Ghosts of DC The lost and untold history of Washington

Another amazing map, courtesy of David Rumsey. The map is based on the first official plan of the city, published by Andrew Ellicott in 1792. Source: David Rumsey map collection. Read More »

Here is a very unique map of Washington, D.C. from 1825. This is (obviously) a French map and it comes from an incredible map collection we stumbled upon, run by David Rumsey. Source: David Rumsey map collection. Read More »

This is a map of a very rural Foxhall Crescent in 1921. Read More »

Today is Petworth day. Check out the map of Petworth in 1907. And then look how rural it was to the west. Amazing. Read More »

What a fascinating map of a rather undeveloped Mount Pleasant in 1907. You can also see across 16th St. into what is now better known as Columbia Heights. Read More »

It’s amazing to see how rural Washington was in the early 20th century. This is the Baist map of the area around Walter Reed in 1911. Read More »

It’s sad to think of all the nice homes that were bulldozed to make way for the “modern” Southwest quadrant. Read More »

This is a set of maps from 1916, showing a very different, and sparsely developed Petworth.   Read More »

We love these maps and can’t get enough of them. We don’t show enough from across the river, so here’s one of Randle Highlands in 1907. And below is the Google Map of the same area today. Read More »

Look at all the empty lots in what would become weekend crazytown for drunk 20-somethings. Read More »

This is a really interesting look at a neighborhood, where today, the total value of the properties hovers probably somewhere near $200 million. This map is from 1907 and shows the area completely subdivided, with almost no buildings. Totally fascinating. Check out the Google Map today. It looks like U St. became Wyoming Ave. and T St. became California St. Read More »

It’s Friday and GoDCers love maps! This one is a great map from 1888, showing the area around Lafayette Square and Farragut Square. Read More »

Below is a great Civil War drawing from 1862. It shows Fort Pennsylvania at Tennallytown, one of the many forts ringing Washington during the Civil War. Read More »

Here’s a great 1903 map of Eastern Market, as requested by GoDCer Orestes. Hope you enjoy it! And below is the Google Map of the area today. Read More »

The treasure trove of maps held by the Library of Congress gave us this awesome map of Alexandria County (i.e., Arlington County today) from 1879. GoDCer Tim is going to love this. Read More »