Published July 7, 2014

Exploring the History of Washington D.C.’s Eckington Rail Yard

Take a look back at the history of Washington D.C.'s Eckington Rail Yard with rare photos from the 1920s, a map from 1919, and a modern comparison to the FedEx shipping center at the intersection of New York Ave. and Florida Ave.

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We came across a great photo via Shorpy’s Twitter handle this weekend. It shows the old Eckington rail yard back in the 1920s.

"Eckington Yards, June 4, 1923." A rare and unusually detailed look at the Baltimore & Ohio rail yard in Washington, D.C., during that year's big gathering of Masonic lodges. National Photo Company glass negative. — “Eckington Yards, June 4, 1923.” A rare and unusually detailed look at the Baltimore & Ohio rail yard in Washington, D.C., during that year’s big gathering of Masonic lodges. National Photo Company glass negative.

"Past and present in locomotives. Eckington Yards, June 4, 1923." A closeup of the locomotive in the Baltimore & Ohio rail yard during the Masonic convention in Washington, D.C. The big engine wears the livery of "Boumi Temple," a Baltimore Shrine lodge. 5x7 glass negative. — “Past and present in locomotives. Eckington Yards, June 4, 1923.” A closeup of the locomotive in the Baltimore & Ohio rail yard during the Masonic convention in Washington, D.C. The big engine wears the livery of “Boumi Temple,” a Baltimore Shrine lodge. 5×7 glass negative.

Eckington Yards, 1923. Rare and detailed look at Baltimore & Ohio rail yard. Washington, D.C. http://t.co/4FnPxLtKYi pic.twitter.com/0ve8zA6AEs
— Shorpy (@Shorpy) May 30, 2014