Immortal Market

Like the Energizer Bunny, Eastern Market just keeps on going. Its history stretches back to L’Enfant’s original plan, where it was to be one of three markets in the city. It was originally built at in 1814, but after a fire and the Civil War, Washingtonians saw the property is little more than a “disgraceful shed.” In an attempt to save the failing institution, architect Adolf Cluss built a new Eastern Market in 1873 at its current location. With this new building, the market thrived, prompting the opening of North Hall extension in 1908. However, the opening of a supermarket across the street caused the North Hall extension to close down in 1929. Fast forward to the 1950s, and things were still pretty bleak; all other city markets (such as Center and Western) were closing, and by 1962 only two merchant stands at Eastern Market remained. The ‘60s proved increasingly tumultuous for Eastern Market after being declared a “menace to public health” in 1964, and it was a virtual ghost town after the ’68 riots. However, this still did not douse the eternal flame that is Eastern Market. In fact, actual fire couldn’t even end it; in 2007 a large portion of the market went up in flames. But since it’s reopening in 2009, it’s been doing just fine.