its diversity and proximity to DC.

Lewisdale home

Close to DC & Future Purple Line

Speaking of DC, did you know that Lewisdale will be one of the stops on the forthcoming Purple Line? That’s right; there will be a stop at Riggs Road and University Boulevard. Additionally, it’s a short bus ride from Lewisdale to the Fort Totten Metro stop.

Beautiful, large brick home in Lewisdale

In addition to bungalows and Cape Cods, these mighty brick homes also call Lewisdale home.

Now, while there are also homes that have cars parked on the front yard as well as the odd unlicensed business at home, you’d be short-sighted to overlook this unincorporated community so close to DC, transit and the Northwest Branch Trail.

Lewisdale Stone HOme

Pallottine Seminary at Green Hill

Did you know there’s seminary in Lewisdale, on sprawling grounds that once hosted the local children for Easter Egg hunts? Don’t worry; I had no idea either!

Pallotine Green Hill Seminary

Located at 2009 Van Buren Street, Hyattsville

According to its website: “Green Hill, events facility for the Catholic Apostolate Center and home to the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers, is a day programming center for Catholic entities and organizations.”

While the Seminary and its grounds are not open to the public, we were lucky to have arranged a quick on-site visit with its administrator.

L’Enfant Was Buried Here

It was during this visit to Green Hill that we learned that its the site of Pierre L’Enfant’s first burial! That’s right. This brick and limestone cenotaph marks the spot where Pierre L’Enfant was first buried in 1825.

L'Enfant burial site in Lewisdale

Apparently, he was friends with the landowners during his life. In 1909, he was then exhumed and moved to Arlington National Cemetery. For more on this story, see this WETA post here.

Turns out Ms. Yolanda Rivera-Quintanilla was right; I didn’t know much about Lewisdale. But I’m so happy I do now, and I’m sure you are, too!

mural by Juan Pineda in Lewisdale

Beautiful new mural at Green Meadow’s Shopping Mall by Juan Pineda, an amazing artist and Northwestern High School graduate!

***

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Comments

  1. Leah B Baker says

    July 26, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    Yay, thanks for featuring more of the route one area, including Lewisdale!!

    Reply
    • routeonefunlady says

      July 30, 2021 at 3:39 pm

      Thank you for reading the post and taking the time to reach out! Appreciate it!

      Reply
  2. Tamara Beauchard says

    July 19, 2021 at 1:47 pm

    Great report Sarah! There are so many lovely Route One neighborhoods. I love it when I learn more about them.

    Reply
    • routeonefunlady says

      July 20, 2021 at 9:11 am

      Thanks, Tamara! It helps when you’ve got great buds to show you around! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sarah says

    July 19, 2021 at 7:20 am

    Wow, that’s a ton of fascinating things to see & do.
    But the thrift store?

    Reply
    • routeonefunlady says

      July 19, 2021 at 9:59 am

      Value Village! Between this one and the one at Hillandale Shopping Center, you’re sure to find something new-to-you!

      Reply

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