History of the Bladensburg Bus Garage

Clark Mills Foundry

The Bladensburg Bus Garage sits on 17.59 acres bounded by Bladensburg Road NE, 25th Place NE, Douglas Street NE, and the CSX railroad line, and was the former site of a variety of industries, including the Standard Butterine Company, the Corby Baking Company, and the Fleishman Company. The site was also once home to the Mills Foundry, where in the 1860s, self-taught sculptor Clark Mills cast Thomas Crawford's famed Statue of Freedom, which was placed atop the U.S. Capitol Dome on December 2, 1863. In 1962, nearly a century after Clark Mills developed the property, the Administrative Building of the Bladensburg Bus Division was constructed. The building has undergone several modifications since and is one of Metro's oldest assets.

Metro Helps Preserve Community History

To help celebrate and preserve the history of the garage, Metro is working with the D.C. Historic Preservation Board to ensure that the Bladensburg Bus Garage site and its historical architecture is properly preserved.

1951 Bladensburg Aerial Shot

1951 aerial photograph

Bladensburg aerial photograph from 1963

In 1962, nearly a century after Clark Mills developed the property, Building 1 of the Bladensburg Bus Division was constructed, as seen in the above aerial photograph from 1963.

2004 Bladensburg

In 1989, a new overhead crane was installed and part of the first floor and service pits were removed.

Art In Transit

Metro's Art in Transit team worked hand-in-hand with the community to create 28 unique 8'x16'  banners which are installed along the fence surrounding the construction site. The art on the banners reflects many of the community's historical landmarks, including the Bladensburg Turnpike, America's first turnpike road and first toll road.