Owen Davis was one of the first two black men to rise up the DC police force's chain of command, becoming the first black deputy chief in DC.  He was also a proud resident of Eastland Gardens, active in both the local and city-wide community through the Kenilworth Elementary PTA and other organizations.  Posted just after his October 7, 2007 death, this page has the text of Owen Davis's Washington Post and DC Metropolitan Police Department obituaries.  In addition, it contains excerpts from an oral history interview with Mr. Davis and a few reflections by Joe Lapp on this extraordinary man.

Carolivia Herron, niece of famed Douglas Street historian and gardener Richard Johnson, has just published the first of her Catalpa Tales, a series of stories about Douglas Street as told by her mother, Georgia Herron.  Pick up this wonderful children's book, Little Georgia and the Apples , and enjoy hearing about the community and families of Douglas Street.  Carolivia is also the author of Nappy Hair , a book whose narrator is based on the character of Mr. Richard Johnson.  Learn more about her at her website, www.carolivia.org .  

 
Joe Lapp writes about Kimi Gray, Kenilworth Courts resident who led a neighborhood renaissance and became a leader in the national tenant management movement of the late eighties and early nineties.

Joe Lapp writes about a childhood hero and mentor, Walter McDowney, who grew up in Kenilworth Courts.  Better known as "Ranger Mack," Walter's love of snakes and nature, as well as his knowledge of the community surrounding the park, earned him a job at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.  He started a junior ranger program for children from Kenilworth to learn more about the natural world.

Joe Lapp writes about his parents, Elmer and Fannie Lapp, who moved to Kenilworth in 1965 from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and started an Amish-Mennonite mission and church there.