Washington D.C.’s historic Whitelaw Hotel hosted jazz legends Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway during the segregation era when it opened in 1919 as a luxurious refuge for black travelers. Built by black visionaries like John W. Lewis and Isaiah T. Hatton, the Whitelaw's storied rise, fall, and rebirth embodies the struggles and achievements of African Americans in the capital.
Take a look back in time and explore Alexandria, Virginia through vintage photos taken on September 23rd, 1940. Enjoy a glimpse of the past captured through Charles W. Cushman's Photograph Collection.
Take a look back to 1907 with this advertisement for Silver Spring Park, printed in The Washington Times. See the history of the park and its attractions and offerings in this vintage ad.
On November 21, 1929, a boiler explosion in the basement of the McCrory five-and-dime store in Washington, D.C. killed six people and injured dozens more. The legacy of the McCrory disaster serves as a reminder of the importance of workplace safety and the need to remain vigilant in upholding high standards of safety and prevention.
Pierre L'Enfant had originally planned the City of Washington around a right triangle, with the eastern portion at the Capitol, the northern portion at the White House and the 90 degree angle close to where the Washington Monument sits today. Thomas Jefferson marked this spot in 1793 with a wooden post, which was replaced in 1804 with the Jefferson Pier.
Take a look at an old map of Sixteenth Street Heights and explore the area today. See the notable buildings like the old French Embassy, The White House, and Henderson Castle. Plus, learn why it's called Sixteenth Street Heights and why there's also 14th Street Heights.
Take a look into history with this grainy image of Frederick Douglass standing in front of his home on Capitol Hill at 320 A St. NE. The home still stands today and you can walk by it, looking almost the same. See it today on Google Street View.
Take a look back into history with this unique photo from 1908 of the United States House of Representatives. Learn about the laws passed, senators debating, and the socializing in the evening.
Take a look at this old photo taken in 1938 of a parking lot in DC. Can you identify where this is? Join the GoDC community and add your thoughts in the comments.
Take a look at this historic map of the Washington streetcar system from 1912, courtesy of the Library of Congress! Click to see a bigger, detailed version of this fascinating map.
Take a look back in time to 1917 when the Cuban War Mission visited the United States. See photos and learn more about the mission with this historical revisit.
Take a look at this incredible scene from Center Market in Washington, DC in 1913! See pedestrians, streetcars, horse and carriages, bicycles, and automobile traffic all in one photograph. An amazing glimpse into DC's past!
A glimpse into history with a look at the 1858 plan for the Navy Yard. Discover the fascinating details of this historic document, with images and more!
Explore the history of 3rd Street in Washington D.C. with this fascinating look at the evolution of the area from 1923 to today. See the Sherman house in the 300 block Third Street N.W. in a National Photo Company Collection glass negative.
Take a look at this amazing map of the Old Naval Hospital shared by a loyal GoDCer! We explore the history of this historic building and the proposed extension of New York Avenue that was never built. #GoDC #DCHistory #OldNavalHospital
![Map of Naval Hospital Washington, D.C. Showing Conditions on June 30, 1927. [includes hand-drawn "Proposed Extension of New York Avenue" and "Future Building Line"]. [map, Potomac Annex].Printed map, hand-colored with emendations. Marked "H.O. Misc. No. 7219" and "PW 2469". print 11x17 color. Navy Medicine Historical Files Collection - Facilities. [The New York Avenue extension was never built. Instead the North side of the base was cut off by an extension of Viginia Avenue, and the South side was truncated by the Institute of Peace.]](https://ghostsofdc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/07/14662497702_f69e69d69d_o-1024x614.jpg)
