History
Founded in 1751, Georgetown predates Washington, and it remained a separate city from Washington until 1871. The name of town came from either reigning King George II of Britain, or George Gordon and George Beall, owners of most of the land at the time the city was founded.
In in colonial times, Georgetown was at the northernmost point on the Potomac River navigable by boats. As a port city it was an important center of Mid-Atlantic trade, particularly for tobacco and slaves. In 1789 Georgetown University was founded as the first Jesuit university in the nation. Thomas Jefferson and Francis Scott Key both lived in Georgetown, and George Washington came over often for the booze. As the city of Washington grew, the Anglo-elite moved to newer homes in the burgeoning city, turning Georgetown into somewhat of an African-American neighborhood.
The 1820s saw the construction of the $77 million C&O Canal along the west bank of the Potomac River, linking Georgetown to Ohio through Western Maryland. The project was a dramatic commercial failure due to the construction of the more efficient B&O Railroad, but its legacy exists in Georgetown today as a beautiful place to take a walk or bike ride. In the late nineteenth century, Georgetown's fortunes declined precipitously as both the Potomac and the canal became unnavigable due to increased sedimentation. The factories around the canal shuttered their windows, and Georgetown became a slum. This was all to the benefit of the modern era, however, as the local economic depression saved the area from development, thus preserving its beautiful eighteenth century houses.
In the mid-twentieth century Georgetown's fortunes saw a rapid change, as well educated residents moved here, drawn by its proximity to the city center and especially by its old architecture. In the 1950s, then-senator John F Kennedy moved to 33rd and N St, and since everyone wanted to be at Jackie O's parties, the city's social and political elite returned to Georgetown. Since then, for better or worse, Georgetown gentrified into something akin to Beverly Hills for the Capital Region. In fact, what used to be a huge refuse incinerator has now been remodeled into the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Today, Georgetown caters to a privileged, wealthy, international, powerful, and even somewhat aristocratic crowd, although the university presence preserves a unique mixture of beer-soaked college town and prosperous enclave.
Understand
Georgetown is situated on bluffs overlooking the Potomac River. As a result, there are some rather steep grades on streets running north-south, as well as some great views over the Potomac. The famous "Exorcist Steps", which connect M St to Prospect St, were necessitated by the hilly terrain. Several of these sloping streets remain unpaved and cobblestoned. Most of Georgetown's streets are lined with tall, old trees and quaint 18th-19th century architecture.