McDonald’s has torn down a wall with a decades-old mural depicting local Black history while replacing its restaurant in Hall’s Hill.
The fast food chain, which demolished its former location at 4834 Langston Blvd to construct a more “modernized” restaurant in its place, cited structural concerns in its decision to remove the mural’s concrete wall.
The public artwork bordering Langston-Brown Park’s tennis courts had stood since 1992, depicting a local fire station, community center and children playing in the historically Black neighborhood. McDonald’s plans to replace it with a new wall but it hasn’t released details on what that will look like.
“The screening wall is on [McDonald’s] property, and due to the age and condition of the wall, we have decided to replace it,” a construction manager for the project told ARLnow. “We are working with [the] jurisdiction on an approved design.”
She added that McDonald’s is “working with the community regarding the mural that was on the wall.”
The loss of the piece — repainted by D.C. artist Roderick Turner in 2020 after it was hit by a vehicle — surprised and disappointed Hall’s Hill resident Kristin Florin.
“The mural was such a gorgeous way to teach [my kids] about the difficult history of the world around us and the stories of strength and people rising above,” she told ARLnow.
Its panels depicted abolitionist, professor and diplomat John M. Langston and the neighborhood’s historic African American fire station.
“It’s gone now, which is heartbreaking,” one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told ARLnow. The wall “provided an important sound, noise, safety and trash barrier for the school, playground and neighboring homes,” they added.
“The noise level from traffic on Langston Blvd and the firehouse has already increased exponentially,” the resident said.
The fast food chain later clarified it was “actively working” with community members to construct a replacement for the mural.
McDonald’s is aiming for a November opening of its new location but has not set an exact date.
Photo (1) via Public Art Archive
