Washington, DC History & Old Stories of DC

A Look Back at Logan Circle in the 1920s

Take a look back at Logan Circle in the 1920s with this photo from the Library of Congress. Learn more about the history of Logan Circle with Ghosts of DC.

Friendship Heights Shopping Circa 1959

This lovely old image shows Lord & Taylor way back in 1959. Check out the beautiful old cars and the lousy parking jobs.

Tracing the Construction of the Arts and Industries Building on the Mall in Washington, DC

Take a journey through time and explore the construction of the Arts and Industries Building on the Mall in Washington, DC. From the 1879 photo to the 1878 rendering to the finished product, see it all!

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What's a Herdic Cab? What Did They Look Like?

A herdic cab is a type of horse-drawn carriage, used as an omnibus, invented by Peter Herdic of Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in 1881.

Washington, D.C., circa 1927. Nature Magazine -- Walter Layman. (Colorized Photo).

Two New Colorized Photos to Identify the Location of a 1927 Image

Discover two new colorized photos from 1927. See if you can identify the buildings in the background and pinpoint the location! Spend at least an hour of your morning on this awesome image from Pinterest.

Photo shows a man and a boy in summer straw hats happily displaying some unidentifiable papers on F Street, with the Treasury and a new electric hooded arc streetlight in the background. One of a series of scenes near Painter's office at 14th and E streets, this picture bears the hallmarks of the new "snapshot" style now made possible by the invention of the quick, hand-held Kodak: natural smiles and the movement of the ladies under the umbrella.

Uncovering the Past: A Look at this Fascinating 1885 Photo

Take a look at this fascinating photo from 1885! Uncovering the past, this photo from the Library of Congress shows a man and a boy in summer straw hats happily displaying some unidentifiable papers on F Street.

Woodrow Wilson revived the tradition of the oral State of the Union address (1913)

Woodrow Wilson's 1913 State of the Union

The first State of the Union was in 1800 by our second president, John Adams. Thomas Jefferson began the tradition of passing along the state of the union in writing to Congress, allegedly because he felt he was an inadequate public speaker. In 1913, the task of speaking directly to a joint session of Congress was reestablished by Woodrow Wilson. Woodrow Wilson revived the tradition of the oral State of the Union address (1913) Gentlemen of the Congress: In pursuance of my constitutional duty...

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Washington, D.C., circa 1931. "Fifteenth Street at Pennsylvania Avenue." Note the traffic lights, which made their D.C. debut in 1926, as well as the traffic-cop gazebo at center ("NO LEFT TURN") and streetcar switch tower to its left. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative.

A Look Back at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Circa 1931

Take a look back at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. circa 1931. See the traffic lights, traffic-cop gazebo, and streetcar switch tower in this amazing old photo. Source: Shorpy.

1925 Washington Visit: Photos from a Grandparent's Honeymoon

Thanks to GoDCer Judith for sharing photos from her grandparents' honeymoon Washington visit in 1925. See the views of the Capitol, Mt. Vernon and more!

Map of Washington, D.C., and environs : with marginal numbers and measuring tape attachment for instantly locating points of interest within a radius of twenty miles from the Capitol /

Exploring Washington, DC in 1887: An Incredible Old Map

Check out this incredible old map of Washington, DC from 1887. See how the city and its environs looked over 130 years ago and explore the points of interest within a 20 mile radius of the Capitol.

Geronimo and Five Other Indian Chiefs in Teddy Roosevelt's Inaugural Parade in 1905

Discover the amazing story of how Geronimo and five other Western Indian chiefs attended and celebrated Teddy Roosevelt's inaugural parade in Washington, DC in 1905. Click the image for a larger version.

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The Washington Herald - August 31st, 1919

Uncovering the Institute for Physical Development: Two Vintage Ads from 1919

Take a look back in time with us as we uncover two vintage advertisements from 1919 featuring the Institute for Physical Development. See what life was like in Washington, DC a century ago!

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

1886 Panorama of D.C. from Smithsonian Castle

What an incredible 360-degree panorama of Washington from 1886. This image was taken from the top of the Smithsonian Castle. Don't miss it!

Night view in rain [of Capitol] taken from steps [Neptune Plaza] of Library of Congress

A Stunning Photo of the Capitol Building Taken in 1921 From the Steps of the Library of Congress

Take a look at this stunning photo of the Capitol Building taken in 1921 from the steps of the Library of Congress. See the beautiful night view in the rain and learn more about the history of this iconic building.