History of Washington, D.C.

Independence Avenue Before the FAA Headquarters

Mar 19, 2018 Faces & Places of Yesterday

600 block of Independence Ave. SW in 1941

Take a look at the building below. This is the Federal Aviation Administration’s headquarters on Independence Ave. SW. It obviously didn’t always look like this. Now look below at what the block looked like in 1941, on the eve of …

Awesome Piggly Wiggly Advertisement

Mar 16, 2018 Old Ads & Classifieds

Piggly Wiggly is a seriously southern brand, which no longer exists in Washington. But here’s a cool old advertisement showing the Pig back in 1922. Source: Library of Congress

The White House Before Fences and Security

Mar 14, 2018 Faces & Places of Yesterday, Notable People & Places

Can you even believe this photo. This dude is just sitting on what appears to be a low stone wall on the south side of the White House. This would be E St. today and if you even came close …

Negro Laborers at Alexandria Wharf

Mar 12, 2018 Faces & Places of Yesterday

Negro laborers at Alexandria, near coal wharf

This photo was posted by the National Archives and labeled as “negro laborers, near coal wharf.” This beautiful old photo shows the faces of regular African-Americans in the 1860s, living and working around Alexandria. Photos like this really make you …

Skeleton of National Archives Building in 1933

Mar 5, 2018 Notable People & Places

This is what the National Archives building looked like before it took shape in the 1930s. What a fascinating old photo. Source: National Archives

The Kennedys at Camp David

Mar 1, 2018 Notable People & Places

31 March 1963 President John F. Kennedy and family watch Caroline Kennedy riding a horse named "Tex" at Camp David. "Tex" is wearing a blue and gold Moroccan saddle, a gift to President Kennedy from King Hassan II. Photograph includes: (L-R) Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Jr., First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and President Kennedy. Camp David, Maryland. Please credit "Robert Knudsen, White House/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston"

This photo was taken on March 31st, 1963. It shows the whole Kennedy clan happily spending some time together at Camp David. Caroline is on top of the horse, while little John holds his mother’s hand. Source: National Archives

Look at 11th Street NW Back in the 1920s

Feb 28, 2018 Faces & Places of Yesterday

Here’s a great old photo of Washington back in the 1920s. You’re looking down 11th St. NW from L St. Source: National Archives And here is what it looks like today on Google Street View. You can still see the …

Flying Saucers Over the Capitol and White House

Feb 26, 2018 From the Crazy Vault

The hot summer of 1952 witnessed some bizarre lights floating over the District. Evidently for many nights in July, sightings were reported of up to seven lights flying around the night sky, including over the Capitol Building. Radar operators claimed …

Best Aerial Photo of Griffith Stadium in 1925

Feb 22, 2018 Faces & Places of Yesterday

We’ve looked for a high resolution image of Griffith Stadium for quite some time. We finally dug one up at the National Archives. Check it out below. Source: National Archives Here’s another great one we found.

Rare Photo of Frederick Douglass in Front of His Home

Feb 20, 2018 Notable People & Places

1876. Photographer: W.W. Core, Washington, D.C. Frederick Douglass is standing on the front lawn of his home on A Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. Other family members are standing out on the front porch on both side of the houses.

This amazing find was dug up courtesy of the National Park Service. You’re look at a grainy image of Frederick Douglass standing in front of his home on Capitol Hill at 320 A St. NE. The home still stands today …