Washington, DC History & Old Stories of DC

Whitehurst Freeway / Rock Creek & Potomac Parkway, Washington, District of Columbia, DC

The Duo Who Built D.C.’s First Freeway: Archie Alexander, Maurice Repass, and the Whitehurst Story

In 1949, Washington opened its first elevated freeway—but the real story is the interracial engineering duo behind it. Discover how Archie Alexander and Maurice Repass built the Whitehurst Freeway and quietly broke barriers in Jim Crow-era America.

A Tragic Game at 14th and A: The 1912 Death of George S. Hiett

A fatal pitch during a 1912 church baseball game at 14th and A Streets NE claimed the life of George S. Hiett. This forgotten tragedy unfolded against a backdrop of neighborhood games, citywide injuries, and the shadow of the Titanic.

Union soldiers guarding the Potomac River in Washington, DC in 1861. Georgetown University is visible in the background. Photo by George Barnard

A Rare Look at Union Soldiers Guarding the Potomac River in 1861

Take a rare look at Union soldiers guarding the Potomac River in Washington, DC in 1861. Georgetown University is visible in the background. Photo by George Barnard.

No posts found

History of Washington's Suburbs

This is a great old map of the Washington area from 1961 showing all the real estate developments as featured by The Washington Post. We transcribed all 57 neighborhoods and their brief descriptions below. It’s quaint to read all the listings and the directions provided to get to the subdivisions. Remember reading directions or maps to get somewhere? Even printing Mapquest directions seems antiquated. Thanks to Google Maps and Waze, we’re never lost right? Or are we always lost with no...

Ad for Row Houses on Euclid Street in 1907

These homes on Euclid Street were some of the first in Washington designed by a woman. Check our the ads from 1907.

Traffic Photos From July 1936

Great old photos showing traffic in Washington back in 1936. Check out Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street jammed up with streetcars, automobiles and pedestrians.

About Brookland's Cuckold's Delight Subdivision

Why would somebody name a subdivision Cuckold's Delight? We can't think of a more bizarre name considering what it means.

No posts found

Washington, D.C. Sunday along the Tidal Basin

Relaxing on the Tidal Basin: A Look Back at Washington, D.C. in 1942

Take a look back at Washington, D.C. in 1942 during the dark early days of World War II. This photo, taken on a Sunday in July, shows people relaxing along the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial. See what else is in the background!

The Charles Joseph Nourse House: An 1827 Farm House in Tennallytown

A look at the Charles Joseph Nourse House, an 1827 farm house located in Tennallytown. Learn about the history of the house and view photos of the beautiful old home.

Washington, D.C., circa 1918. "World War I. Food Administration electric signs, 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue N.W." National Photo Co.

A Blast from the Past: 7th and Pennsylvania Ave. During World War I

Take a step back in time with this incredible old photo of 7th and Pennsylvania Ave. during World War I. Get a glimpse of what the streets of DC looked like during the war! #WWI #DC #History

Photograph_of_chaos_outside_the_Washington_Hilton_Hotel_after_the_assassination_attempt_on_President_Reagan_-_NARA_-_198514

"The President's Walk" Was Almost Reagan's Last

Hinckley was arrested and found not guilty of his charges by reason of insanity. He was sent to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, DC, less than ten minutes from the place he attempted to assassinate Reagan.

No posts found

Film Footage of D.C. After 1968 Riots

Here is some really sad and devastating film footage that we dug up showing the city after the riots of 1968.

The Wok n’ Roll Restaurant now occupies the space of the Surratt House. The original first floor door has been boarded up, and there is no evidence of the second story entrance or stairs.

Mary Surratt Boarding House is Now a Chinese Restaurant

Mary Surratt's boarding house is a Chinese restaurant, still standing just around the corner from Gallery Place Metro. Today, it's Wok and Roll.

Third in a series of four panoramic photographs of Washington, D.C., from left to right (west to east) taken from a tower in the Smithsonian Institution Building. The Mall area is covered with trees. The streets on the left perpendicular to the Mall are 12th Street and 11th Street. The long building on the right is Center Market bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue, 7th and 9th Streets, N.W. Up and behind Center Market on the right, the large building is the Pension Bureau Building bounded by F and G Streets, N.W., between 4th and 5th Streets, designed by General Montgomery C. Meigs, completed in 1887, later occupied by many government agencies and now known as the National Building Museum

Is Washington the Most Beautiful City in the World?

Explore the beauty of Washington DC, the US capital, and why many people believe it is the most beautiful city in the world. Learn about the McMillan Plan, the unbuilt Grant Memorial, and Frederick Law Olmsted. Read the full article from 1907.

Wide view of the Old Harvard Street Bridge across Rock Creek Park taken from the south (down creek) side. A dirt road with a log fence appears on the right.

Exploring the Harvard St. Bridge in Washington, DC

Take a look back in time to explore the Harvard St. Bridge in Washington, DC. This bridge crosses Rock Creek Park and has been a part of the city since 1909. See a photo of the old bridge and learn more here.

No posts found