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.
When motorcycle gangs roared through idyllic 1960sArlington wielding guns and attitude, this quiet suburb transformed into a hotbed of biker brawls, babes, and cop-defying crime sprees.
Explore the lives of young boys working at the Alexandria Glass Company in the 1910s through a series of photographs taken by Lewis Hine. Learn more about one of the boys through a fascinating history page.
The name Adams Morgan is from the names of two formerly segregated area elementary schools—the older, all-black Thomas P. Morgan Elementary School and the all-white John Quincy Adams Elementary School, which merged in 1955 following desegregation.
It's hard to believe that 2020 is nearly upon us, but it's also hard to imagine what it must have been like on December 31st, 1919 - the last New Year's Eve before Prohibition was enforced. Take a look at this mildly amusing cartoon from The Washington Times.
Take a peek into the past with this old map of Georgetown from 1830. You'll notice the street names have since changed - Wisconsin Ave. was High St. and M St. was Bridge St. - and see the east-west numbered streets. Source: Library of Congress.
This amazing old photo of the White House is from the 1880s. Take a look at this unique view of the President's Mansion from the south. Source: Library of Congress.
Take a look back in time with this old advertisement for 1201 Clifton St. NW in Columbia Heights from 1910. See the original ad and the street view today.
In January 1839, The Baltimore Sun discussed the possibility of retroceding Georgetown to Maryland. Read about it here, plus check out an 1835 map of Washington D.C. to get the full picture.
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!
Working under commissioners that President Washington had appointed in 1790 in accordance with the Residence Act, Major Andrew Ellicott led a team that placed these markers in 1791 and 1792.
Take a look back in time at this photo of the Metro Center area in Washington, D.C. in 1930. Don't miss the Wilkins Coffee sign and a photo of Robert DeNiro's doppelganger from the same era.
Take a look at this cool old 1909 map of the area around Friendship Heights & Chevy Chase. Thanks to GoDCer Claire, we can now explore this part of DC with a vintage map. Enjoy!
