Maine Avenue Fish Market
{{Short description|Open-air market in Washington, D.C.}}
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| name = Maine Avenue Fish Market
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| caption = The Maine Avenue Fish Market in February 2009
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| locale = Washington, D.C.
| type = Fish Market
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| open = 1805
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The Maine Avenue Fish Market, also known as the Municipal Fish Market, the Fish Wharf, or simply, the Wharf, is an open-air seafood market in Southwest Washington, D.C., a local landmark and one of the few that remain on the east coast of the United States. Opened in 1805, it is the oldest continuously operating fish market in the United States, founded 17 years earlier than New York City's Fulton Fish Market.[http://www.newfultonfishmarket.com/about.html New Fulton Fish Market Cooperative], "About the Fulton Fish Market".
Overview
Located on the Southwest Waterfront of Washington, D.C., in the shadow of Interstate 395, the Maine Avenue Fish Market stands as a cultural relic popular with locals and little known the tourists who flock to the monuments and museums just five blocks north. There are more than ten stores, each with a specialty. The Maine Avenue Fish Market is open throughout the week, with the largest selection of fish on display Friday evening through Sunday.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6819-2004Jan10.html |title=Browsing the Maine Avenue Fish Market |newspaper=Washington Post |date=January 11, 2004 |page=C02}}
A multitude of fresh seafood is sold on floating barges that line the pier along Water Street. These barges, which rise and fall with the tide, are a tribute to an old tradition dating back to the Civil War. For years, fishmongers would navigate once a week down the Potomac to the Chesapeake. There, they would purchase seafood from the watermen and head back to the Washington, D.C., wharf. In 1961, refrigerated trucks became more efficient to bring the catch from the Eastern Shore and the "buy boats" were permanently docked and later replaced by today's steel barges.Islanders Stay Hooked On SW Fish Market; Good Pay Salves Life Style Concerns: [FINAL Edition] by Eugene L. Meyer - The Washington Post - 07 July 1987
History
=19th century=
File:Steamboat Wharf, Washington, D.C. LCCN2004661949.jpg
File:Birds eye view of Sixth Street wharf, Washington, D.C. LCCN2003671596.jpg
The Washington wharf has hosted a fish market since the 1790s, when fisherman sold their catch directly off their boats.Don't Dock That Wharf: [FINAL Edition] - The Washington Post - August 30, 1992 The Maine Avenue Fish Market has been in continuous operation since 1805,{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/29/AR2005082902005.html |title=On D.C. Waterfront, a Feast for the Senses |newspaper=Washington Post |date=August 30, 2005 | first=Tara | last=Bahrampour | accessdate=May 12, 2010}} making it the oldest operating fish market in the United States and 17 years older than New York City's Fulton Fish Market,Wharf DC - Fish Market - https://www.wharfdc.com/fish-market/ which was moved to the Bronx in 2005. The Maine Avenue Market was moved a few blocks along the Washington Channel in the 1960s.
On March 19, 1823, by Ordinance of the Corporation of the City of Washington established the following sites are established as "fishdocks":
- The south extremity of Seventh-street west, on the Tiber.
- The wharfs owned or occupied by Joseph Ratcliff and Samuel Smoot, on Twenty-eight street, on Rock-Creek, near the lower Bridge
- The landings on the north-side of Tiber, at 7th and 12th streets [near the market] : provided that no fish shall be cleaned on the said landings
- The Steam-boat wharf on the Potomac, near the bridge over the Potomoc; and at Cana's wharf
- The south extremity of New-Jersey AvenueFISH - Ordinance of the Corporation of the City of Washington - March 19, 1823Morris v. United States - Supreme Court of the United States - United States Supreme Court Reports, Volume 43 - October 1898Farmers as fishermen - The Times, Washington, Sunday, May 6, 1900 - page 6
The wharf on the Potomac was located at the end of M Street SW. At the time, the corner of 7th Street SW and M Street SW did not exist. Until 1880, no revenue was paid to the city for the fish wharf until W.A. Wimsatt & Co. leased it from the city government. The wharf moved just north to where 11th Street SW lands on the river with rents paid annually in February.
Several species of fish were sold at the market. By 1900, a lot of shad was sold at the Washington fish wharf, while herrings were mainly sold at the Alexandria wharf, across the river.
=Municipal Fish Market=
File:Municipal Fish Market LCCN2006683823.jpg
The Riley family had owned the wharf since about 1803. T.W. Riley had been involved in its operation for close to 80 years when he died aged 93 in 1912.Takes Over Market - The Evening Star, Friday, March 14, 1913 - page 20 The wharf was leased to W.W. Riley, T.W.'s son, until March 15, 1908, when the lease was not renewed. Litigation ended on March 15, 1913.District Urged to Operate Fish wharf for Itself - The Washington Times - Saturday September 28, 1912.
Meanwhile, sanitation concerns and the smell emanating from the fish wharf drew the public to request the building of a municipal fish market managed by the city. Congress looked into the matter in 1912 for the 1914 budget. The District Commissioners recommended the creation of a new office of marketmaster and wharfinger, which would be in charge of wharfage, dockage rentals, rents for fish houses and a proposed fish wharf and market. They sought authorization to take over and operate the water front on the Potomac on Water Street SW between 11th Street SW and 12th Street SW.Short Session of Congress faces Budget of Billion for Year 1914 - The Washington Times - Monday, December 2, 1012 On March 15, 1913, the Fish Wharf was placed under the control of Col. W.C. Haskell, Superintendent of Weights, Measures and Markets of the District. Wharfage fees remain the same.
At the time, the three wharves were used for:
On July 12, 1913, the retail of melons at the wharf was banned by the District Commissioners.Melon industry at Wharf is hard hit - The Washington Times - Saturday, July 12, 1913
In addition, fish were sold in 17 shacks facing Water Street SW between 11th Street SW and 12th Street SWe. A plan for the New Market called for a main building to be built along Water Street SW with wings extending along the wharves. The cost was estimated at $98,000 for the building with an additional $25,000 for the smoking and packing houses. An addition $10,000 would be needed to improve the surroundings.New Fish Market to Cost $98,000 - The Evening Star - Washington, DC - July 5, 1913 - Front page
However, the funds were not approved in 1913 in the District appropriation bill in spite of all the dealers being ready for a new building and having made application for the new quarters. By that time, the existing buildings had been in use for close to 40 years. No proper sewerage existed and all the water run-offs went in the ground under the buildings.Dealers at the Fish Wharf Disappointed - The Sunday Star, December 21, 1913 - page 21
Finally, on July 21, 1914, the District appropriation bill created the post of Market master and wharfinger and approved $50,000 to rebuild the wharves and prepare plans.63rd Congress - Session II - Chapter 191 - July 21, 1914 On March 3, 1915, $125,000 was appropriated to build the buildings on the site of the municipal fish wharf and market, including refrigeration and cold-storage plants to accommodate retail and wholesale. The total amount to be spent was fixed at $185,000.63rd Congress - Session III - Chapter 80 - March 3, 1915
The building was designed by Municipal Architect Snowden Ashford and built at a cost of $150,000 with an additional $50,000 spent on the three concrete wharves.District is spending $165,000 on Buildings - The Evening Star - March 3, 1917 The building opened in the spring of 1918.The Municipal Fish Market - Washington Times - April 6, 1918 - Editorial Page
=The move=
On August 7, 1958, the House District Committee approved the demolition of the Municipal Fish Market and the nearby Farmers' Market to make way for the Southwest Waterfront Renewal Project.Market Razing Bill Advances - The Washington Post - August 7, 1958 The bill passed the full council soon after.Congress Praised for D.C. Work: 'Fairly Good Year' For City's Welfare, Says McLaughlin by Paul Sampson - The Washington Post - August 26, 1958 Thirteen restaurants and seafood dealers occupied the building at the time.Wrecking Starts Jan. 2 On Maine Ave. Market - The Washington Post - December 18, 1958 The two-story brick Municipal Fish Market was scheduled to be razed and the occupants told to leave by November 1, 1959.
Instead, the vendors refused to leave, citing a clause in their leases allowing them to stay for 99 years.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2008/10/30/washingtoniana-whats-with-the-fish-market/ |title=What's With the Fish Market? |work=Washingtonian Magazine |date=October 30, 2008}} The deadline for moving was pushed to January 1, 1960,Fish Market Businesses Fight Wrecker Deadline: Razing Twice Delayed No Place To Go by Connie Feeley - The Washington Post - December 24, 1959 and then put on hold while proposals to move the seafood dealers were debated.Municipal Fish Market Proposed - The Washington Post - January 12, 1960 However, a Municipal Court ruling decided on January 22, 1960, that the District was not required to move the dealers before evicting them. The building was closed on February 1, 1960, and its demolition slated to start on March 1, 1960.Court Upholds District in Evicting Fish Markets From Maine Ave. by John P. MacKenzie - The Washington Post - January 22, 1960Fish Markets In Southwest Finally Close - The Washington Post - February 2, 1960 The fishing boats remained on site, their future uncertain.Fishing Boats Stay At Maine Ave. Stand - The Washington Post Feb 8, 1960 After several years of negotiations and planning, decks and a marina along with several buildings were announced,A New Waterfront: Construction Due Soon; Marinas Are Criticized Waterfront Development Questioned by Phineas R. Fiske - The Washington Post - February 25, 1969 but the displaced businesses had no new home in 1965.Waterfront Tenants Ask Aid in Move - The Washington Post - March 30, 1965
Ultimately, the current Municipal Pier was built for the market under the I-395 12th Street highway offramp. Vendors occupy new floating barges. In 1987, the wharfage fee was $105 per month.
The Fish Market has been praised by urban planners as an example of the sort of small-scale, integrated streetscape that has been displaced by large-scale urban redevelopment in much of the Washington, D.C., area.[http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=220 Project For Public Spaces], "Washington DC Fish Market - Great Public Spaces". Retrieved 9/07/2009. However, the Market is somewhat isolated from the Mall due to its location under the freeway, and the city has refrained from promoting it as an attraction due to uncertainty about whether it can be preserved.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}}
=21st-century redevelopment=
File:The Wharf DC (38515263614).jpg
By 2009, plans were underway to once again redevelop Maine Avenue and remove the frontage road of Water Street, where the waterfront buildings and wharf were located.{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2008/10/09/southwest-waterfront-developers-ask-for-16-acres/ |title=Southwest Waterfront Developers Ask for 16 Acres |work=Washington City Paper |date=October 9, 2008}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/12/15/daily50.html |title=D.C. Council Approves Southwest Waterfront deal |work=Washington Business Journal |date=December 17, 2008 |first=Jonathan |last=O'Connell}} Some support structures on Water Street, including the sole remaining land-based eatery, were scheduled to be razed ”to keep the Fish Market in safe and operable condition until the redevelopment occurs”, said an official with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2009/01/12/buildings-razed-in-maine-avenue-fish-market/ |title=Buildings Razed in Maine Avenue Fish Market |work=Washington City Paper |date=January 12, 2009}} A website associated with the developer PN Hoffman said, "Washington’s historic Fish Market will be preserved and renovated and the maritime heritage of the site promoted."[http://www.wdcep.com/retail_record.php?retailId=54 Washington D.C. Economic Partnership], "Retail Opportunities". Retrieved 9/07/2009.
District Wharf complex opened with Phase I in October 2017, including residential space, hotels, live music venues, shops and restaurants, many overlooking the redesigned wharves and marina.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wharfdc.com/wharf/construction-timeline/|title=Building DC's Great New Destination {{!}} About The Wharf {{!}} District Wharf|website=www.wharfdc.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-09}} Water Street SW was converted to pedestrian use. Phase II of the redevelopment commenced in mid-2018 and was completed in October 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.wharfdc.com/newsroom/2022-10-12-wharf-celebrates-five-year-anniversary-and-completion-same-day | title=The Wharf Celebrates Five Year Anniversary and Completion of Construction }}
On November 4, 2021, two of the three barges operated by Captain White, one of the largest seafood vendors at the Market, were "detached from the pier and towed by boat down the Potomac River," Washingtonian magazine reported. The third barge is to leave as well in December, and the business reestablished elsewhere. “You’re going to have to ask the developers next door why,” co-owner Pete White said.{{Cite web|last=Sidman|first=Jessica|date=2021-11-04|title=Captain White Seafood Market Is Leaving the Wharf for Good|url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/11/04/captain-white-seafood-market-is-leaving-the-wharf-for-good/|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Washingtonian|language=en-US}}
In popular culture
- The Maine Avenue Fish Market is featured in the 2009 film, State of Play.{{cite news|url=http://film.dc.gov/DC/FILM/About+Film/News+Room/Maine+Avenue+Fish+Market+in+Southwest+Honored+as+One+City+Location+of+the+Month|title=Maine Avenue Fish Market in Southwest Honored as One City Location of the Month|author=Office of Motion Picture and Television Development|date=November 1, 2011}}[http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/04/eating-crab-balls-with-russell-crowe-maine-avenue-fish-market-dc.html Eating Crab Balls with Russell Crowe] "Serious Eats". Retrieved 05/14/2012.
References
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Vimeo|id=74127783|title=The Wharf: A Greenhouse Film}}
{{fishing industry topics}}
{{fisheries and fishing}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Washington, D.C.
Category:Culture of Washington, D.C.
Category:Food markets in the United States
Category:Fishing in the United States
Category:Retail buildings in Washington, D.C.
Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Washington, D.C.