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1850s

Uncovering a Fascinating Old Advertisement Sent in by a GoDCer

January 13, 2022January 6, 2014 by ghostsofdc
Fisks' burial cases - 1853

Discover a fascinating old advertisement sent in by a GoDCer. Nancy sent in an old ad for her great-great grandfather’s business. See the ad and learn more about its history.

Categories From GoDCers, Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1850s

Exploring an 1857 View of Washington, D.C. with the Smithsonian in the Distance

March 28, 2022December 19, 2013 by ghostsofdc

Explore an 1857 view of Washington, D.C. with the Smithsonian in the distance. Click on the image for a larger version to study. See if you can spot the Washington Monument just out of the frame on the right.

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, The Best Of Tags 1850s, Smithsonian 4 Comments

First Jewish Senator Supported Florida’s Secession

March 6, 2022November 26, 2013 by ghostsofdc
David L. Yulee (U.S. National Archives)

David Levy Yulee, of Florida, was not only one of the first senators from that state, but he was also the first Jewish senator.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1840s, 1850s, 1860s 1 Comment

What Good Hope Hill in Anacostia was Like in 1857: Earn $200 Per Year as a Sober Gardener!

January 1, 2022October 5, 2013 by ghostsofdc
February 27th, 1857

Learn what Good Hope Hill in Anacostia was like in 1857 – and how a sober gardener could earn $200 per year! Later, it was the location of the German Orphan Home.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1850s, Anacostia 2 Comments

How Much Was a Train Ticket from Washington to St. Louis in 1854?

March 9, 2022September 3, 2013 by ghostsofdc
1854 train tickets

How much did a train ticket cost from Washington to St. Louis in 1854? We found the answer in an old advertisement: $26.50 – roughly $660 in today’s money. Compare this with a flight today, which costs around $280.

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1850s

A Fascinating Look at Old Photos of Washington D.C.

August 14, 2013 by ghostsofdc

Here is an interesting video that we found, showing a collection of really old photos of D.C.

 

Categories Faces & Places of Yesterday, Featured Tags 1840s, 1850s, movies, videos

Unsolved Mystery: The Stolen Sailboat of 1854

August 4, 2013 by ghostsofdc
reward for stolen sailboat

Did you know there was a stolen sailboat in 1854? Read the full unsolveted mystery of the stolen boat ad in the Daily Evening Star, July 5th, 1854. Did they ever find the boat?

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1850s 1 Comment

160 Years Ago Today: Montgomery C. Meigs Placed an Advertisement for Skilled Bricklayers to Help Expand the U.S. Capitol

December 20, 2021August 1, 2013 by ghostsofdc
advertisement for bricklayers in 1853

160 years ago today, Montgomery C. Meigs placed an advertisement in the Daily Evening Star for skilled bricklayers to help in the expansion of the U.S. Capitol. Check out a great photo from 1858 of the Capitol under construction!

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1850s, Montgomery Meigs, The Capitol Building

A Look Back at an Old Omnibus Advertisement from 1854

July 29, 2013 by ghostsofdc
omnibus advertisement - July 5th, 1854

Take a look back in time to 1854 with this old omnibus advertisement from the Daily Evening Star. Learn more about the coach service to Alexandria and the history behind it!

Categories Old Ads & Classifieds Tags 1850s, Alexandria VA 1 Comment

1850 Stereoscopic Photo of the President’s Mansion

December 27, 2022July 21, 2013 by ghostsofdc
The President's Manion in 1850

A beautiful stereoscopic image of the President’s mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Categories Notable People & Places Tags 1850s, The White House
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