Featured Stories from Ghosts of DC

Private Paul J. McDuff: Rescued from the Ninth-Floor Ledge of the Willard Hotel in 1949

March 3, 2023December 7, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Officers Wallace, Trundle and Johnson (Washington Post)

In June 1949, three D.C. police officers rescued Private Paul J. McDuff from the ninth-floor ledge of the Willard Hotel, as reported in the Washington Post.

A Look Back at the Construction of the Library of Congress in 1893

December 7, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Construction of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., May 10, 1893

Take a look back at the construction of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. from May 10, 1893 with this historic photo from the Library of Congress itself. Click on it for greater detail.

The State Department Refused to Make a Reciprocal Trade Agreement with Cupid: Reflections on Social Interaction in Washington, DC

April 27, 2026October 4, 2012 by ghostsofdc

In this article, we observe a great tongue-in-cheek opening line from the December 2, 1936 copy of the Washington Post. We reflect on the continuity and change of social interaction in DC, from exclusive “hospitalities” to the incorporation of social media.

Exploring the 19th Century Seneca Schoolhouse Museum in Montgomery County, Maryland

September 12, 2012 by ghostsofdc

Take a step back in time and explore the 19th century Seneca Schoolhouse Museum in Montgomery County, Maryland. Built in 1866, the museum offers a glimpse into education of the time and the history of the local area.

Capitalsaurus: History of Washington DC’s Official Dinosaur

May 6, 2026August 28, 2012 by ghostsofdc

In 1898, workers digging a sewer line at 1st and F Streets SE found bones that would eventually become Washington DC’s official dinosaur. Here is the full story of Capitalsaurus.

The Wildest Chase and Battle: Police Battle With Rum Car in DC in 1921

December 20, 2021August 14, 2012 by ghostsofdc

er a thrilling chase through the busiest streets of Washington, ... a couple of bootleggers and their car come to grief at the hands of the Capitol police - January 21st, 1922

Get a glimpse of the wild side of DC in 1921 with this story of a police battle with a rum car! Read about the daring chase and thrilling battle between the detectives and bootleggers.

President Kennedy’s Non-Political Texas Trip, Two Days Before He Was Assassinated

April 27, 2026August 13, 2012 by ghostsofdc

President and Mrs. Kennedy arrive in San Antonio - November 21st, 1963 (Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum)

If you read this piece in the Washington Post on Wednesday morning, November 20th, 1963, you probably didn’t think much of it.

President Kennedy was making a trip to Texas, the Vice President’s home state. The White House explicitly stated that the event was nonpolitical, but without a doubt, there were some political undertones for this trip.

It was time to start thinking about the 1964 election and the Kennedy-Johnson ticket had barely won Texas in the last election. The President intended to go down and mend some fences within the Texas Democratic Party and get them primed for the 1964 election.

President Kennedy will make five speeches in Texas Thursday and Friday, attend two receptions and spend a night at the ranch of Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Mrs. Kennedy will accompany her husband on the trek, described by the White house as “nonpolitical.”
Pierre Salinger, White House Press Secretary, said yesterday that he expects Mrs. Kenndy [sic] to be with the President at most of his public appearances in Texas.
Mr. Kennedy will fly from Washington to San Antonio Thursday morning, make a speech there, and proceed to Houston where he will address an evening testimonial dinner for Rep. Albert Thomas (D-Tex.)
On Friday evening, the President and Mrs. Kennedy will go by helicopter from Austin to the Johnson City ranch of the Vice President.
Salinger said the Kennedys probably would return to Washington by mid-afternoon on Saturday.
The White House also announced that President Kennedy will spend Thanksgiving Day at the traditional Kennedy family gathering at Hyannis Port, Mass.
He also plans to attend the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 30, and probably will fly there from Hyannis Port, Salinger said.

Two days later, Lyndon Johnson was president.

President Kennedy greets the crowd at rally in Fort Worth - November 22nd, 1963 — President Kennedy greets the crowd at rally in Fort Worth – November 22nd, 1963

Take a look at this video we found on HuffPost. This is raw (silent) footage from Kennedy’s last night in Houston, the day before he went to Dallas.

The U.S. Capitol Under Construction in 1858

May 6, 2026June 21, 2012 by ghostsofdc

photograph of the Capitol under construction in 1858

Take a look at this rare photograph of the U.S. Capitol under construction in 1858. View the amazing details and stores lining Pennsylvania Ave before the Civil War. Click for the higher resolution image!

Frederick Douglass, Interested Spectator as Cuban Giants Defeat All-Washington Club in an 1891 Baseball Game

May 6, 2026June 6, 2012 by ghostsofdc

In late summer 1891 Frederick Douglass returned to the United States and attended a baseball game between the Cuban Giants and an All-Washington club. He was one of nearly 900 people in attendance. The Giants defeated the Washington team by a score of 8 to 5.