iCrowdNewswire Dec 31, 2020 3:34 PM ET
There are countless stories about deep secrets and shameful cover-ups that have been orchestrated by government officials over the years in Washington, DC. While some may sound like conspiracy theories, there are some undeniable facts of DC History that are so perplexing and tragic that they seem unreal. “These untold histories are often right in front of us though many are unaware of the truth,” explains Marc Minsker, a teacher at Wilson High School and a community organizer.
Fort Reno Reservoir Tower
One of the least known but most painful chapters in DC’s history involves what is now an idyllic park managed by the National Park Service: Fort Reno. This 20-acre park, which sits at the highest point in the city (409 feet above sea level), now hosts a soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, as well as rolling hills and wooded glens that border a public middle and high school. There is an iconic tower that looks out over a reservoir as well as a community garden, walking paths, and a stage that hosts a famous summer concert series. Fort Reno is considered a treasure in the neighborhood of Tenleytown, where million-dollar homes grace tree-lined streets. But what many residents of the District do not know is that Fort Reno was once home to over 340 white and black families. This thriving community existed for close to sixty years before racist individuals, scheming organizations, and unjust government officials acted to forcibly remove families, condemn properties, and invoke imminent domain to dissolve and erase the community known as Reno.