Stronghold

Stronghold is a institutional neighborhood located in the northeast section of the city. The neighborhood includes The Catholic University of American, the Washington Hospital Center, the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center and the Soldiers Home. In addition you will find the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Golf Course.

The neighborhood does not have any residential uses although some consider Stronghold to extend past the boundaries shown in on the map by StreetAdvisor. The expanded Stronhold neighborhood is home to approximately 1,440 residents. In 2010, the average price for a home sold here was $251,812, with 32% being owner occupied.. Even in the expanded neighborhood, you will find no schools and very few restaurants, shops or recreational facilities, except those generally associated with the institutions.

Recent crime statistics indicate that crimes against people and property are rare and that the area is generally safe. As always check the most recent crime statistics and make an informed decision as to the crime risk in any neighborhood. Although the area is nice it will always be dominated by one of these institutions. Although not the place to live the institutions here are excellent, especially the hospital and Trauma Center.

Stronghold is another one of those examples of what a community, bent on keeping larger problems out and the good guys in, can do. In the eighties the people of Stronghold were affected somewhat by the crack epidemic. But unlike many other locales, it wasn’t overcome by the problems. Neighbors banded together and patrolled, ensuring that the hoodlums stayed out of the area. This is one of the places where neighbors look out for one another, and where families are able to grow up in peace. In fact, this is such a great place for children that you’ll see the young families out with baby strollers! Need to go out for a “date” with your life partner? Hire one of the local teenagers, or even let a grandmother do what they do best.
Stronghold is close to Catholic University, as well as the Old Soldier’s Home, and as a result there is a considerable amount of community. The grounds of the latter are a great place to sunbathe, or to take your puppy for his…daily outing. Through the neighborhood association you will find there are social events, especially in the summer. In spite of its location, there aren’t too many students here due to the availability of housing.

Stronghold is a tiny, charming neighborhood near North Capital Street in Washington. One of the things that makes is so charming it the neighbor’s friendliness and commitment to each other and their home.
Behind the doors of the 1920s Federal style row houses live some of the most caring neighbors in the DC area. And one of the greatest things is that the neighborliness cuts across racial and financial lines. While most of the older neighbors who have lived there for decades are African American, they freely welcome the newcomers, many of whom are white.
Longtime resident Sam Belton once observed, "Everyone looks out for one another here…. I did telephone work for 30 years; if someone has a telephone problem, I'll help. Other people do things like carpentry or plumbing, and they'll help out. It's like family."
It has not always been easy to maintain this neighborhood’s safety. When drugs started threatening their way of life in the late 1980s, neighbors took action. They organized community watches and made sure that those who came on their streets for nefarious purposes were quickly driven away. They remain vigilant against crime today an, even though they still have problems, they have avoided many of the issues that have nearly conquered other areas.