Commodore John Rodgers House

Historical marker location:

1510 H St NW, Downtown Washington, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from Madison Place Northwest, 0.1 miles south of H Street Northwest, on the left when traveling south.)

Marker installed: 1902

architecture houses residential buildings

The District was the site of the first U.S. public school for black students: The M Street School (later known as Dunbar High School) was founded in 1870 and was the first public school in the United States for black students. The school became known for its high academic standards and produced many notable alumni, including civil rights leader and educator Mary McLeod Bethune.