1872 Street Paving Map of Washington
What were the roads of Washington like in 1872? This great map shows the different paving surfaces throughout the city, including wood, stone and concrete.
GoDCers Love Maps
Historical maps of Washington, DC, from L’Enfant’s plan to twentieth-century plats. Watch the city draw itself in, block by block.
Exploring the Streets of Washington DC Through Maps
Take a journey through the streets of Washington DC with these maps from Greater Greater Washington and Flickr user Matt Johnson. Learn more about the city’s history and explore the different street systems.
Exploring the Past: An 1892 Map of the Rural Area Around Tenley and a 1904 Book About Columbia Heights
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!
Never Built: Proposed University on the National Mall in 1816
Early in the 19th century, there was a proposal to build a national university at the west end of the Mall, where the Lincoln Memorial now sits.
Exploring Upper Northwest Washington in 1892 Through a U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Map
Check out this awesome U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey map from 1892 showing a very rural upper northwest Washington. Take a journey back in time and explore this topographic map of the area surrounding what is now Tenleytown!
The 1891 Map That Shows How Washington Swept Its Streets
An 1891 city map plots Washington’s street-sweeping schedule by district, showing which blocks were cleaned first.
The Coolest Map of Washington, DC Ever: A 1921 Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Map
This is so cool! Check out this incredible map of Washington, DC from 1921, done by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Explore the city like never before!
A Bird’s Eye View of Washington, Looking Toward the Northeast
A 1916 bird’s-eye view of Washington DC looking northeast, from the Library of Congress collection, showing the city’s grid and landmarks before its major 20th-century transformation.
Discovering a Civil War-Era Map of Fairfax County
Explore a Civil War-era map of Fairfax County, Virginia, copied by J. Paul Hoffmann and approved by S. Howell Brown in 1864. Discovered at the Library of Congress.