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 at what could have been! Howard University proposed extending Vermont Ave. from Florida Ave. to Georgia Ave. back in 1919. See the maps, read the letter of rejection, and check out the intersection today on Google Maps.
Take a trip down memory lane and experience the nostalgia of Piggly Wiggly, the seriously southern brand that no longer exists in Washington. Check out this cool old advertisement from 1922.
This old photograph from the 1880s shows the Washington Nationals playing at Swampoodle Grounds. Click on the image to see amazing details. Source: Architect of the Capitol.
Take a look back at life in Southwest Washington in the 1950s with this photo of a corner store at 4th and M St. SW. See how the same corner looks today with a Google Maps embed.
Explore the historic Godey Lime Kilns, built in 1864 to produce lime and plaster for Washington D.C. Added to National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Revisit a street corner in Washington, DC from 1942 to now with this blog post and Google Street View. See how the building across the street has changed from 1942 to now.
Learn the fascinating story behind the renaming of MacArthur Blvd. in D.C. It was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1942 to honor General Douglas MacArthur, the famous World War II general. Read on to learn more!
Take a look at this 1911 advertisement from The Washington Times. Can you believe that some of these homes were only $38 a month? Take a look back at the past!
We miss the days of old saloons in Washington. Here's a look at 3 saloons we'd love to visit again: J.J. O'Keefe's, The Indian and Oedekoven's. Learn more about each one and why we miss them.
Take a look at this amazing piece of history: an 1852 dollar bill issued by the Bank of the United States. Read more to learn the story behind this incredible currency item.
Take a look at this incredible photo from the Library of Congress, showing a large group of people on 13th St. NW. This is a fascinating glimpse into the past!
