It's Monumental!

     Washington, DC is loaded with museums and monuments.  Tourists from all over the United States and around the world flock to see them each year.  But just a few blocks from all the granite and glitter is a virtually unknown cultural relic.  The Maine Avenue Fish Market is the oldest operating fish market in the United States.  It's been in continuous operation since 1805.  Known to locals simply as The Wharf, it's located in Southwest DC under the shadow of Interstate 395 and is one of only a very few surviving open air seafood markets on the east coast.  It is truly a landmark with over 10 different stores, each with a specialty.

     On a recent visit there I could purchase a wide variety of freshly caught fish, crabs, octopus, squid and shrimp, or pick from a selection of shellfish like clams, mussels, scallops and oysters.  Eager fish mongers even offered samples of steamed crabs and shrimp for me to taste, which I gladly did.

     The original 19th Century Municipal Fish Market building was razed in the 60s to make way for a waterfront urban renewal project.  So the current municipal pier was built for the market near the 12th Street off ramp of I-395 to provide retail space the floating barges that serve as the venue for the merchants to sell their wares.

     But the future of The Wharf is uncertain.  Once again plans are in the works to redevelop the entire length of Maine Avenue and it is unclear if the historic market will be wholly preserved or forced to move again.  Right now its fate lies in the hands of the city fathers and developers.  And in my estimation, that's not a good place to be.