The 1870s were Washington’s great reconstruction decade, driven almost entirely by the ambitions of Alexander “Boss” Shepherd, the city’s territorial governor. Shepherd paved the streets, installed gas lights, and planted trees across the city, essentially inventing the modern Washington streetscape. These posts explore the decade that rebuilt the capital.
Recovering from the emotional trauma of Friday night when the Washington Nationals choked against the Cardinals. It’s a personal Buckner and Bartman moment. Read this post to get insight on how to move on from this heartbreaking loss
Journey back to 1873 and explore the historic Point of Rocks Railroad Station, still used as a daily commuter station for the MARC train. Learn more about its design and its role in connecting Washington to the West.
Eastern Market opened on Capitol Hill in 1873. Capitol Hill refused when the city proposed replacing it with a suburban grocery.
The Stickney House stood at 6th and M NW for a hundred years before the city knocked it down in the 1970s. A parking lot replaced it.
Honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War with Frederick Douglass’ speech, “The Unknown Loyal Dead.” Hear his words and read more about his visit to Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1871.
Discover the unexpected side of Frederick Douglass: the fighter who could joke about stealing something whenever he saw the Capitol Dome in Washington. Read this guest post by John (from The Lion of Anacostia) to explore the complexity of Douglass’ life.
If you’re a history buff — and a presidential history buff — you’re well aware of the 1876 U.S. Presidential election. This is not a post about that. You can read up on the whole election on Wikipedia as well as the resulting “corrupt bargain,” the Compromise of 1877 — ending military occupation of the southern … Read more
Murder Bay was the violent, vice-ridden neighborhood just east of the White House, now buried under the Federal Triangle. Here is what it looked like.
Construction of the Washington Monument began July 4, 1848 and took 36 years — interrupted by the Civil War and a funding crisis. Here’s the full story of its design, its capstone, and why the bottom third is a different color.
