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Old Ads & Classifieds

Old ads and classifieds from Washington, DC newspapers, offering a window into daily life across the decades.

Rosslyn City in 1889: The Vision of Becoming Washington’s Brooklyn

November 6, 2023 by ghostsofdc
Rosslyn City, the Brooklyn of Washington - 1889

Explore the 1889 ambition of Rosslyn City, touted as the “Brooklyn of Washington,” and its emblematic journey of urban aspirations and challenges.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1880s, Arlington, Rosslyn

1922 Ad Reveals How Electric Railways Transformed Arlington

October 29, 2023 by ghostsofdc

Electric railways drove Arlington’s transformation from rural to suburban between 1892-1941. This history shows how rail paved the way for the county’s growth.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1920s, Arlington

1930s Washington D.C. Apartment Listings: A Glimpse into Great Depression Living

May 4, 2026October 15, 2023 by ghostsofdc

Delve into 1930s Washington D.C. apartment listings and discover how the Great Depression and the presidential campaign influenced living conditions. Explore affordable rents, modern amenities, and the challenges faced by residents in this historic era.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1930s, Architecture, Notable People

Can You Find These Homes Today? I Did Some Sleuthing and This is What I Found

October 22, 2023August 8, 2023 by ghostsofdc
Alexandria real estate advertisement (1920)

Can you find the homes shown in this 1920 Alexandria real estate advertisement? I did some sleuthing and this is what I found. Take a look at the Google Street View and see what you think! Plus, a super random historical context about George Gipp.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1920s, Alexandria 2 Comments

This Great Old Advertisement from The Washington Times: Printed in 1903

October 22, 2023August 1, 2023 by ghostsofdc

Unearth the charm of vintage advertising! Step back to May 1903 with an enchanting piece from The Washington Times.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1900s, Chevy Chase

A Look Back to 1907: An Advertisement for Silver Spring Park

October 22, 2023July 7, 2023 by ghostsofdc
1907 advertisement for Silver Spring Park

Take a look back to 1907 with this advertisement for Silver Spring Park, printed in The Washington Times. See the history of the park and its attractions and offerings in this vintage ad.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1900s, Silver Spring MD

Check Out This 1907 Advertisement for Homes in Adams Morgan and Mt. Pleasant

October 22, 2023May 11, 2023 by ghostsofdc
advertisement for homes in 1907

Take a step back in time and check out this advertisement for homes in Adams Morgan and Mt. Pleasant from December 7th, 1907. Printed in The Evening Star, this is so cool!

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1900s, Adams Morgan, Mt. Pleasant

Old Dutch Market: Dupont Circle’s Grocer That Vanished

January 18, 2023January 17, 2023 by ghostsofdc

The Old Dutch Market at Dupont Circle is now occupied by CVS. It was a thriving business in DC through the 1920s. See their launch ad and learn more about what happened to them.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds, Then and Now Tags 1910s, Dupont Circle

Three Houses for Sale the Day of Pearl Harbor

January 14, 2023January 14, 2023 by ghostsofdc

These three houses were advertised for sale in the Washington Post on December 7th, 1941. Help us identify the 565-acre estate in Warrenton, Virginia.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds, Three Things... Tags 1940s, World War II
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