Oral history interview with Floyd Jenkins

Floyd Jenkins, a white man born around 1894, begins the interview describing his family who have lived in the area since 1810 when Thomas Jenkins, bought land in what would become Congress Heights. That plot of land was Burche's Venture (Congress Heights) and was later sold to Thomas Jenkins Jr., Floyd's great-grandfather. He talks about different antiques, papers, and artifacts his family has collected over the years. He recalls the Navy Yard Bridge, the Overlook Inn, the Southeast Community Hospital, Adolphus Gude's florist shop, and Dr. Bury's Pharmacy. Jenkins provides information about the history of Anacostia, including historical events such as the Bonus Army March, as well as what the community was like while growing up. Throughout the interview, he discusses prominent community members, such as Frederick Douglass (abolitionist), Buddy and Sunny Owens (farmers), Dr. Richard Mudd (physician), and Frank Murray (undertaker). He mentions the neighborhood flooding, the transition from horse cars to street cars, "asylum hill" (St. Elizabeth's Hospital), and the German Orphan Asylum. Jenkins speaks about different types of businesses people owned in the area, including florists, brick layers, farmers, doctors, and pharmacists. He ends the interview talking more about the history of Anacostia through different wars. Floyd Jenkins was interviewed by Wanda Dickens on October 17, 1975. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard clearly for most parts.