Washington, DC History & Old Stories of DC

Washington, D.C. A street scene showing street cars crossing at 14th Street and New York Avenue, photographed from a building near the Lotus Club

Capturing History from Above: Washington, D.C. Street Scene in 1939

This blog post examines a photograph of Washington, D.C. taken from a building near the Lotus Club in 1939. The image depicts a street scene showing streetcars crossing at 14th Street and New York Avenue, providing a unique aerial perspective of the city during that era. The post reflects on the historical significance of the photograph, serving as a time capsule of the past and a reminder of the rich history of our nation's capital.

Old D.C. Council Campaign Posters

Not everyone wins an election. Here's a sample of some people who ran for D.C. Council and didn't make it.

Exploring 1950s Washington, D.C. Through Film Footage

Discover Washington, D.C. from 1950s through film footage and narrative, including George Washington's slaves "living happily in their quarters." Watch the video to explore this fascinating era.

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Autumn 1984, Washington DC – The Best of Times, The Worst of Traffic: The Story of Dr. John O. Nestor and the Birth of 'Nestoring'

In Autumn 1984, Washington DC, Dr. John O. Nestor set off a heated discussion over driving etiquette with his left-lane strategy. His verb, 'Nestoring', has become an obscure verb and a lesson in sticking to your principles.

Uncovering a Historical Gem: the Willard Hotel around the Year 1904

Take a look at this amazing photo of the Willard Hotel from the year 1904. See what the building looked like in that era and click to learn more. Source: Library of Congress.

Swampoodle Grounds (near present day Union Station), also known as Capitol Park, was the home of the Washington Nationals baseball team of the National League from 1886 to 1889.

This Fascinating Old Photograph Shows the Washington Nationals Playing at Swampoodle Grounds in the 1880s

This old photograph from the 1880s shows the Washington Nationals playing at Swampoodle Grounds. Click on the image to see amazing details. Source: Architect of the Capitol.

A Look Back at the Treasury Building in 1860 Before the Civil War

Take a look back at the Treasury Building before the Civil War in 1860 with a photo from the Library of Congress. Learn more about this historic building from this blog post.

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The view south from the top of the Washington Monument. Ice covers half of the Tidal Basin

Take a Look at what the Jefferson Memorial Area Looked Like Before 1943

Take a look at this great photo from 1908 showing what the area around the Jefferson Memorial and the Capitol Building looked like before the memorial was completed in 1943.

Aerial view of Alexandria, Virgina taken in the 1980s.

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane and See Alexandria in the 1980s

Take a trip down memory lane and see Alexandria, Virginia in the 1980s with this aerial view from the Library of Congress. See if you can recognize parts of the city!

Why Is It Named Woodley Park?

The namesake in England no longer stands as it was torn down in 1962, but the one in Woodley Park is still there. In 1950 it became the property of the Maret School and currently serves as a library and administrative building.

The Heurich Brewery - A Historic Photo From 1910

Take a look at this historic photo of the Heurich Brewery, taken in 1910. The brewery stood on the current site of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Source: Library of Congress.

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Woodrow Wilson stands in the front of a convertible automobile stopped in the intersection of what was then N and Union Streets SW. Wilson, the driver of the car, and two woman in the back look east at something happening on N Street. A crowd gathered under a tree near the car and people in front of 485 N Street also look in the same direction. Two Secret Service agents look at the photographer. Written on the reverse is "Barney Neighborhood House, 470 N Street SW." Wilson had only been President of the US for two months when the photo was taken.

Woodrow Wilson in Southwest D.C.: An Old Photo from May 1913

Take a trip back in time to May 1913 with this amazing old photograph of the 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, driving around Southwest D.C. in a car!

A Look Back in Time – A Photo of Columbia Hospital from the Early 1920s

Take a look back in time and discover a photo of Columbia Hospital in Washington, DC, taken some time in the early 1920s. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

A Look Back at Union Station in Washington, DC in 1920

Take a look at this photo of Union Station in Washington, DC from around 1920. Two streetcars sit in front of the iconic building. Source: Library of Congress.