Ford’s Theatre Collapsed in 1893 and Took 22 Lives With It
On June 9, 1893, the floors of Ford’s Theatre pancaked into the basement, killing 22 federal clerks 28 years after Lincoln was shot in the same building.
Featured
Posts the Ghosts of DC editors hand-pick from the archive. The strange, the vivid, and the ones worth pulling back to the front page after a few years buried.
Washington’s First AI Panic Happened in 1950
AI anxiety isn’t new. In 1949, an MIT professor turned down a corporate contract because he feared machines would replace human judgment. A year later, Washington had its own “electronic brain” on Connecticut Avenue. We’ve been having this argument for 75 years.
The Tombs in Georgetown: The Bar That Inspired St. Elmo’s Fire
Discover the real-life inspiration for St. Elmo’s Bar from the iconic 1985 movie. Georgetown’s The Tombs played a starring role in shaping this classic spot.
When Did Metro Open in D.C.?
Washington’s Metro opened on March 27, 1976, with 4.6 miles of track between Rhode Island Avenue and Farragut North. All rides were free.
A Blast from the Past: 7th and Pennsylvania Ave. During World War I
Take a step back in time with this incredible old photo of 7th and Pennsylvania Ave. during World War I. Get a glimpse of what the streets of DC looked like during the war
Exploring a 1906 Coca-Cola Ad and the Dreyfus Affair
We love old ads here at Ghosts of DC and this is a great one from The Evening Star, printed on June 24th, 1906. Three weeks later, Alfred Dreyfus was exonerated, bringing an end to the Dreyfus Affair.
How Cleveland Park Got Its Name
In the late 1800s, Cleveland Park was a summer retreat for wealthy Washingtonians, elevated and breezy, far from downtown’s heat.
Check Out These Great Old Team Photos of Georgetown Prep’s JV Basketball Team From 1911
Check out these amazing old team photos of Georgetown Prep’s JV basketball team from 1911. Amazing uniforms! See the current team photo too.
The Tragic 1969 Shooting on 13th Street in Washington, DC and the Return of Apollo 10
On May 26th, 1969, an argument over a dog ended in tragedy with the fatal shooting of William Fields Jr. in 13th Street NW Washington, DC. On the same day, Apollo 10 returned to Earth after NASA’s final test runs for the mission to the moon.