Bass Ale advertisement in the Washington Herald – December 24th, 1911

Did you know Bass Ale was available in Washington back in 1911? I did not. Well, it would be only for another six years until Prohibition set in on the city. This was an advertisement I came across in the Washington Herald from Christmas Eve, 1911. I probably won’t be having one of these tonight, but chances are quite good that I’ll be having one of these (yum).

Related articles

• I Make Sick Teeth Well (ghostsofdc.org)
• The Science of a Perfect Black and Tan (livescience.com)
• We Want Beer! The 1937 All-Star Game at Griffith Stadium (ghostsofdc.org)
• District Chophouse and Brewery (Winter 2011-12 DC Brewpub Tour) (boabeerblog.com)
• Blaine Mansion: Pizza and Good Beer Today (ghostsofdc.org)

Fairlawn real estate advertisement from the Washington Herald – July 22nd, 1911

This is an advertisement for new development and real estate across the Eastern Branch, near Anacostia. Click on the ad for a closer look at what is a harsh window into a very different (and blatantly racist) time in Washington. Reading these anachronistic advertisements over 100 years later still makes you cringe at the way things were back then.

Fairlawn is also where Anacostia High School is located.

Related articles

• The National Cathedral School for Boys (St. Alban’s) in 1910 (ghostsofdc.org)
• Anacostia High School Baseball Team (1939) (ghostsofdc.org)

Fort Lincoln Heights advertisement in the Sunday Herald – August 23rd, 1891

I want to branch out a little more and represent more neighborhoods. This is a great old real estate advertisement — I’ve been finding a ton of these lately — highlighting Fort Lincoln Heights in NE Washington. Yes, I know that Barbadoes is actually spelled Barbados. But this is a blog that remains true and authentic, so we don’t rewrite history.

The best part is “a twenty minutes’ trot from the city boundary (two miles).” Seven-room homes sold for $2,000 which would be around $51,000 today (based on the CPI).

Related articles

• Calvin Coolidge, Vermont Native and Our 30th President (ghostsofdc.org)
• Why Is It Named Arlington? (ghostsofdc.org)
• Three Random Stories About Farragut Square (ghostsofdc.org)
• If Walls Could Talk: Chateau Bonaparte on K Street (ghostsofdc.org)
• Linkage: DC’s Power Couples; History Of Shaw’s Tavern Building; More! (dc.curbed.com)

Friends School Country Club House advertisement in the Washington Herald (1910)

Cool. I love these. The Gonzaga one was quite popular with readers as was the St. Albans ad. This is Sidwell Friends School — the name has gone through a few iterations — back in 1910. They had recently acquired property up Wisconsin Avenue (where the current campus is), formerly run by the Washington School for Boys.

Sidwell has recently been known as the school attended by White House children (Chelsea, Sasha, Malia) but did you know that Charles Lindbergh also went there? Gore Vidal, Nancy Reagan and Bill Nye the Science Guy!

Related articles

• The National Cathedral School for Boys (St. Alban’s) in 1910 (ghostsofdc.org)
• Move to Cathedral Highlands: An Unobstructed View of the Entire Surrounding Country (ghostsofdc.org)
• The New Gonzaga College in 1913 (ghostsofdc.org)

Daniel H. Riggs, Howard University Medicine, in the South Yard of the Smithsonian Institution Building, stands next to his carriage. Picture shows the East Wing after Adolph Cluss’ 1884 renovation. Against the building are sheds, used by the Department of Living Animals, 1887-1890 (Smithsonian Archives)

Here’s a photograph from 1890 which shows Dr. Daniel H. Riggs of Howard University posing next to his carriage near the Smithsonian.

In 1893, the doctor was the defendant in a malpractice lawsuit. The Post reported on the suit on October 13th.

A case of interest to physicians and surgeons is that of Harry B. Nichols vs. Drs. George W. N. Custis and Daniel H. Riggs, now on trial before Justice Cox in circuit court No. 2. Nichols is a boy about eight years of age, and through his father sues the doctors for $20,000 damages for alleged malpractice for failing to set his arm properly when it was broken two years ago.

Dr. Custis cleared himself by proving that after he discovered the nature of the case he declined to treat the boy because he was not a surgeon. The proofs of malpractice against Dr. Riggs do not seem to be very strong so far, and the defendants yesterday moved to take the case from the jury. Messrs. E. H. Thomas and John Ridout are attorneys for the defendants, while Rudolph Claughton appears for the plaintiff.

Dr. Riggs lived at 1410 11th St. NW with his young daughter Kathryn. Below is the address today on Google Street View.

Related articles

• Proposed Location for a Zoological Park Along Rock Creek (ghostsofdc.org)
• Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Robinson Together at Howard University (ghostsofdc.org)
• The Smithsonian’s English Birth (ghostsofdc.org)
• LA museum boss to lead Smithsonian history museum (heraldonline.com)

National Sporting Goods Co. advertisement in the Washington Times – October 20th, 1912

Some time ago, way back in the day, purchasing a firearm was much easier.

About 96 years before the District of Columbia v. Heller ruling dramatically altered the gun-owning landscape in our city, you could walk down to National Sporting Goods Co. at 424 9th St. NW and pick up a 12 gauge Remington automatic (i.e., a serious shotgun) for the bargain price of $27.90 (what a deal!). Not only that, but if you purchased a gun retailing for $37.50 or more, you’d walk away with a free, high-quality gun bag.

Oh, you could also score a revolver for $2.50.

Related articles

• Think It Over, Mr. Careless Husband (ghostsofdc.org)
• Arnold’s India Pale Ale: The Invalid. The Convalescent. The Entirely Well. It Does Them All Good. (ghostsofdc.org)
• Linkage: Republicans Vs. Democrats Dodgeball Tournament; CoHi Names (dc.curbed.com)
• Calvin Coolidge, Vermont Native and Our 30th President (ghostsofdc.org)
• Linkage: Tivoli Theater’s Past; Discovery Space Shuttle’s Delivery Cost (dc.curbed.com)

New Gonzaga College advertisement in the Washington Times – August 31st, 1913

Along the same lines as the earlier post today with the St. Albans advertisement, here is another prominent (and old) local school. Gonzaga had just built their Main Building in 1912, now named Dooley Hall.

Read their Wikipedia page for a little more history. I found this part to be particularly interesting.

Gonzaga benefited greatly from the fact that the row houses built in Swampoodle were largely occupied by Irish Catholics from the late 19th century on. Although Gonzaga always drew students from other parts of the city as well, the departure of the Swampoodle Irish for the suburbs in the mid-20th century and more especially their replacement by poorer non-Catholics, brought on another period of difficulties. A decline in enrollment and the great inner-city riot of 1968 led some to suggest that Gonzaga should be closed, or moved to a more affluent area. However, the Jesuits once again persisted, and the school survived. In the last years of the 20th century, the school even expanded, adding several new buildings and a large playing field and field house. Today Gonzaga has regained its former status. A recent Wall Street Journal editorial referred to the institution as “the premier Catholic high school of Washington.”

I do know some people from Gonzaga, and I’ll make sure to send this to them.

Related articles

• I Make Sick Teeth Well (ghostsofdc.org)
• Congress Heights: The Healthiest and Most Delightful Suburb of Washington (ghostsofdc.org)
• Burrojaps Shoes Are Worn By Winners (ghostsofdc.org)
• Think It Over, Mr. Careless Husband (ghostsofdc.org)
• Let Us Make You Fat (ghostsofdc.org)

Washington Post (12/18/1960)

Washington art fans might have unwrapped some top-notch holiday gifts in December 1960.  A hip gallery just south of Dupont Circle featured the work of up-and-coming artists for a brief Christmas sale.  New prints from Jasper Johns were on display – and everything was relatively inexpensive.

“Not to be missed is a new group of lithographs by the talented newcomer Jasper Johns, who takes such subjects as a target, a coathanger or the American flag and gives them a new meaning by his treatment of them.”-Washington Post, 1/1/1961

“Among the artists in the Christmas show at the Jefferson Place Gallery are William Calfee, Robert Gates, Robert Goodnough, Jasper Johns (a series of new lithographs), Frederic Thursz and Yektai, in works ranging from $40 to $250.”-Washington Post, 12/18/1960

In 2012 currency, that would be $300 to $1,900.  Quite a bargain for an early Johns lithograph.  He was just getting started.

“In 1960, Universal Limited Art Editions (ULAE) founding director Tatyana Grosman encouraged Johns to work on lithographic stones, and he completed five prints and began his celebrated 0–9 series.”-Phillips Collection press release, 2/21/2012

Corpse and Mirror II – 1976 (Smithsonian American Art Museum)

The Phillips Collection will soon host an exhibit of Jasper Johns prints.  It will be the 81-year old painter/printmaker’s first show at the museum – and one of only a few times he’s been featured in a D.C. exhibition (according to The Post).  But I was surprised to see that some of his first lithographs were shown just a quick walk from the Phillips so many years ago.

The Jefferson Place Gallery moved around a few times.  Dupont residents might recognize the street name – it’s the short, quiet block between Connecticut Avenue and 19th Street, just south of N Street.  At the end of 1960, the gallery sat on the corner of its namesake Jefferson Place at 1216 Connecticut Ave., NW.

Does the address sound familiar?  It’s the current home of Shake Shack.

Oh, worth noting… I’m not certain any Johns pieces were purchased during that brief Christmas sale (12/13/1960 to 1/7/1961).

Jasper Johns is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (WH.gov)

But Jasper Johns did pretty well for himself.  And Washington eventually took notice.

Last year, Johns was in town to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  He was the first painter or sculptor since 1977 to nab the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Related articles

• Jasper Johns And Antony Gormley Presented At District’s Phillips Collection (washington.cbslocal.com)
• Jasper Johns’ First Flag (greg.org)
• Calvin Coolidge, Vermont Native and Our 30th President (ghostsofdc.org)
• First to Answer This Question Gets a GhostsofDC.org T-Shirt (ghostsofdc.org)

The National Cathedral School for Boys advertisement in the Washington Herald – 1910

If you went to St. Albans, you will probably find this fascinating. If you know someone that went there, send this to them.

It’s an old advertisement from the Washington Herald, back in 1910. The school was founded only three years earlier as The National Cathedral School for Boys.

Related articles

• Move to Cathedral Highlands: An Unobstructed View of the Entire Surrounding Country (ghostsofdc.org)
• Appreciating the Photography of Washington’s Own Frances Benjamin Johnston (ghostsofdc.org)
• Calvin Coolidge, Vermont Native and Our 30th President (ghostsofdc.org)

“Tilden or Blood” by Thomas Nast in Harper’s weekly – Febuary 17th 1877 (Wikipedia)

If you’re a history buff — and a presidential history buff — you’re well aware of the 1876 U.S. Presidential election. This is not a post about that. You can read up on the whole election on Wikipedia as well as the resulting “corrupt bargain,” the Compromise of 1877 – ending military occupation of the southern states (effectively ending Reconstruction) and installing the Republican, Rutherford B. Hayes, as the 19th President of the United States, defeating the Democratic candidate, Samuel Tilden.

This is a post about what was going on in Washington — as reported by the local newspaper, The National Republican — the morning of the election, Tuesday, November 7th, 1876.

National Republican – Tuesday, November 7th, 1876

On the front page of the paper, prominently figured was an election-related article (of course).

Twenty-four hours from the present writing the question will have been settled who is to be the President of the United States for four years from March 4, but during the interval between this time and that, when the result will be known, the American people will be in a state of excited expectancy. In order to give our readers all the means for calculation as to the probable result during this interim we present the “figuring” of different political authorities.

It was a little bit past the following morning before America knew who the next White House occupant would be. The New York Times predicted a Hayes victory with 260 votes in the Electoral College and with a conservative, worst-case scenario putting him at 233 votes (185 were needed for victory).

The National Republican also (obviously) predicted a Hayes victory with a conservative 188 votes, with a very likely 35 more in the form of New York.

Enough about the election … what else was happening in Washington?

Beware the old South

William Gannaway Brownlow had some harsh remarks for the South, despite being a Tennessean.

EX-SENATOR BROWNLOW strongly and urgently asserts, in a letter to the Tribune, the danger existing to the country from the “solid South.” He says: “Let no man delude himself into the belif that the success of Samuel J. Tilden as the leader of the Democracy does not mean Southern supremacy. I was born in the South, and have spent my whole life, nearly three quarters of a century, among the Southern Democratic leaders, and I know that I understand them. I speak forth the words of truth and soberness when I say that they intend to accomplish through the ballot box what they failed to achieve on the bloody field.” He makes a strong appeal to the voters of the North to beware of the dangers of the day.

Harsh words from a southern man.

Shakespeare at the National Theatre

National Republican, W. J. Murtagh, Editor and Proprietor – November 7th, 1876

“King Henry IV” was produced at the National last night by a l

arge and good company. The inclement weather had the effect of moderating the attendance, but notwithstanding this discouraging circumstance the play was produced in splendid style. Mr. Ben. De Bar has a good conception of what Shakespeare intended in Sir John Falstaff. An old man, fattened with good living, with his blood thickened by deep notions of sack, he still affects a youthful fire, and his scanty and whitened locks, fat jowls and unwieldy body forms a striking and amusing contrast with his youthful vigor. The lecherous, gluttonous, boasting, prattling, wise bilber is glossed over with the graces of a courtier. Then Sir John has a quaint humor, which is irresistible. This is the picture that he draws of himself….

The other parts in the play are assumed by gentlemen with whom Washington people have had some acquaintance. Mr. Louis L. James assumes the role of Prince Hal gracefully and effectively. His auditors were reminded of his late bereavement by the sombre costume in which he appeared in the first act, and a scarf of black, which hung gracefully from his cap over his shoulders.

Election returns

Okay, I said I was done with the election, but another interesting article on it appears on the second page of the National Republican.

In accordance with our usual custom, we have made the most complete arrangements practicable for the early receipt and display of the election returns to-night upon the Avenue front of the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN Building, by means of the sciopticon and the calcium light. The returns will be received by means of a Western Union telegraphic wire directly in this office, and at once displayed to the public by Professor Gardner, of photo graphic fame. Should the weather by propitious we expect to be able to make a more prompt, effective and successful display than ever before. It is needless for us to remind the readers of this journal that we have hitherto excelled all others in our efforts to place the earliest and most complete information of results of national elections at the disposal of the public, regardless of attendant expenses … It is nearly certain, therefore, that we shall be able to relieve the suspense and anxiety of all parties on the all-absorbing subject of the next Presidency by definite information before they sleep. In common with the large majority of our readers, we are full and strong in the faith that the successful candidates will be HAYES and WHEELER.

The promotion of cutting-edge technology on election night very much reminds me of CNN (i.e. remember the ’08 Will.I.Am hologram? #GIMMICK)

The best part is below, predicting outcomes based upon the weather.

CLEAR weather and a fair, square chance is all that Hayes and Wheeler require t-day.

The roughs and rowdies will vote to-day, “rain or shine.” Hence the Democratic advantage in the event of rain/

MUDDY, rainy weather, damp, unpropitious, unforboding and dispiriting atmospheric surroundings will aid Tilden and Hendricks to-day.

ONE of the most egregious errors made by the Opposition is a reliance upon Wisconsin for Tilden and Hendricks. The Republican of that State do not “dig potatoes” in the Centennial year.

EVERY good man, woman and child in the country will work for Hayes and Wheeler to-day; even these in the District of Columbia, where they have no votes, will pray for Republican success.

For rent …

This is pretty cool. There was an election happening, but people still needed to find a place to live.

Take a look at the rental market back in 1876. Each dollar back then would be worth about $20 today (for easy math), so $50 in rent then would be about $1,000 today.

real estate listings – November 7th, 1876

You could live at 6th and Pennsylvania back then for $50 ($1,000 today) not bad. Massachusetts Avenue at 14th St. is super pricey at $300 ($6,000 today). I need to find a photo of that building. I imagine it was pretty nice.

Here’s another interesting one. This is an advertisement to sell 317 C St. SE on Capitol Hill. Current records on Zillow indicate this house was built in 1880, but the description from 1876 appears to match what the house is today — three stories and a basement. The price of $5,000 then ($100,000 today) is just a notch below Zillow’s $996,400 (as of May 15th, 2012). If you know the residents, this would be an excellent thing to share with them.

advertisement for 317 C St. SE – November 7th, 1876

Take a look at the house today.

317 C St. SE (Bing Maps)

Here’s another great house I found for sale or rent. This one is at 1434 Q St. NW (it’s possible that it says 1414 Q). It was (and is) an impressive home with 17 rooms. Zillow pegs this home at $1.5 million today. It also lists it being built in 1880, but this advertisement is from 1876.

1434 Q St. NW – November 7th, 1876

Below is the Google Street View image of the home today. I’m sure you’ve walking by this home several times en route to Pearl Dive Oyster Palace.

1434 Q St. NW DC (Google Maps)

Proposals for marble tiling for the United States General Post Office

You know this building now at the Hotel Monaco on F St in Gallery Place. It used to be the General Post Office Building and it was originally built in two stages between 1839 and 1866. In 1876, a request for proposal was put out for new tiling. Below is the request as listed in the National Republican.

request for proposal in the National Republican – November 7th, 1876

Mathew Brady at the National Portrait Gallery

This is a pretty big deal. Mathew Brady had returned to Washington and reopened his gallery to the public, including personally engaging with those that visited. If you don’t know Brady, he was the most prominent Civil War-era photographer, taking incredible photos of Lincoln, Sherman, and the Grand Review of the Armies in Washington just 12 years earlier.

Mathew Brady at the National Portrait Gallery – November 7th, 1876

A pretty fascinating insight into what was happening in Washington the day of the election.

Related articles

• The White House Easter Egg Roll (ghostsofdc.org)
• Calvin Coolidge, Vermont Native and Our 30th President (ghostsofdc.org)
• If Walls Could Talk: Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar (ghostsofdc.org)