First established around 1904 by Peter M. Dorsch, the White Cross Bakery grew from a small neighborhood business to one of Washington’s largest bakeries. In 1913, Dorsch built the first of several expansions in Wiltberger Alley, where it joined many other bakeries operating along the area’s alleys. He further expanded in 1915 and 1922 with the construction of two Craftsman-style buildings facing S Street NW. By the end of the 1920s, White Cross produced 100,000 loaves of bread each day and baked 40 different varieties of cakes. Dorsch sold his business in 1936 to the Continental Baking Company, who primarily used the bakery for production of its Hostess cake products.
The S Street buildings, with their distinctive stone and glazed tile white crosses, are among the most architecturally notable industrial/commercial buildings in the city. The complex has since been converted to office space and is now referred to as the Wonder Bread Building.
DC Inventory: November 17, 2011
National Register: February 3, 2012
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