The Three Sisters: The Cursed Islands in the Potomac River
What is the legend behind Three Sisters Island in the Potomac? It dates back centuries to when the Algonquins lived in what became DC.
The Best Of
The finest stories from Ghosts of DC, curated from years of digging into Washington’s hidden past. The posts our readers return to most.
What Is the History of CIA’s Langley Headquarters?
For years, the CIA’s exit signs read “Bureau of Public Roads.” The agency didn’t confirm its Langley address publicly until 1973.
Why is Washington, DC Called the District of Columbia?
The name ‘District of Columbia’ was chosen on September 9, 1791, to honor both George Washington and Christopher Columbus. Neither was present for the ceremony.
The View from the Capitol Dome in 1863
A panoramic view from the top of the Capitol dome in 1863, looking out over a Washington still under the shadow of the Civil War.
Why Is It Called Chain Bridge? The 1810 Suspension Bridge That Actually Had Chains
The 1810 Chain Bridge at Little Falls hung from 22 tons of iron chain. None of its successors since 1840 have actually had chains.
Why Is There No J Street in Washington, DC?
Washington’s street grid runs A, B, C… I, K, L. There is no J Street, and the John Jay rivalry story is wrong. The real reason is 18th-century typography.
What Is The History of Hell’s Bottom?
Hell’s Bottom was a rough DC neighborhood around 12th and Q NW. In November 1889, three men died in a shootout at Bob Brown’s saloon.
Washington Mormon Temple: The Beltway’s Wizard of Oz Castle
Six spires of Alabama marble, 288 feet tall. The Washington Mormon Temple opened in Kensington in 1974, and someone painted ‘Surrender Dorothy’ on the Beltway.
Three Stories About the Department of Commerce Building
A mile of hallways, 3,700 radiators weighing 420 tons, and a basement aquarium running since 1932. That’s the Commerce Department.