The expression on this girl’s face is bizarre … “why the hell are you making me hold a doll, a B.F. Keith’s sign and this stupid parasol, while sitting on this uncomfortable sand?” Poor girl. She looks miserable. Washington was in the throes of a horrible heat wave that summer, with two people dying the same week that this photo ... Read More »
This is D.C.’s original statue of Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Dupont, installed in 1884. Here you see it – clearly sitting at the center of Dupont Circle. We see the namesake admiral but we don’t see the well-known Dupont Circle fountain. Why did Washingtonians remove Dupont from his circle? The answer is a simple one. People Hated This Statue Here’s ... Read More »
A number of GoDCers have been asking for more east of the river stuff (including our GoDCer friend Ayanna) … so here’s another cool advertisement from Hillcrest Heights that we found in the Washington Post. This one is from July 25th, 1959. I suspect some of you will recognize the style of this home, much like most home built in ... Read More »
I was going to go with a title about Canadians coming in peace this time, but I did not want to re-start the old “who burned down the White House?” argument all over again. Indeed, Canada has a massive embassy on Pennsylvania Avenue. [And they used to party it up on July 1 and give out free Kokanee!] But it ... Read More »
In September 1955, President Eisenhower suffered a heart attack while visiting Denver. He was rushed to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital, where he would spend seven weeks recovering. While convalescing, he continued to carry out his executive duties from his hospital suite (which is now open to tours). Early the following year, in February, the President and the First Lady returned to ... Read More »
On October 13th, 1919, an out-of-control streetcar was traveling down Georgia Ave. NW, near Walter Reed, when it slammed into a military truck, instantly killing one passenger on the truck and injuring countless others. Below is a photo of the devastated streetcar. The Baltimore Sun had a special report on the accident the following day, mentioning a number of Marylanders ... Read More »
For conservative, puritanical Americans, this is probably highly inappropriate … especially in the early 20th century (we warned you about NSFW if your boss is looking over your shoulder). But this was an odd enough moment in time that we had to share it with GoDCers. Well, for Sidney Lust, this was his bread and butter. He was in the ... Read More »
Here are two great old maps that we found showing Georgetown. We know how much GoDCers love maps (we do too), so here you go. Below is a more detailed view of a part of Georgetown. Read More »
We’re a little late on this, but … this day in history (minus 12 days), 56 years ago, the Baltimore Sun reported a rumor that the Washington Senators were moving to the West Coast for the 1957 season. Washington, Sept 12 (AP)–Calvin R. Griffith, president of the Washington Senators, said today it isn’t so that the American League baseball club is all ... Read More »
Congratulations Gio Gonzalez! You are the first 20-game winner for Washington baseball in 59 years, when Bob Porterfield accomplished the feat. Not only that, but you are only the second left-handed pitcher ever to do this in our history. The last guy to do it was Earl Whitehill, back during FDR‘s first term, 1933. On to the playoffs! If you ... Read More »
This is a terrific photo of Thomas Circle around 1921. Click on the image for a larger version, so you can stare at it for a while. These are amazing images dug up on Shorpy. Read More »
This is the best contribution thus far by a member of the GoDC community. This is from Tom H. in Bethesda, and when I first saw it, I was blown away at how professional it looked. Thanks Tom! The video is a fascinating history of the gun barrel fence in Georgetown, made from 364 reclaimed Washington Navy Yard muskets. To ... Read More »
We are guaranteed to play postseason baseball after last night’s win over the Dodgers. Our magic number to win the National League East is down to eight games. Let’s see some #NATITUDE from GoDCers and pride in our baseball team! Along those lines, here are two great films from the last time out team was in the World Series. These ... Read More »
I’m not sure how to explain this one … it’s just bizarre. Thanks to Vanished Americana for this gem. That’s our good buddy and Columbia Heights resident, Nick Altrock, with his clown teammate Al Schacht. Read More »
This is the first guest post by Roger. Check out his blog Forgotten Stories for some excellent lost history. Philemon T. Herbert was a crooked lawyer, a card shark, frequented brothels, and stood accused of attacking a political rival with a knife. In other words, he fit right in with the rough and tumble environment of California in the early 1850s, ... Read More »
Ghosts of DC The lost and untold history of Washington