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.
Electric railways drove Arlington's transformation from rural to suburban between 1892-1941. This history shows how rail paved the way for the county's growth.
This is one of the more fascinating maps we have come across. It shows every single location George Washington visited during his life, all up and down the east coast. From Savannah in the south to Kittery, Maine in the north. The map below was done by the National Geographic Magazine in honor of the first president's 200th birthday.
Take a look at Petworth's development in the early 20th century with these ads from The Evening Star in 1926. See how the homes look today in Google Street View!
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!
This amazing old photo of the General Post Office in Washington, DC, still stands today. Check out the beautiful image from 1846. The building is now the Washington Monaco Hotel.
Discover the fascinating history of Childs Restaurant in Washington, DC - the chain that originated in New York City and spread southward. Learn about the unique building of the Massachusetts Ave. location and more.
Take a look at this photograph taken of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. precisely at 10:55 a.m. Click for a larger, more detailed version.
Digging through old newspaper archives and the U.S. Census, uncover the tragic tale of Rudolph and Mary Scheitlin that was printed in The Baltimore Sun in 1905. Learn the story of their rocky marriage, her dalliances and the fateful night that ended in murder.
Take a look at what a proposed National Mall could have looked like from the Capitol Building in the early 1900s. See photos and find out more about this fascinating idea.
Take a journey back in time with these 1932 apartment listings. See any buildings that you recognize, or maybe lived in? Add your commentary below and share your discoveries!
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.
Explore a piece of history with a fascinating map from the Harvard University online archives. Take a look back to explore the District of Columbia in the late 1800s.
