In the 1950s, the top entertainers in the country performed on 14th Street NW. By the early 1980s, it was known as Washington's "combat zone," lined with topless bars and adult bookstores. By 1986, it was rubble. What happened in between reveals how gentrification works when moral crusades and economic interests perfectly align.
Delve into 1930s Washington D.C. apartment listings and discover how the Great Depression and the presidential campaign influenced living conditions. Explore affordable rents, modern amenities, and the challenges faced by residents in this historic era.
The original statue of Samuel DuPont sat for more than a generation at the center of Dupont Circle. Then it was removed because people thought it was ugly. Read the story to learn more.
Remember the days of Griffith Stadium? Learn about the demise of this D.C. landmark, which was the site of three World Series, two All-Star games, and eight U.S. Presidents. Read the sad article from the Washington Post and watch a YouTube video to learn more.
Take a trip back in time and explore a 1923 Chevy Chase home through real estate advertisements and Google Street View. See what the home looked like nearly a century ago!
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.
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.
What's the origin of Maryland's name? And, what was the early pyramid scheme used to attract residents to the new colony? The answers may surprise you.
Why are there no interstate highways cutting through Washington? It's one of the few cities without a major highway right through it. Learn the history going back to the 1960s.
Take a look at the north side of F Street in DC's Gallery Place with this historical photograph from the Library of Congress. Learn more about this area of DC today!
Travel back in time with this incredible photo of street life on Pennsylvania Ave. in the 1920s. Take a closer look at this stunning image captured by the Library of Congress.
Check out this captivating aerial view of the National Mall from the Capitol and Library of Congress to the Potomac. Get an amazing perspective of the city from above!
Take a journey back in time with us as we explore the past with an 1892 map of the rural area around Tenley and a 1904 book about Columbia Heights. Learn more about the history of the area!
Join us as we uncover the mystery of the 1913 Washington, DC storm. We'll take a look at the photo, the damage it caused, and what we can learn from it.
