We’re on a roll here with these photos, especially with ones of the White House. Here’s one of a concert given by the United States Marine Corps Band on the South Lawn. The photo was taken on July 16th, 1921. Now, here’s a photo of a more contemporary concert on the White House South Lawn. This is a view of ... Read More »
Times sure were different. Check out this photo of a massive crowd pushing their way into the White House. They’re all waiting just to shake the hand of President Calvin Coolidge. Read More »
Here is something you are highly unlikely to see today. Kids on the South Lawn, riding a goat cart. Quaint. Read More »
What a terrific old photo of the State, War and Navy Building around the turn of the century. Read More »
Here’s a great photo from around the turn of the century. It’s of a policeman, standing guard in front of the White House, taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston. Read More »
This is a photograph from the Library of Congress, circa 1926. Definitely not something you’re likely to see these days. Read More »
Wow … another amazing shot. This one is colorized from 1921, taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston. Incredible details. Thank you Library of Congress! Read More »
A great article in the Washington Post from November 2nd, 1902 is very apropos for this blog, or at least the name of the blog. We don’t really write about ghosts stories, except for the allegedly haunted suite at the Omni Shoreham and the Octagon House. Well, every now and then we make an exception, and this article is one ... Read More »
How much do GoDCers love these old Baist maps? We love them so much that we’re giving you a two-for-one. Read More »
Americans love France, but we hate the French. Okay, maybe hate is a strong word, but we do have a very bizarre relationship with France. It’s kind of unfair, given that they pretty much legitimized the Revolution and helped us actually become a country. And, it goes both ways with the Americans and Allied Forces liberating the French from Nazi ... Read More »
Why are these men sweeping the South Lawn? I have no idea. This photo was taken some time in the 1920s. Actually, just kidding. Those aren’t push brooms, they are bull rakes … at least according to the post on Shorpy. Read More »
Last week we posted a detailed topographical map of Rock Creek Park from 1866. There were some great comments on it, including GoDCer Elizabeth’s observation that the map was entitled “Location for a Public Park & Site for Presidential Mansion” … intriguing. Another GoDCer, Carlton from Glover Park History, did some digging and came up with the Annual Reports of the ... Read More »
We love this old photo of the White House, which we found in the Library of Congress’ archives. There is not date on it, but since there is no Truman Balcony, it’s likely some time in the 1920s or 1930s. Read More »
This is a great picture, shared by GoDCer Mike, showing Harry Atwood, taking off from the South Lawn of the White House. This photo was taken on July 14th, 1911. Atwood had traveled all the way from Boston, at the time, the longest distance ever traveled by airplane. He had only learned to fly three months prior. Below is an ... Read More »
We came across this article in the Washington Post from November 17th, 1955. Seems like people were getting pretty frustrated at the closing of roads and parking near the White House. No one, we are sure, begrudges the White House staff a reasonable amount of reasonable amount of reserved parking space on the streets. The continuing encroachment on the Ellipse, ... Read More »
Ghosts of DC The lost and untold history of Washington