A Rare Glimpse of Chain Bridge in 1861
We recently came across a rare picture of Chain Bridge in 1861. Click through to read more and see this historic image from the Library of Congress.
1860s
Washington spent most of the 1860s as a city at war. The Capitol dome was still under construction when the fighting started, and the city filled with soldiers, contraband camps, and field hospitals. Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre in April 1865. These are 139 stories from the decade that defined the District.
Uncovering the Sad Truth: Slave Pens Were Everywhere in Washington in the 1860s
Uncovering the sad truth of the past, Slave Pens existed in and around all of Washington in the 1860s. This photo shows one of those in Alexandria during the 1860s. Learn more at the Library of Congress.
Civil War Photos of Alexandria, VA: The Steam Frigate Pensacola in 1861
Civil War photographs taken in Alexandria, VA in 1861, featuring the steam frigate USS Pensacola docked along the Potomac.
F Street, Washington, D.C. in the 1860s: A Photo from the End of the Civil War
A Civil War-era photograph looking down F Street in Washington, D.C. Click through for the full-resolution version to pick out storefronts and landmarks.
A Look Back at the Treasury Building in 1860 Before the Civil War
Take a look back at the Treasury Building before the Civil War in 1860 with a photo from the Library of Congress. Learn more about this historic building from this blog post.
A Closer Look at the Old State Department Building During the Civil War
Get a better look at the Old State Department Building during the Civil War with this amazing photo. Click on it for some amazing details and find out why there are a large number of wooden boxes at the main entrance to the building.
Take a Look Back in Time with this 1861 Photo of Washington, DC
Take a step back in time with this 1861 photo of Washington, DC. Click on it for a larger version and marvel at the history of our nation’s capital
Exploring Columbia Heights in 1869 with John Sherman’s Subdivision
Take a look back in time and explore Columbia Heights in 1869 with John Sherman’s Subdivision. This property map is full of interesting details, like old street names and the location of Pierce’s Mill. Click to learn more!
The U.S. Capitol During the Civil War
A rare photograph captures the Capitol’s cast-iron dome still half-built during the early days of the Civil War, scaffolding climbing into the sky.