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Lost History

These are sad stories about things that no longer exist in Washington, D.C.

Exploring the History of Childs Restaurant in Washington, DC

November 9, 2022March 18, 2015 by ghostsofdc
The Pennsylvania Avenue Childs around 1917

Discover the fascinating history of Childs Restaurant in Washington, DC – the chain that originated in New York City and spread southward. Learn about the unique building of the Massachusetts Ave. location and more.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, Guest Posts, Lost History Tags 1920s 2 Comments

Washington Monument Almost Built As Pyramid

November 9, 2022March 17, 2015 by ghostsofdc
Monument ("Washington Monument"), Washington, D.C. Rendered perspective

What if the Washington Monument was built as a pyramid instead of an obelisk? It could have been if this design came to fruition.

Categories Lost History Tags 1790s, Benjamin Latrobe, Washington Monument

Exploring the History of the Iconic Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington DC

November 9, 2022February 10, 2015 by ghostsofdc
View of house at 800 16th Street NW once occupied by Secretary of State John Hay (1898-1905).

Take a look into the history of the iconic Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington DC. Learn about the home of former Secretary of State John Hay and view rare photos from 1888 and 1898.

Categories Lost History Tags 1890s, Hay-Adams Hotel, John Hay 5 Comments

A Look Back at the 1971 Maps Showing I-95 Cutting Through D.C.

November 9, 2022November 28, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Notice the decked/tunneled section south of Fort Totten, then the over 90-degree turn to the east, then the decked/tunneled section between Galloway Street and Gallatin Street, with the Metrorail Glenmont Route (Red Line trains) following the North Central Freeway (I-95 south of Fort Totten and I-70S north of Fort Totten), and with the Metrorail Greenbelt Route (Green Line trains) following the Northeast Freeway (I-95 east of Fort Totten). The area between Galloway Street and Gallatin Street where the Northeast Freeway was proposed was mostly open fields then and still is now.

Take a look back at 1971 maps of what could have been I-95 cutting through D.C. Today, what is now 395, ends at New York Ave. NW. Get a glimpse into what could have been with these fascinating maps from 1971.

Categories Lost History Tags 1970s, highways 4 Comments

1968 War Over D.C. Interstate Highways

November 9, 2022November 25, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Proposed 1968 highways

Why are there no interstate highways cutting through Washington? It’s one of the few cities without a major highway right through it. Learn the history going back to the 1960s.

Categories Lost History Tags 1960s, highways 9 Comments

A Look Back at Tunnicliff’s Tavern: An Incredible 1929 Photo

November 9, 2022October 17, 2014 by ghostsofdc
View of the south and east elevations of a tavern, historically known as Tunnicliff's Tavern, at Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street SE.

Take a fascinating look back in time to 1929 and view an incredible photo of Tunnicliff’s Tavern. See the historical building in its former glory before it had seen better days.

Categories Lost History Tags 1920s, Tunnicliff's Tavern

Exploring the Proposed Design for the Smithsonian Castle in 1846

December 19, 2021September 4, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Proposed design for Smithsonian Institution Building by John Notman, north front elevation. It is a Gothic design with three stories, a central tower/cupola, crenellated embattlements, and symmetrical wings. The design was submitted for the competition sponsored by the Building Committee of the Board of Regents, December 23, 1846

Discover the proposed design for the Smithsonian Castle from 1846. Learn about the Gothic design with three stories, a central tower/cupola, crenellated embattlements, and symmetrical wings from the Building Committee of the Board of Regents.

Categories Lost History Tags 1840s, Smithsonian 1 Comment

The Rise and Fall of Herbert Haft’s Columbia Heights Development Agreement

October 23, 2021August 30, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Columbia Heights

Discover the story of Herbert Haft’s Columbia Heights development agreement, which was canceled after 15 years of litigation and very little construction. Learn how the area has been transformed since then.

Categories Lost History Tags 1960s, Columbia Heights, Herbert Haft 1 Comment

The Sad Tale of the Destruction of a Beautiful Old Church in the Name of Progress

December 19, 2021August 26, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Circa 1924, "Metropolitan Methodist Church, C Street, Washington, D.C." And the Ford building next door. National Photo Company glass negative. View full size. The church, at C Street NW and John Marshall Place, was abandoned and razed after the congregation moved to its Nebraska Avenue location in the 1930s. The 1905 Ford Motor Co. building on Pennsylvania Avenue was torn down in 1980.

What a sad tale of progress – a beautiful old church, destroyed in the name of progress. Read the story of how this once grand building was lost forever, and the impact it had on its community.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, Lost History Tags 1920s 1 Comment

It’s a Damn Shame: The Demolition of D.C. from the 1950s to the 1980s

March 14, 2022August 25, 2014 by ghostsofdc
(right) The Munsey Building, built in 1905 and demolished in 1980; (left) the Washington Post Building (also demolished)

It’s a sad fact that much of D.C. was demolished from the 1950s through the 1980s. Read the full story to learn more about this damn shame and the major influence of Gilded Age capitalist Frank Munsey.

Categories Lost History Tags 1920s, 1980s 1 Comment
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