1870s Archives - Ghosts of DC

Early Proposed Drawings of the Library of Congress

December 18, 2022December 30, 2021 by ghostsofdc

Some amazing old drawings of what our Library of Congress could have looked like.

23 Detailed Maps of Washington, D.C. in 1874

January 15, 2023January 31, 2020 by ghostsofdc

These are old maps of Washington in 1874. They’re amazingly detailed and are a “manual for business men.”

Amazing 1870s Railroad Photos of Washington

November 9, 2022April 22, 2019 by ghostsofdc

These 1870s photos are incredible, showing the District just following the Civil War. Click on them for more details.

Tracing the Construction of the Arts and Industries Building on the Mall in Washington, DC

January 30, 2023April 18, 2019 by ghostsofdc

Take a journey through time and explore the construction of the Arts and Industries Building on the Mall in Washington, DC. From the 1879 photo to the 1878 rendering to the finished product, see it all!

A Detailed Look at the Georgetown Map from the Library of Congress

November 9, 2022March 5, 2019 by ghostsofdc

Take a closer look at this detailed map of Georgetown from the Library of Congress. Click on the image for greater details and find out more about this historic map.

Take a Glimpse Into History: Frederick Douglass’s Home on Capitol Hill

November 9, 2022February 20, 2018 by ghostsofdc

1876. Photographer: W.W. Core, Washington, D.C. Frederick Douglass is standing on the front lawn of his home on A Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. Other family members are standing out on the front porch on both side of the houses.

Take a look into history with this grainy image of Frederick Douglass standing in front of his home on Capitol Hill at 320 A St. NE. The home still stands today and you can walk by it, looking almost the same. See it today on Google Street View.

1877 View of the Washington Monument Under Construction as Seen from the Smithsonian

November 9, 2022January 2, 2018 by ghostsofdc

1877 view of the Washington Monument under construction as seen from the Tower of the Smithsonian (now the Smithsonian Castle)

See what the Washington Monument looked like in 1877, as seen from the Tower of the Smithsonian (now the Smithsonian Castle). This stunning view shows the Monument under construction, a testament to the resilience of the nation.