Faces & Places of Yesterday

Photos of yesterday, featuring regular people and regular places.

Photograph shows a group of motorcycle policemen, from left to right: "Sergt. J.E. Boyle, L.F. Reilly, W.D. Vaughn, F.S. Tyser, L.D. Redman, D.E. Gailmore, G.P. Waite, R.H. Mansfield, G.M. Little, A. Shockey, W.C. Lewis, [and] Capt. J.A. Abbott" with view of the U.S. Capitol in the background.

Washington’s Metropolitan Policemen on Motorcycle

This is an awesome photograph of Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department in 1922, on their motorcycles. (I’d hate to be the guy riding in the sidecar.) The photo was taken on April 26th, 1922.
Fans outside Griffith Stadium on October 10th, 1924

Ghostly Image of Fans Waiting for 1924 Washington Senators

I love these old crowd shots. You can pick out some fascinating faces and some ghostly ones. This photograph is from October 10th, 1924 and the team just won the World Series, beating the New York...
Visitors waiting in line to shake hands with the President (circa 1921)

Visitors Wait For Hours to Shake President Coolidge’s Hand

Times sure were different. Check out this photo of a massive crowd pushing their way into the White House. They’re all waiting just to shake the hand of President Calvin Coolidge.
1921 Baltimore Orioles

The 1921 Baltimore Orioles

For over 30 years, the O’s were our default baseball team. So I think it’s okay if we share this photograph of the 1921 Baltimore Orioles. At the time, they were Class AA in the International...
1908 Washington Senators

The 1908 Washington Ball Team

Here is a great old photograph of the 1908 Washington Senators. They were 67-85 that year 22.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers for the pennant.
The Pennsylvania Railroad's "The Senator" in 1929

The Senator of the Pennsylvania Railroad

Check out this awesome photo of “The Senator” … this was a Pennsylvania Railroad train from back in 1929. Thanks Shorpy!  
West Potomac Park flowers (1921)

Beautiful Colorized Photo of West Potomac Park (1921)

This is a terrific old colorized photo by Frances Benjamin Johnston from 1921.
Officer Edgar E. Porter, full-length portrait, seated on a chair, holding two children on his lap and with several children standing to his right and left during the annual White House Easter egg roll.

Officer Porter and Lost Kids at the White House Easter Egg Roll

What a great photograph from the olden days. This one is from April 2nd, 1923. Officer Edgar E. Porter is pictured with a group of children at the White House Easter Egg Roll. Okay, so these...
Bury's drug store around 1919

Then and Now: Bury’s Drug Store to Uniontown Bar and Grill

Well, this was a hopefully step to revitalize Anacostia, but the most recent owner made a couple bad decisions. Here is the building as it looked around 1919 as Bury’s drug store. And below is the...
view of Washington from the east

Incredible Aerial Views of D.C. From Anacostia

Here is a great series of photographs, showing Washington in the 1960s, as viewed from the east.
street scene at 11th and F St. in 1910s

Amazing Street Scene at 11th and F in the 1910s

You’ll probably waste about 15 minutes of your day studying this photograph. It shows the intersection of 11th and F St. NW in the 1910s.
streetcars on New York Ave. (Library of Congress)

Streetcars at 15th and New York Avenue

We love these old photos. This one shows streetcars waiting at 15th and New York Ave. NW, near the White House and Department of Treasury.
waiter at Herzog's

Lost History: Herzog’s Famous Sea Food Restaurant

This is another shameful loss for Washington. The waterfront in SW used to be teeming with activity. (The fish market is really cool if you haven’t been.) The District is trying to reinvest and bring it...
Marjorie Morris Sinclair interview

A GoDCer Finds the “Whoopee” Party Girl!

I love when this stuff happens. GoDCer Steve did a little Googling and came up with this amazing piece of Internet gold. Remember Marjorie Morris? The intrepid young Washingtonian, noted for her adventures in Chevy Chase? We wrote...
what is this?

Hey GoDCers, Please Help … Where Is This?

Any idea what this is and where it is (or was)? GoDCer Christina sent this along yesterday and wants everyone’s help in identifying it. So, put your thoughts in the comments below.
February 1913. "Woman suffrage -- hikers arriving in Washington from New York." Today marks the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. Over the next few days we'll post some more suffrage photos. Harris & Ewing glass negative.

Pennsylvania Avenue in February 1913

I’m a little late to the game on this, but I had been meaning to share this after I saw it posted on Twitter by Michael Beschloss. The best part is zooming in on the photo....
Photograph showing the General Post Office building in Washington, D.C. (1860-1878)

Old Post Office on F Street in the 1860s

Here is a terrific old photograph of the old post office on F St. back during the 1860s.
Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Peoples Drug Store, 14th & U." A nighttime view of the store seen here and here and here. Your headquarters for "tar bags."

OMG 900th Post! … People’s Drug in the 1920s

For our 900th post (OMG!), we are sharing this series of amazing old photos of People’s Drug Store No. 3. This store was at 14th and U and the photographs are from the 1920s. We love...
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