Washington, DC History & Old Stories of DC

Centreville, VA was established in 1792 by local landowners with the intent of creating a center point between the more established towns: Alexandria, Colchester, Dumfries, Middleburg, Georgetown, Warrenton, and Leesburg. Learn more about its fascinating origin story here.

Aerial view of the Willard Hotel during restoration, Washington, D.C.

Restoring Grandeur: The 1980s Renovation of the Willard Hotel

Take a look back at the Willard Hotel's major renovations in the 1980s with this aerial image of the iconic Washington, D.C. hotel. Learn more about the history of the Willard Hotel with this post!

What Could Have Been: Howard University's Proposed Extension of Vermont Ave. in 1919

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.

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Revisiting Streetcar Life in Washington, DC: A Look Back at Life in 1943

What was it like riding the streetcars of Washington on the 1940s? Take a look at this series of great old photos.

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...

Criminal Automobiles: A Letter to the Editor

The most practical remedy is to establish government dispensaries for limited sales to good citizens who are not drunkards. This will eventually be done.

23 Detailed Maps of Washington, D.C. in 1874

These are old maps of Washington in 1874. They're amazingly detailed and are a "manual for business men."

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Who Was Involved in the Watergate Scandal?

Remember the names of those involved in the Watergate scandal? In August 1974, Richard Nixon resigned before being impeached.

Explore Washington in 1951 with this Amazing Historical Map from the U.S. Geological Survey

Take a step back in time and explore Washington in 1951 with this historical topographic map from the U.S. Geological Survey. Check it out today!

A crowd lines up for the movie, "Love Letters," starrring Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotton, at the Republic Theatre on the north side of the 1300 block of U Street, 1945-1946.

Remembering the Republic Theatre at 13th and U St.

Take a look back at the Republic Theatre on the north side of the 1300 block of U St. Opened in 1921, it was unfortunately demolished in 1976 to make way for the new Metro. See a photo of the theater from 1945-46!

Temple Court off D Street and Delaware, SW, Washington, D. C.

Exploring Southwest D.C. Through This Old Photo From the 1930s and 1940s

Take a look back in time at Southwest D.C. in the 1930s & 1940s through this old photograph. See how the area has changed since then and explore the 1927 Baist map of the area.

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Exploring Washington, D.C. From the Air: An Incredible 1922 Photo

Take a look at this incredible 1922 photo of Washington, D.C. taken from the air. Click on the image for a larger version and explore the city's history up close!

Charles Lindbergh with his plane, the Spirit of St. Louis

Charles Lindbergh Parade in D.C.

Charles Lindbergh was celebrated with a huge parade in Washington, D.C. upon returning from his historic 1927 transatlantic flight.

Circa 1924, "Metropolitan Methodist Church, C Street, Washington, D.C." And the Ford building next door. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size. The church, at C Street NW and John Marshall Place, was abandoned and razed after the congregation moved to its Nebraska Avenue location in the 1930s. The 1905 Ford Motor Co. building on Pennsylvania Avenue was torn down in 1980.

The Sad Tale of the Destruction of a Beautiful Old Church in the Name of Progress

What a sad tale of progress - a beautiful old church, destroyed in the name of progress. Read the story of how this once grand building was lost forever, and the impact it had on its community.

The White House Conservatory in 1857: What It Was Like During James Buchanan and Franklin Pierce's Presidencies

Take a look at the White House conservatory in 1857, and get a glimpse into what life was like during the presidencies of James Buchanan and Franklin Pierce. The conservatory was eventually demolished to be replaced by the West Wing.

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