Explore the history behind Washington, D.C.’s indoor smoking ban—from smoky bars and political battles to the 2007 law that cleared the air. Discover how health advocacy, public support, and city council debates transformed the District into a smoke-free capital.
The Civil War reached the outer edges of Washington in 1864. It was so close that President Lincoln rode near the front lines of Fort Stevens and came under fire.
Explore an old 1924 advertisement from the Evening Star for the Wardman Construction Company in Washington D.C. and see what the home is worth today. Plus a look at the house and the Lighting Educational Committee.
We discovered a 1947 street scene in Washington, DC and set out to solve the mystery of where it was. We found the answer, and you can too by reading our blog post!
Discover Washington, D.C. from 1950s through film footage and narrative, including George Washington's slaves "living happily in their quarters." Watch the video to explore this fascinating era.
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.
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.
Discover the origins of Columbia Heights in this 1885 map. It shows what would become the northern part of Columbia Heights and points to the street name changes that took place. Click through to view the full-sized map!
Take a journey through the lost neighborhood of Herring Hill in Georgetown, DC. Learn about its history, including an interesting story from 1895, and explore the area with a Google Map!
Discover the mystery of the smokestack on Capitol Hill! An image sent to us by GoDCer Geoff and a satellite view from Google Maps help us to unravel this mystery. Check out the 1921 Baist map and share your thoughts in the comments!
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!
Take a look at 1810 Shepherd St. in Washington, DC, from the 1950s to today. See how the building has changed over the years. Check it out on Ghosts of DC!
Take a journey back in time with this old map of Columbia Heights and 16th St. NW. Click on it for a larger version and explore to see what you recognize. Who knows, maybe you'll see your place. There are quite a few buildings still standing!
