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.
This series of maps shows property values, pavement times, public schools, railroads, street sweeping schedules and more. Don't miss these incredible maps showing 1880s life in Washington.
Doyle Allen Hicks wanted to warn President Kennedy of the coming communist takeover of the country. Find out what happened after he drove his truck through the White House gates.
Harry Wardman was a prolific developer of Northwest in the 1920s. This ad from The Evening Star shows some of his homes on Cathedral Ave. in Woodley Park.
Hazy blue smoke surrounds the origins of the annual Fourth of July Smoke-In. Though it now takes place in Lafayette Square, across the barricaded street from the White House, it began on the Mall.
Explore the history of Mass Ave. Heights & Park, two early 20th century developments near Rock Creek Park and Observatory Circle. Learn about their current status as the Woodland-Normanstone neighborhood of lovely giant homes.
Take a look at what the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. looked like the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Reminiscent of the day after 9/11, this historic moment in history is remembered and honored here.
See what the Washington Monument looked like in 1877, as seen from the Tower of the Smithsonian (now the Smithsonian Castle). This stunning view shows the Monument under construction, a testament to the resilience of the nation.
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.
We love old ads here at Ghosts of DC and this is a great one from The Evening Star, printed on June 24th, 1906. Three weeks later, Alfred Dreyfus was exonerated, bringing an end to the Dreyfus Affair.
Take a look at this fascinating 18th century map of Arlington County and discover why it was named Arlington. Find out more about the history of the county with this interesting blog post!
This Thanksgiving, take a look back at historical photos of Peirce Mill and the Rock Creek Park spring house in 1910. Amazingly, the structures look almost exactly the same today!
Take a look back in time with these two photos from April 2nd, 1925, showing the National Cathedral under construction. Unique views of the interior and exterior of the structure are included.
Take a look back in time to the 1910s and explore the ladies' waiting room at Union Station. See the sparsely decorated room and imagine what it was like for women to wait for their train 100 years ago.
