I found this old DC directory from 1903. One interesting thing is that there are only 9 merchants listed under Automobiles (including the American Cycle Manufacturing Company, and thte Washington Electric Vehicle Transportation Company) and 64 under "Biycles and Sundries." A lot of these are just individuals listed by name (neighborhood mechanics?). But there are a few bicycle shops listed. These include:
Acme Repair and Bicycle Co - 1749 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
American Cycle Manufacturing Company - 819 14th Street NW
GPO Bicycle Repair Co - 33 H Street NW
National Cycle Works - 904 G Street NW
New York Bicycle Company - 424 9th Steet NW
The last two of those are, respectively, where the MLK library and J. Edgar Hoover buildings are today.
I love all of these bike shop names, but National Cycle Works is the best! I am also intrigued by the fact that the GPO Bicycle Repair existed right there. Must have been a lot of bike riding printer workers.
Posted by: Gina A. | March 11, 2013 at 10:50 AM
As a daily e-bike commuter and member of the EVA DC club for electric vehicles it's not surprising to see the EV listing from 100 years ago.
A good read/listen on the historical aspect of fuels and all transportation vehicle types, including a large section on the bicycle manufacturering patent controls from that era, is the book Internal Combustion by Edwin Black. Available in a nice hardback version for cheap online. Long read/listen but well worth it from many perspectives.
Posted by: Craig Shaw | March 11, 2013 at 02:56 PM
I would guess GPO is General Post Office
Posted by: Mike | March 11, 2013 at 10:27 PM