During the 19th century, in the vibrant neighborhood of Deanwood, there was a visionary named Howard Dilworth Woodson who left a lasting legacy. Born in 1877, Woodson was a remarkable individual who graduated in 1899 from the institution now known as the University of Pittsburgh. His journey led him to a long and esteemed career with the federal government as a civil and structural engineer. But Woodson’s ambitions extended beyond his professional life; he became a passionate civic leader, advocating tirelessly for the urbanization of the Far Northeast/Deanwood area.

The neighborhood faced challenges, notably the absence of proper educational and utility services. Woodson took it upon himself to become the voice of the community, often appearing before federal congressional committees to demand better resources for Deanwood. His endeavors didn’t stop there. As a supervising architect for the Universal Development and Loan Company, he envisioned a high school that would allow local children to thrive without the burden of long commutes to distant schools.

In 1972, his dream materialized in the form of a pioneering school at 55th and Eads streets NE, named in his honor as Howard Dilworth Woodson Senior High School. With its towering structure (known as the Tower of Power) complete with a plaza, rooftop greenhouse, and advanced facilities, it stood as a bold statement in the community. Despite initial obstacles with planning boards, Granville Woodson, H.D. Woodson’s son and chief of the DCPS buildings department, fiercely defended the ambitious design, insisting on its role as a community cornerstone.

For years, this state-of-the-art campus, staffed with specially recruited educators, flourished. However, as time wore on, the building succumbed to deterioration. In 2009, it was demolished, only to rise again two years later as a modern three-story testament to Woodson’s enduring vision and dedication to education. The spirit of Howard Dilworth Woodson endures, a beacon of inspiration for future generations.