This series of maps shows property values, pavement times, public schools, railroads, street sweeping schedules and more. Don't miss these incredible maps showing 1880s life in Washington.

The original statue of Samuel DuPont sat for more than a generation at the center of Dupont Circle. Then it was removed because people thought it was ugly. Read the story to learn more.

The first overland long-distance telegraph line in the United States was between Baltimore and Washington in 1843. This map shows all telegraph lines in Washington in 1880.

The Bartholdi Fountain on Capitol Hill was almost moved to Dupont Circle at the request of James Blaine. Until history intervened.

Learn about Charles Guiteau's time in Washington before he assassinated President James Garfield. He believed he had played a major role in Garfield's election victory, for which he should have been rewarded with a consulship.

Do you know why we have a neighborhood named after a Caribbean island? Find out how it's related to today's George Washington University too.

One of the most beautiful buildings in Washington, the Old Executive Office Building looked like this while it was being built.

Terrific old photo of the Washington Monument being dedicated in 1885. Check out the amazing details.

Washington Monument under construction with U.S. Fish Commission hatching ponds in the foreground and Bureau of Engraving and Printing building in the background.

What is a zymotic disease? This is a map of deaths due to this disease in 1892. Find out what that means.

What a sad map of the District. This shows the deaths in Washington from lung disease in 1888.

An 1890s map of Washington, DC and deaths related to diarrhea, heavily concentrated in Swampoodle and Murder Bay.

Adams Morgan didn't exist in 1888. Read this story to learn the history of how it came to be known as Adams Morgan. We also have a great map showing Adams Morgan when it was very rural.

A scene was enacted just outside the National Theatre last night at the close of the performance which may end in a divorce suit.

At the time, Grover Cleveland lived north of the city in a lovely old estate called Oak Hill. Eventually, the neighborhood that grew up around his home was named for him: "Cleveland Park".

This amazing old photo of the White House is from the 1880s. Take a look at this unique view of the President's Mansion from the south. Source: Library of Congress.

Take a look at this fascinating photo from 1885! Uncovering the past, this photo from the Library of Congress shows a man and a boy in summer straw hats happily displaying some unidentifiable papers on F Street.

This old photograph from the 1880s shows the Washington Nationals playing at Swampoodle Grounds. Click on the image to see amazing details. Source: Architect of the Capitol.

Discover the origins of Columbia Heights in this 1885 map. It shows what would become the northern part of Columbia Heights and points to the street name changes that took place. Click through to view the full-sized map!

Explore these fascinating maps of Washington DC from 1885, which may not seem interesting to you at first, but are sure to draw your attention once you click on them and see the details.

Do you know any of these old Georgetown neighborhoods? Here is an old map of Georgetown from 1885. Plat of the tracts of land called “Mill Seat,” “Philadelphia,” and “Frogland,” from the original patents as located in Georgetown D.C. / B.D. Carpenter, surveyor. Source: Library of Congress

Take a look at this plan for LeDroit Park from back in 1880, and learn the story behind why it was named LeDroit Park. Source: Library of Congress.

Explore three amazing old baseball finds from the 1886 Washington Nationals, including a scorecard, boxscore and advertisements from the time. With the Nats finishing 28-92 that season, explore the great history of baseball here.

Take a step back in time to 1881 Washington D.C. and Georgetown, where a smallpox patient was roaming the streets and spreading infection. Read the story of how it was dealt with in this article from The Washington Post.

What is today Cleveland Park was an area for well-off Washingtonians to build their summer cottages. It was far enough away from swampy hot downtown and elevated to provide some breezy relief.

Explore an incredible old map from 1887 of Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights. See old street names and the Columbia College Subdivision. Click through to see greater details.

In this blog post, explore the transportation used by U.S. presidents before the iconic Air Force One. Take a look at the presidential trains, ships, and more used throughout history!

Check out this incredible old map of Washington, DC from 1887. See how the city and its environs looked over 130 years ago and explore the points of interest within a 20 mile radius of the Capitol.

Check out this beautiful old map of Rockville, Maryland from 1887.

Explore Washington D.C. as it appeared in 1883 with this amazing map. Click on it for a larger version and learn more about the national capital from the Library of Congress.