dupontcircletunnels
Harrison Dyar: The Scientist Who Dug Secret Tunnels Under D.C.
The peculiar tale of Harrison G. Dyar Jr., the brilliant entomologist who dug elaborate tunnels below Washington D.C. in secret for years until the underground network was accidentally exposed in 1924, sparking mystery.
Proposed D.C. subway system
Proposed D.C. Subway During World War II
Near the end of World War II, there was an interesting proposal to build a subway in the District to alleviate post-war traffic.
balloons-1930s-party
The Fascinating History of Selling Balloons on the Streets of D.C.
Discover the fascinating history of balloon selling on the streets of Washington D.C. in the 1930s, including how much money vendors like Joe the Greek could make in an afternoon.
11th and L St. NW in the 1920s
A Tale of Two Cities: Comparing a 1920s Photo of Washington D.C. to Today's Google Street View
Take a look at this side-by-side comparison of a 1920s photo of Washington D.C. from L St. NW and what the same area looks like today on Google Street View. See how the city has changed!
1877 view of the Washington Monument under construction as seen from the Tower of the Smithsonian (now the Smithsonian Castle)
1877 View of the Washington Monument Under Construction as Seen from the Smithsonian
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.
The view south from the top of the Washington Monument. Ice covers half of the Tidal Basin
Take a Look at what the Jefferson Memorial Area Looked Like Before 1943
Take a look at this great photo from 1908 showing what the area around the Jefferson Memorial and the Capitol Building looked like before the memorial was completed in 1943.
Potomac River in 1898
A Rare Photo of the Potomac River from 1898
Take a look at this stunning photo of the Potomac River from 1898. Learn more about this rare photo from the Library of Congress and read comments from the GhostsofDC community.
General Post Office from the corner of 8th Street and E Street, NW, Washington, D.C., the shop of Elija Dyer, merchant tailor, on the left
A Look at the Amazing Old Photo of the General Post Office in Washington, DC
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.
Aerial view of U.S. Capitol and crowd on the grounds of the east front of the U.S. Capitol, during the inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, March 4, 1933
A Look Back: Comparing FDR, Eisenhower, and Obama Inauguration Photos
Take a look back at history with photos of historic inaugurations of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and Barack Obama. See how the ceremonies have changed over the years!
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Explore Virginia in Unprecedented Detail with this Incredible Civil War Map
Discover an incredible Civil War map of part of Virginia from Alexandria to the Potomac River above Washington, D.C. Click on the image for a much larger version. Source: Library of Congress.
Oak View - home of President Cleveland - Oct. 3, 1897
Why Is It Named Cleveland Park?
What is today Cleveland Park was an area for well-off Washingtonians to build their summer cottages. It was far enough away from swampy hot downtown and elevated to provide some breezy relief.
View of the Smithsonian Institution Building looking east up B Street (Independence Ave) towards the U.S. Capitol. Grounds are landscaped following a plan laid out by Andrew Jackson Downing, with the Castle nestled among trees. Visible amidst the trees is the Magnetic Observatory, built in 1853. People stand along the fence installed along the sidewalk on B Street In this image, the central roof of the Castle is intact and the small towers have the caps on them. In January of 1865, a fire destroyed the central roof and the caps on the towers, so this photograph had to have been taken prior to January 1865 and is most likely April 1863. The Capitol dome, seen in the distance, is not yet completed
The Smithsonian Castle in its Original Splendor: A View of DC's Iconic Building in 1863
Take a step back in time and explore a Civil War-era photo of Independence Ave. This incredible photo showcases the Smithsonian Institution Building and the U.S. Capitol dome, taken before the 1865 fire. Source: Smithsonian Archives.
Union Station, bird's-eye view from the south
A Stunning Look at Union Station in the 1920s
Take a look at this stunning photo of Union Station in the 1920s! Learn more about this amazing piece of history on GhostsofDC.org.
Landscape drawing shows storefronts on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC between 22nd and 23rd streets. A shopkeeper stands in the doorway of one of the buildings. Women are on the sidewalk. A car is parked at the curb.
Marveling at a Beautiful 1920s Drawing by Susan Brown Chase
Take a look at this stunning drawing from the 1920s done by Susan Brown Chase. It shows storefronts on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C. between 22nd and 23rd streets. View the source to learn more!
Washington, D.C., circa 1922. "NO CAPTION (Children, police motorcycles with sidecars, and streetcar in street)." From a series of photos whose subject seems to be traffic safety. Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative.
Where was this Photo Taken? Investigating a 1922 Street Scene in Washington, D.C.
Investigate a 1922 street scene in Washington, D.C. with this photo. We'll explore clues to figure out exactly where it was taken. Join us to uncover the mystery!

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