For 70+ years, DC taxis used zone fares, but proposals for meters instead sparked endless debates. This history explores DC's zone system, the battle over meters vs. zones, and how meters finally replaced zones in 2008.
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.
Take a look at this fascinating 1894 map of Tennallytown and Reno, done by G.M. Hopkins & Co. We'll point out a few things of note and invite you to share what else you notice. Happy Friday!
This incredible old photograph shows Alexandria, Virginia as seen from the air in 1919. Click on the image to see some amazing details. Source: Library of Congress.
Explore a captivating 1942 photograph of Washington D.C. during a gasoline shortage, revealing the city's resilience and adaptation to wartime challenges through a focus on its streetcar control tower and altered transportation habits.
Journey through time and explore the history of Hyattsville Hardware - a building that has stood since 1940. See the old photo and view the building today on Google Street View.
What is today Cleveland Park was an area for well-off Washingtonians to build their summer cottages. It was far enough away from swampy hot downtown and elevated to provide some breezy relief.
Explore an incredible old map from 1887 of Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights. See old street names and the Columbia College Subdivision. Click through to see greater details.
Discover the proposed design for the Smithsonian Castle from 1846. Learn about the Gothic design with three stories, a central tower/cupola, crenellated embattlements, and symmetrical wings from the Building Committee of the Board of Regents.
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.
Take a look back at Fidel Castro's historic visit to DC in 1959, when the Cuban leader appeared as a 'surprise' guest on the Steve Allison show at the Ceres Restaurant. What was the public perception of him then?
In 1954, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie presented a pair of elephant tusks to District leaders in Washington, DC. Now, they have been stolen and the Metropolitan Police Department has asked for help in finding them. See photos and read descriptions of the tusks Selassie gave in other cities.
