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.
Take a look at these incredible Civil War photos of Alexandria, VA from 1861. See the steam frigate Pensacola in all its glory and click on it for some amazing details
![View on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.[Soldiers, civilians and children stand in front of a large brick corner building.]](https://ghostsofdc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/03/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47dd-e7cc-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.g.jpg)
This photo captures a captivating moment in time on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1865 at the end of the Civil War. See the soldiers, civilians and children standing in front of a large brick building in this amazing image from the New York Public Library.
Take a closer look at this incredible image from the end of the Civil War. It shows F Street in the 1860s and the details are quite incredible when you click on the photo. Can you figure out where this is exactly?
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.
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 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
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!
Take a look at this rare photo of the Capitol Building just after the new dome was completed in 1863. A stunning view of the Capitol from the Library of Congress!
Take a look at this rare photo of the Capitol Dome under construction during the early days of the Civil War. View this amazing piece of American history captured in time.
